Riccarton’s been through a lot of change and it’s home. Our ward deserves to have someone that’s all in. We’ve made some great progress: better parks, smoother roads, and a lot of local wins that matter to everyday life.

I love this mahi, and I’m not the type to walk away halfway through. I’m standing again to keep that momentum going – to back our communities, push for what’s needed, and serve not just one, but all four corners of Riccarton. From Sockburn to Deans, everything in between.

Riccarton is fast, it’s full-on, and somehow it all works. We’re the most diverse ward in the city. There’s a mix of renters and homeowners, families and students, workers and retirees – all trying to get by and get ahead.

I’ve talked with thousands of our residents over the last three years, and they want generally the same things: safer streets, cleaner parks, proper stormwater and better footpaths that don’t feel neglected.

They want elected members who care about the everyday issues, and they want housing done right, and ensure rates go to things that matter.

Every neighbourhood has its own niche issues, like noise and housing in Ilam, better roads in Sockburn, and clean, safe streets in Central Riccarton. Deans Precinct are about access, parking and traffic flow. In the northern end of Riccarton, they care about housing near Riccarton Bush, and to ensure rates are affordable and managed well.

What many families tell me too, is that the ward has very little in greenspace and ‘third spaces’. Riccarton has seen heaps of urban growth and is in a green space deficit, we need to fight to keep what we have left and get more green coverage in the ward.

That’s what makes my role so exciting, because every neighbourhood is different.

1. Delivering for Today

A lot of what people care about comes down to the basics – clean parks, safe footpaths, and bins getting emptied on time. Those everyday things have a big impact on how people feel about where they live. I’ve focused on these areas this term because when they’re not looked after, people feel frustrated. It’s not easy work, but it’s what matters.

Delivering well is about accountability. The cost of living is a key issue across the board, Council need to be upfront about how we spend public money, getting better value from every dollar, and keeping services like pools, libraries, and infrastructure in good shape. People deserve to know things are being run properly – and that someone’s taking responsibility when they’re not.

Its also important to me that the the city know how and why we voted, how much things cost, and most importantly, how elected members and the organisation engages with each other and our communities. The city deserves a council that are respectful, skilled and just get on with the job. Public trust is absolutely essential.

Key projects:

2. Building for Tomorrow

I think it’s really important that we’re not just reacting to problems – we’ve got to be also thinking 10, 20, 30 years ahead. That means good housing, well-used public space, and keeping our strategic assets in public hands. I’m not here to chase short-term wins – I want to help lay the groundwork so the next generation looks back and thinks we got it right. I want things to benefit us, and those that come after us, because we don’t own anything, we are just borrowing from our kids.

Council needs long-term thinkers that outlast any election cycle. The current style of short-term politics that ‘kicks the can down the road’ is old and expensive. We can be cleaner, greener and have more in our back pocket at the same time.

Key projects:

3. Pushing Localism

Localism is about local voices that make local solutions. At the end of the day, it’s about trust. People want to feel heard – and they want to know their ideas matter. I’ve made it a priority to turn up, listen, and work alongside residents to get things done. Like the lovely resident that asked for a bin on Riccarton Rd, the family that needed to fix a burst pipe on Main South, or the residents association worried about their neighbourhood. It’s not about big talk – it’s just about staying connected, doing the mahi, and making sure people feel like they’ve got a seat at the table. I reckon that’s what good representation should look like.

Key projects:

Most of the key projects are already in-flight, produce cost-savings, or designed on partnerships and co-funding/co-designing. A heavy core-infrastructure backing emphasis!

We’ve made good headway on some key infrastructure and planning work and kept rates manageable during very tough economic times. We have sustained very high ratings in levels of service in our libraries, parks, and sports and rec spaces and improved in our delivery of capital projects. Our transparency has also improved after 2023 with how we run meetings.

There is frustration around consistency – some projects take too long; others don’t land quite right. Our residents want to see better performance in the maintenance of roads, footpaths, fly-tipping and graffiti. We could also be better in our engagement and widen our consultation when major projects are undertaken and get innovative in how we engage.

Local, future-focused, collaborative.

I don’t turn up thinking I’ve got all the answers – I listen, ask questions, and get stuck in. If someone’s got an issue, whether it’s a crook kerb or help with a community group, I take it seriously. I’ve had experience in trades, government, business and community – the #1 thing I took from those roles were to listen and the solution will come.

If I’m making decisions that affect people, I want to understand what it’s actually like, I want to see what needs fixing, and what its like on the ground.

I also see my role as a bridge – connecting everyday experiences with Council decision-making. I try to bring people together, find consensus and middle ground, and make sure everyone’s voice has a shot at being heard. Doesn’t matter where you come from – if you’ve got something to say, I’ll walk alongside you to make sure it counts.

The pace. Council systems don’t always move as quickly as the people we serve need them to – and sometimes that can wear people down. But I’ve learned that persistence matters. Staying present, asking the right questions, and checking back – those small things can lead to real progress over time. I’m personally using a project management app to handle, chase up and elevate issues that our residents have.

Working together – that’s what I’m proud of.

In just one term, we’ve managed to get some good outcomes: Locked in $54m of core infrastructure in the LTP, resurfaced Wharenui, Blenheim and Deans; building a new pocket park and masterplan in Church Corner; backed a local mobile youth hub; solved more than 100 local issues; backed the CHCH Youth Hub and launched the Riccarton Collective to give locals a stronger voice. But none of that happened in isolation.

The real achievement has been building strong relationships – with staff, colleagues, and the community – and turning that trust into progress. More and more, people are reaching out, asking questions and getting involved. That collective momentum is what makes change stick. And that’s what I’m most proud of.

I don’t regret anything, but if Riccarton trusted in me for another term, I would be rolling from day one. The first few months in 2022 had many of us ‘first-termers’ confront major issues as soon as we sat down. Now that I’ve figured out the process, I’m ready to kick on as soon as votes come in on October 2025.

The Youth and Multicultural Portfolios I have are huge too, I’d work at making sure appropriate representation is put back into the communities’ hands. Portfolios shouldn’t be for one persons responsibility, it should be for those who lead those communities.

What’s currently on your Spotify playlist?

My daughter has ravaged my Spotify! School drop-offs include Disney hits, Māori waiata and the Spice Girls.

Mum and Dad used to have weekly karaoke parties in the garage with my whānau and their friends. I grew up listening to them sing Sam Cooke, Blues Brothers and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Currently listening to Marlon Williams new music,  a bit of DnB pre-meeting (my Council mates hear it coming), and I’m a massive hip-hop fan. I’m also into podcasts and e-books – currently into RNZ’s NZ History, Simon Sinek, and a bit of Q+A, Jack Tame is unreal.

I’ve had the same best mate since I was 3 years old, we’re like chalk and cheese – and that’s what kept us together. He owns a plumbing company in Selwyn and lives in Halswell. Heard that Halswell Councillor is an absolute menace! 😉

How could you make me pick? 4 is my final offer.

Breakfast – Drexels

Afternoon – Dumplings $2 rice is Christchurch royalty

Coffee/Meeting – Park Ranger

Evening – Hibachi

Council Re-election Interview: Pauline Cotter 

Council Re-election Interview: Aaron Keown

Council Re-election Interview: Andrei Moore 

Council Re-election Interview Victoria Henstock

Council Re-election Interview: Mayor Phil Mauger