In October, local elections will be held across Christchurch. Chris Lynch Media has contacted all current Christchurch City Councillors to ask why they are seeking re-election. Each councillor was invited to respond to a series of questions about their record, priorities, and vision for the city. Here’s what Papanui Councillor Victoria Henstock had to say:
Why have you decided to stand again?
I care about people and the communities we live in. Christchurch is a city on the rise, growing in confidence, energy, and ambition and I am excited about our city’s future. Serving as an elected representative has been a real privilege and I want to continue playing my part, advocating for my local community and helping shape our city for the better.
2. What are the most pressing issues facing your ward right now?
• Rates pressure – the Council can’t keep increasing rates above the rate of inflation.
• Traffic issues – congestion at key locations, anti-social driver behaviour, e.g. excessive speed and burnouts and lack of enforcement.
• Lack of resident parking in medium and high density areas resulting from an increase in multi-unit developments without garaging or off streetparking.
3. If re-elected, what are your top three priorities for the next term?
• Focus on rates and smarter spending, look for operational efficiencies, reduce debt and borrow less. If we manage the city’s finances more effectively, we can still invest in key services without driving up the cost of living.
• Getting our city moving again, improving traffic flow and exploring options to reduce congestion on key routes.
• Managing our growth in a sustainable manner, including investigating a resident permit parking scheme for high and medium density areas.
4. What has the Council done well this term, and where has it fallen short?
Well:
• One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha is a standout –on time and on budget.
• Securing $90 million in government funding to repair local roads.
• Settlement of the $85m insurance claim for the fire damaged waste water treatment station.
• Standing up for the people of Christchurch and pushing back on blanket housing intensification.
• Supporting initiatives that have lifted resident satisfaction to its highest level since the earthquake.
Fallen short
• Transport. Many of our transport projects are increasingly over budget and some have ignoredlocal community design preferences. There’s been too many speed humps and over engineered cycleways and intersections. E.g. Wairakei /Aorangi Rd intersection.
5. How would you describe your approach to representing your community?
• People before politics always. Straightforward, honest, face-to-face, informed and considered.
• My priorities are simple: spend wisely, fix what’s broken, and protect what makes Christchurch special. That means common-sense decisions that serve our community.
Victoria Henstock planting at Papanui Bush
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6. What has been the most challenging part of your role as a councillor?
• Petty party politics with people trying to label me on the political spectrum.
I firmly believe that party politics has no place in local decision-making, particularly at the ward level. While a constructive relationship with central government is important at a city-wide level, our focus should always be on what’s best for Christchurch. Personal ideologies and agendas should be set aside in favour of balanced, community-focused decisions.
7. What achievement are you most proud of from your time in office?
• Deferring construction of the Harewood Rd cycleway. I worked really hard and used every opportunity to review this project fighting for local voices to be heard. A more sensible solution with a reduced scope aligned to the wishes and priorities of the local community was finally achieved in this year’s Annual Plan.
• Getting to know local residents and community champions at my regular weekly public drop in sessions at the Papanui and Redwood libraries, over 120 sessions so far!
• Asked tough questions about the Council’s capital programme on what could actually be delivered. This lead to savings and a lower rates increase in this year’s Annual Plan.
8. What would you do differently if given another term?
• The next term’s success will depend on the makeup of council. We need independent-minded, aspirational leaders who prioritise results over ideology, councillors with vision, financial discipline, and a clear focus on outcomes. Christchurch deserves decision-makers who think for themselves, not those tied to predetermined party lines and bloc voting. This will pave the way for sustainable growth and long-term success.
9. What’s currently on your Spotify playlist?
• Indie playlist
10. What’s one fun or unexpected fact about you most people don’t know?
• I am one of 9 children, 6 of them are brothers, so I tend to swear a lot!
11. Best café and best restaurant in Christchurch?
• It’s hard to pick between two local cafés, Colombus coffee at Mitre10 on Harewood Rd, is local to home, easy to access, always humming with locals keen to chat and the coffee is great. Braintree café at the Braintree Wellness Centre on Langdons Rd is also a favourite when I am in need of a quieter more contemplative space to enjoy my coffee or meet with elderly residents.
• King of Snake never disappoints for a night out.
Council Re-Election Interviews
