2025 Christchurch City Council election

2025 Christchurch City Council election
11 October 2025
 
Candidate Phil Mauger Sara Templeton
Party Independent Independent
Popular vote 60,137 40,533
Percentage 55.96 37.72
Mayor before election

Phil Mauger
Independent

Elected mayor

Phil Mauger
Independent

Council election
17 seats on the Christchurch City Council
9 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independents

8 −1
The People's Choice

4 +1
The People's Choice – Labour

2 0
Independent Citizens

2 0
Labour

1 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

The 2025 Christchurch City Council election was a local election held from 9 September to 11 October in Christchurch, New Zealand, as part of that year's nation-wide local elections. Voters elected 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 were used.

Key dates

  • 4 July 2025: Nominations for candidates opened
  • 1 August 2025: Nominations for candidates closed at 12 noon
  • 9 September 2025: Voting documents were posted and voting opened
  • 11 October 2025: Voting closed 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 endorsed by the Green Party.[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.[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] Photo 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]

Results

Harewood ward

Harewood ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Aaron Keown unopposed
Registered
Independent hold

Waimairi ward

Waimairi ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Citizens Sam MacDonald unopposed
Registered
Independent Citizens hold

Papanui ward

Papanui ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Victoria Henstock 4,367 65.93
The People's Choice Simon Britten 2,105 31.78
Informal 3 0.05
Blank 149 2.25
Total 6,624
Registered
Independent hold

Fendalton ward

Fendalton ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Citizens David Cartwright 5,228 66.43
Independent Xavier Dickason 1,683 21.39
Independent Diane Ellis 640 8.13
Informal 11 0.14
Blank 308 3.91
Total 7,870
Registered
Independent Citizens hold

Innes ward

Innes ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
The People's Choice Pauline Cotter 3,273 50.81
Independent Ali Jones 3,027 46.99
Informal 3 0.05
Blank 139 2.16
Total 6,442
Registered
The People's Choice hold

Burwood ward

Burwood ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Kelly Barber 5,390 77.06
The People's Choice – Labour Fionna Chapman 1,455 20.08
Informal 1 0.01
Blank 149 2.13
Total 6,995
Registered
Independent hold

Coastal ward

Coastal ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Celeste Donovan 4,605 58.34
Independent Jo Zervos 2,844 35.97
Independent Taraia Brown 333 4.21
Informal 12 0.15
Blank 113 1.43
Total 7,907
Registered
Independent hold

Hornby ward

Hornby ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Mark Peters unopposed
Registered
Independent hold

Halswell ward

Halswell ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Andrei Moore 7,513 85.12
Independent Citizens Dylan Smart 1,161 13.15
Informal 4 0.05
Blank 148 1.68
Total 8,826
Registered
Independent hold

Riccarton ward

Riccarton ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
The People's Choice Tyla Harrison-Hunt 1,657 40.17
Independent Tony Simons 1,139 27.61
Independent Sam Yau 630 15.27
Independent Debbie Mora 366 8.87
Independent Mark Chirnside 242 5.87
Informal 16 0.39
Blank 75 1.82
Total 4,125
Registered
The People's Choice hold

Spreydon ward

Spreydon ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
The People's Choice – Labour Melanie Coker 4,315 78.70
Independent Ben Yorston 883 16.10
Independent Terry Craze 410 7.48
Independent Tubby Hansen 99 1.81
Informal 20 0.36
Blank 166 3.03
Total 5,483
Registered
The People's Choice – Labour hold

Central ward

Central ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Labour Jake McLellan 1,870 38.95
Independent Raf Manji 1,203 25.06
Independent Hayley Guglietta 941 19.60
Alliance Tom Roud 407 8.48
Independent Mace Reid 235 4.89
Informal 42 0.87
Blank 103 2.15
Total 4,801
Registered
Labour hold

Cashmere ward

Cashmere ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Tim Scandrett 5,819 61.57
Independent Clare Marks 3,158 33.41
Informal 5 0.05
Blank 469 4.96
Total 9,451
Registered
Independent hold

Linwood ward

Linwood ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
The People's Choice – Labour Yani Johanson 3,701 72.20
Independent Evan Baker 867 16.91
Independent Ethan Gullery 443 8.64
Informal 14 0.27
Blank 101 1.97
Total 5,126
Registered
The People's Choice – Labour hold

Heathcote ward

Heathcote ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
The People's Choice Nathaniel Herz Jardine 5,206 57.35
Independent Ian Kearney 3,594 39.59
Informal 7 0.08
Blank 270 2.97
Total 9,077
Registered
The People's Choice gain from Independent

Banks Peninsula ward

Banks Peninsula ward[42]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
The People's Choice Tyrone Fields 2,952 71.88
Independent Dave Dunlay 1,062 25.86
Informal 0 0.00
Blank 93 2.26
Total 4,107
Registered
The People's Choice hold

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.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Lampp, Warwick (16 October 2025). "Christchurch City Council – 2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). ElectioNZ.
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