2025 Christchurch City Council election

2025 Christchurch City Council election
11 October 2025
TurnoutTBD
Mayor before election

Phil Mauger
Independent

Elected mayor

TBD

Council election
All 16 ward seats on the Christchurch City Council
Affiliation Seats Change
  Independents 8
  The People's Choice 3
  The People's Choice – Labour 2
  Independent Citizens 2
  Labour 1
Popular vote share of elected councillors by ward

The 2025 Christchurch City Council election is an upcoming local election to be held from 9 September to 11 October in Christchurch, New Zealand, as part of that year's nation-wide local elections. Voters will elect the mayor of Christchurch, 16 city councillors, and other local representatives for the 2025–2028 term of the Christchurch City Council. Postal voting and the first-past-the-post voting system will be used.

Key dates

  • 4 July 2025: Nominations for candidates will open
  • 1 August 2025: Nominations for candidates will close at 12 noon
  • 9 September 2025: Voting documents will be posted and voting will open
  • 11 October 2025: Voting will close at 12 noon and progress/preliminary results will be published
  • 16–19 October 2025: Final results will be declared.[1][2]

Background

Positions up for election

Voters in the city will elect the mayor of Christchurch, 16 councillors in 16 wards, and the members of six community boards.[a][3] They will also elect several members of Environment Canterbury.[b][4]

Campaign

Mayor

Main article: 2025 Christchurch mayoral election § Campaign

Council

List of candidates

Incumbents not seeking re-election

  • Sara Templeton will not stand again in the Heathcote ward to focus on the mayoral campaign.[5]
  • James Gough, councillor for the Fendalton ward since 2010, had initially indicated that he would run for re-election[6] but announced in late July that he would stand down to take up a role as executive director at The Terrace[7][8]

Mayor

Main article: 2025 Christchurch mayoral election § List of candidates

Incumbent mayor Phil Mauger announced he would stand for re-election. He would face Heathcote ward councillor Sara Templeton and perennial candidate Tubby Hansen.[9][10]

Councillors

Each of the 16 wards will return one councillor to the city council.[11] The People's Choice will stand candidates in nine of the wards, including their six incumbents.[12]

Harewood ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Aaron Keown Independent Candidate for Harewood Incumbent councillor[14][15]

As the only candidate, Keown is re-elected unopposed.[16]

Waimairi ward

Candidate[10] Photo Affiliation[c] Notes
Sam MacDonald Independent Citizens Incumbent councillor[17][15]

As the only candidate, MacDonald is re-elected unopposed.[16]

Papanui ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Simon Britten The People's Choice Currently deputy chair of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board,[12] and Green Party member[18]
Victoria Henstock Your Local Independent Community Voice Incumbent councillor[19][15]

Fendalton ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
David Cartwright Independent Citizens Incumbent Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood community board member[20]
Xavier Dickason For Fendalton's Future
Diane Ellis Independent

Innes ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Pauline Cotter The People's Choice Deputy mayor and councillor since 2013[21][12][15]
Ali Jones Independent Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central community board member since 2013, and former councillor 2013–2016. Also community board chair. [21]

Burwood ward

Candidate Affiliation[c] Notes
Kelly Barber[10] Independent for Burwood Incumbent councillor[22][15]
Fionna Chapman The People's Choice – Labour Community worker[12]

Coastal ward

Candidate[10] Photo Affiliation[c] Notes
Taraia Brown Independent
Celeste Donovan Independent Incumbent councillor[15][23]
Jo Zervos Independent Incumbent Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood community board member[24][25][23]

Hornby ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Mark Peters Independent for Hornby Incumbent councillor[26][15]

As the only candidate, Peters is re-elected unopposed.[16]

Halswell ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Andrei Moore Independent Incumbent councillor[27][15]
Dylan Smart Independent Citizens [28]

Riccarton ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Mark Chirnside None
Tyla Harrison-Hunt The People's Choice Incumbent since 2022[12][29][15]
Debbie Mora Independent – Back to Common Sense Incumbent board member of the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton community board[30]
Tony Simons Independent – for Riccarton Riccarton Bush-Kilmarnock Residents Association chair and former journalist[31]
Sam Yau Independent

Spreydon ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Melanie Coker The People's Choice – Labour Incumbent since 2019[12][15]
Terry Craze Centre-right. People-Powered Voice Previously ran for council in 2022[32]
Tubby Hansen Leave Commonwealth, leave Anzus Perennial candidate since 1969.[33] Also running for mayor.
Ben Yorston None

Central ward

Candidate[10] Photo Affiliation[c] Notes
Hayley Guglietta Truly Independent Community advocate[34][35]
Raf Manji Independent Former councillor for the Fendalton-Waimairi Ward from 2013 to 2016 and Waimairi Ward from 2016 to 2019[36]
Jake McLellan Labour Incumbent since 2019[12][15]
Mace Reid Independent
Tom Roud Alliance Library worker and union delegate[37]

Cashmere ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Clare Marks Independent
Tim Scandrett Independent Incumbent councillor[15]

Linwood ward

Candidate[10] Photo Affiliation[c] Notes
Evan Baker Independent
Ethan Gullery Independent
Yani Johanson The People's Choice – Labour Incumbent since 2007[12][15]

Heathcote ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Nathaniel Herz Jardine The People's Choice Living wage advocate[12]
Ian Kearney Independent Lawyer[38]

Banks Peninsula ward

Candidate[10] Affiliation[c] Notes
Dave Dunlay Independent for Banks Peninsula Local media personality[39]
Tyrone Fields The People's Choice Incumbent since 2022[12][15]

Withdrawn candidates

  • James Daniels, former councillor for the Coastal Ward from 2019 to 2021 had announced in May that he was standing for council again.[40] However, in late July he withdrew from the race citing a change to his personal circumstances.[41][23]

Notes

  1. ^
    • Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood
    • Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central
    • Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote
    • Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton
    • Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula
  2. ^ 2 members each from the Christchurch North / Orēi, West / Ōpuna, Central / Ōhoko, and South / Ōwhanga constituencies).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p A candidate may leave their affiliation blank, run as an independent, or run with an affiliation to an organisation, local body ticket or political party. Christchurch City Council does not allow whānau, hapū, or iwi details to be used for the affiliation.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Elections". ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Local elections". www.ecan.govt.nz. Environment Canterbury. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Community Boards". ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Representation review". haveyoursay.ecan.govt.nz. Environment Canterbury. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  5. ^ Law, Tina (11 October 2024). "Sara Templeton announces bid for Christchurch mayoralty". The Press. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  6. ^ Lynch, Chris (20 July 2025). "Council Re-Election Interview: James Gough". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  7. ^ Law, Tina (30 July 2025). "Long-time councillor calls it quits ahead of election". The Press. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Outgoing city councillor leaves behind 'more friends than foes'". Star News. Otago Daily Times. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  9. ^ Manhire, Toby (7 February 2025). "Who is in and who is out in the big mayoral races of 2025?". The Spinoff. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "2025 Triennial Elections | Christchurch City Council". electionz.com. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Voting and special voting". ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Smits, Dylan. "People's Choice won't contest four swing wards, line-up shows". The Star. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Pukapuka Aratohu Kaitonopōti | Candidate Handbook" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. p. 23. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  14. ^ Lynch, Chris (6 July 2025). "Council Re-election Interviews: Aaron Keown". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Deputy Mayor and Councillors". ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  16. ^ a b c Lynch, Chris (1 August 2025). "Sam MacDonald among three councillors re-elected unopposed in Christchurch". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  17. ^ Lynch, Chris (19 July 2025). "Council Re-elections: Sam MacDonald". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  18. ^ "Simon Britten". www.greens.org.nz. Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  19. ^ Lynch, Chris (29 June 2025). "Victoria Henstock announces bid for re-election in Papanui". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  20. ^ Lynch, Chris (30 July 2025). "David Cartwright announces candidacy for Fendalton seat on Christchurch City Council". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  21. ^ a b Alvey, Daniel (30 January 2025). "Ali Jones makes bid to oust Christchurch's deputy mayor". Star News. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  22. ^ Lynch, Chris (3 July 2025). "Burwood councillor confirms bid for re-election". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  23. ^ a b c Lynch, Chris (1 August 2025). "Tyrone Fields criticises James Daniels over Coastal Ward". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  24. ^ Smits, Dylan (29 May 2025). "Jo Zervos denies she was asked to 'step aside' for James Daniels". Star News. Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  25. ^ Lynch, Chris (29 April 2025). "Community board member Jo Zervos announces run for council". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  26. ^ Lynch, Chris (29 June 2025). "Hornby councillor Mark Peters confirms re-election bid". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  27. ^ Lynch, Chris (7 July 2025). "Council Re-election Interviews: Andrei Moore". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  28. ^ Lynch, Chris (13 July 2025). "Christchurch university student to contest Council and Community Board seats in Halswell". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  29. ^ Walton, Steven; Law, Tina (22 October 2022). "Who are Christchurch's six new councillors and what do they want to achieve?". The Press. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  30. ^ "Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board". Kōrero mai | Let’s talk. Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  31. ^ Smits, Dylan (23 January 2025). "Residents' advocate wants seat at Christchurch council table". Star News. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  32. ^ "Spreydon Ward". ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  33. ^ Gates, Charlie (1 October 2022). "Tubby Hansen, the man who has run unsuccessfully in every Christchurch election since 1969". Stuff. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  34. ^ Law, Tina (22 July 2022). "River red zone campaigner eyes seat on Christchurch council". The Press. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  35. ^ Lynch, Chris (22 July 2025). "Hayley Guglietta announces Christchurch City Council bid, calling for change in culture and collaboration". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  36. ^ Smits, Dylan (4 June 2025). "Raf Manji to make another bid for city council". The Star. Retrieved 4 July 2025 – via Otago Daily Times.
  37. ^ Law, Tina (10 June 2025). "Alliance Party resurrects to contest Christchurch's central ward". The Press. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  38. ^ "Lawyer to run for Heathcote city council seat". Star News. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  39. ^ Lynch, Chris (25 March 2025). "Dave Dunlay announces candidacy for Banks Peninsula council seat". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  40. ^ Law, Tina (14 May 2025). "Former councillor who left, forcing a by-election, wants his job back". The Press. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  41. ^ Law, Tina (30 July 2025). "Former Christchurch councillor withdraws from election race". The Press. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
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