Independent Citizens
Independent Citizens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairperson | Jason Middlemiss |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours | Yellow |
| Christchurch City Council | 2 / 17 |
| Christchurch Community Board members | 6 / 36 |
| Website | |
| independentcitizens.org.nz | |
Independent Citizens are a local-body political ticket in Christchurch, New Zealand. They contest seats on the Christchurch City Council and on the city's community boards.[1]
The group's members lean centre-right politically.[1] The group serves as the main group for the city's right wing, acting in opposition to the city's centre-left group The People's Choice.[2]
Positions and platform
The group advocates for traditional centre-right positions, such as lowering rates and spending only on "the basics".[3]
According to Independent Citizens councillor Sam MacDonald, the group's constitution forbids whipping of group members to vote a certain way.[2]
The group is associated with the National Party, though this association is not official.[4]
History
2022–2025 term
For the 2022–2025 term, the group had two elected members, James Gough (Fendalton ward)[5] and Sam MacDonald (Waimairi ward).[6][7] They also had six community board members.[8]
2025 election
Lists of representatives
2022–2025 term
Initially two Independent Citizens candidates were elected as councillors and six were elected to community boards. Luke Chandler was appointed to the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton community board following the resignation of People's Choice-affiliated member Gamal Fouda.[9]
Independent Citizens elected members for the 2022–2025 term included:[‡ 1][9]
| Ward | Name | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Fendalton | James Gough | |
| Waimairi | Sam MacDonald | 
|
| Community board | Subdivision | Name |
| Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood (in majority) | Harewood | Jason Middlemiss |
| Linda Chen | ||
| Waimairi | Shirish Paranjape | |
| Fendalton | David Cartwright | |
| Bridget Williams | ||
| Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton (in minority) | Riccarton | Helen Broughton |
| Luke Chandler |
References
- ^ a b Gill, Sinead (10 April 2025). "Appointment of 'mate' to community board bad for democracy, critic says". The Press.
- ^ a b Law, Tina (15 January 2022). "Party politics: A blessing or a curse for local government?". Stuff.
- ^ Law, Tina; Harris, Dominic (18 October 2019). "Diverse new group to take seats around Christchurch City Council table". Stuff.
- ^ Gunn, Andrew (27 August 2022). "Local elections heating up, not in a good way". The Press.
- ^ "Fendalton Ward". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Waimairi Ward". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Deputy Mayor and Councillors". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Representatives". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ a b Herbert, Delphine (3 March 2025), "Imam Gamal Fouda leaving Al Noor Mosque", RNZ, retrieved 7 March 2025
Official results
- ^ "Declaration of Result" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. 8 October 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.