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 Halswell Councillor Andrei Moore had to say: 

1. Why have you decided to stand again? I’m keen to stay on and wish to give Halswell the opportunity to keep me on. I had been considering getting back into playing league and have been bulking up a bit (I’ve put on at least 1kg in 2025 – sadly not in muscle) in preparation but ultimately decided against it as it’s a bit too cold for me out there through Winter so Council it is.
2. What are the most pressing issues facing your ward right now? Growth, growth and also growth.
3. If re-elected, what are your top three priorities for the next term?
   As above. Growth, growth and also growth. We’re sleep-walking our way into a very sprawled-out city that hammers our outer-suburbs and we’re simply not prepared for it.
4. What has the Council done well this term, and where has it fallen short? We’ve greatly improved transparency, with briefings now live-streamed and no longer behind closed doors. We have fallen short on cutting our cloth to keep rates rises in check and not taken the time we should have to go line by line reviewing operational expenditure.
5. How would you describe your approach to representing your community? Open, transparent and thorough. I don’t rely solely on expecting our staff to get feedback from residents to help inform decisions. It’s our job as elected members to get out there and do that consultation too.
   Likewise, I don’t only rely on staff to communicate Council matters. If there’s a road closure somewhere in Halswell, I see it as my duty to go out there to inform as many thousands of people as possible to make their commute just that little bit less frustrating and let them know exactly what work is being carried out on their road they pay rates for.

Council Re-Election Interviews Read more on Aaron Keown  | Read More on Pauline Cotter 

 

1. 

   Councillor Andrei Moore at a community event at the Halswell Quarry.

2. As tiring as the daily late nights on Facebook can get, it’s usually the first thing residents tell me that they appreciate from me so I’ll keep that up.
   Getting things done in Local Government may be a nightmare but there is absolutely nothing holding us back from communicating with our residents.
3. What has been the most challenging part of your role as a councillor? Dealing with the mountains of bureaucracy that exist in Local Government and playing catch-up on infrastructure that hadn’t been budgeted or planned for in the cities fastest growing area when I got onto Council.
4. What achievement are you most proud of from your time in office? Making progress on every commitment I made in 2022 and completely overhauling the way new subdivision infrastructure is delivered on our existing roads in Halswell to help ensure we get it right the first time and save ratepayers money in the long-term.
5. What would you do differently if given another term? I’m campaigning on continuation but I do intend to have less tolerance for nonsense. Residents expect me to say it how it is.
6. What’s currently on your Spotify playlist? Shihad, Black Sabbath, U2, Queen, Motörhead, Lorde & Emma Dilemma (who happens to be from Halswell).
7. What’s one fun or unexpected fact about you most people don’t know?My name is pronounced as “Un-dray” (the Romanian way) rather than “On-dray” which is the French way that is spelt as Andre rather than Andrei. I can also eat a Mcdonald’s cheeseburger in one bite.
8. Best café and best restaurant in Christchurch?Red Café at Te Hapua who have been very accommodating to me hosting constituents at my drop-in clinics and Roti Chai who have been very accommodating to my constant curry cravings.

Council Re-Election Interviews

Read more on Aaron Keown 

Read More on Pauline Cotter