Our Councillors

Returning for his second term, Deon was unanimously supported to be the Chair for the 2025-28 triennium. He was also elected Regional Sector Chair of Local Government New Zealand and Te Uru Kahika. In the previous term, Deon was Deputy Chair of the Strategy and Policy Committee and also served part of the term as Deputy Chair.

In 2025, Deon graduated with a doctorate in Business. He has also achieved a Bachelor of Applied Management in Sales and Marketing, a Graduate Diploma in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a Graduate Diploma in Management, and a Master of Business Administration.

Deon is a former Naval Officer and Christchurch City Councillor, and founder of Rebuild Christchurch, a post-earthquake recovery information service. He has established several horticulture businesses with a focus on sustainable land use.

In his inaugural speech of the 2025-28 triennium, Deon acknowledged there would be challenges to come, but that through collaboration and determination, Waitaha Canterbury would emerge stronger, noting that while change was on its way, the work still needed to be done. 

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Chair – Chief Executive, Employment, Performance and Remuneration Committee
• Chair – Canterbury Regional Transport Committee
• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member (ex-officio) – Audit and Risk Committee
• Member – Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia
• Member – Te Mōkihi Mana-to-Mana Governance Group
• Member – Canterbury Mayoral Forum
• Member – South Island Regional Councils Alignment and Collaboration Group

 Watch: Inaugural speech Dr Deon Swiggs

 Email: Councillor.Swiggs@ecan.govt.nz

  Phone: 027 237 4358

Iaean is of Kāti Irakehu, Kāti Kurī and Kāti Makō descent. He has returned for his fourth term on council for Environment Canterbury.

He previously served as an appointed member representing Ngāi Tahu from 2016 to 2019, and then as one of two Tumu Taiao mana whenua experts from October 2020 to October 2022. He is now in his second term as a Ngāi Tahu-appointed Councillor.

Iaean has a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and postgraduate qualifications in Information Science.  

Iaean has built strong relationships with his hapū, rūnanga, communities and environmental organisations throughout his career. He has experience as a director, chair, and member on a variety of commercial, community and charitable organisations

During the 2022-25 term, Iaean was Chair of the Water and Land Committee and Deputy Chair of the Regional Delivery Committee. At the beginning of the 2025 term, he was appointed Deputy Chair. 

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Deputy Chair – Environment Canterbury Council
• Deputy Chair – Chief Executive, Employment, Performance and Remuneration Committee
• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Co-Chair  – Te Rōpū Tuia
• Co-Chair – Te Waihora Co-Governance Group
• Member – South Island Regional Councils Alignment and Collaboration Group 

 Watch: Inaugural speech Iaean Cranwell

 Email: Councillor.Cranwell@ecan.govt.nz

Megen is a lawyer (formerly in private practice) and Chair-endorsed Independent Hearings Commissioner, with over 25 years’ experience in governance and public service across mana whenua, local government, and Crown–iwi partnerships. She is known for careful, fair decision-making, clear communication, and a strong commitment to service and integrity.

Megen previously served as the Te Taumutu Rūnanga-appointed representative on the Selwyn District Council and has now been selected as one of two Ngāi Tahu Councillors for the Canterbury Regional Council.

Megen has held senior governance roles in freshwater and environmental management, including five years as Co-Governor of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. She played a key role over several years in developing and establishing Tāwhaki (a Crown–mana whenua aerospace joint venture at Kaitorete), which brings together environmental restoration and innovation. She then served as one of the inaugural directors, representing rūnanga shareholder interests.

As a Ngāi Tahu Councillor at Environment Canterbury, Megen’s priority is ensuring mana whenua perspectives are meaningfully reflected in decisions on wai, biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable land use, while supporting transparent, accountable governance - particularly during a period of significant local government reform.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Chair – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Regulation Hearing Committee
• Member – Chief Executive, Employment, Performance and Remuneration Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia
• Member – Te Waihora Co-Governance Group  

 Watch: Inaugural speech Megen McKay

 Email: Councillor.Megen.McKay@ecan.govt.nz

Clare has returned for her fourth term as a Councillor for Environment Canterbury. She has a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, and is also a certified RMA Hearings Commissioner.

Claire had a 20-year professional career as a veterinarian, and co-founded a successful veterinary practice. She has been involved in farming all her life, and more recently downsized to a small land holding.

Claire is proud to have had support in the previous triennium from her colleagues around the table to develop a long-term Water Resilience Strategy for Canterbury and was also Chair of the Regulation Hearing Committee.

Claire is focused on a balanced approach to long-term environmental protection and effective freshwater management and is committed to delivering core functions effectively and driving operational efficiencies to reduce the rates burden. She would like to prioritise working as a team around the Council table and is keen to take the lead on prioritising actions that rebuild trust and respect in the organisation.

In her inaugural speech of this term, Claire said the impending reform presents an opportunity to work together for the greater good of Canterbury, rebuild trust and respect, and make a strong case for continued involvement in the region’s future.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Chair – Regulation Hearing Committee
• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Chief Executive, Employment, Performance and Remuneration Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia 
  Core Service Lead – Environmental Regulation and Protection 

 Watch: Inaugural speech Claire McKay

 Email: Councillor.McKay@ecan.govt.nz

 Phone: 027 486 4023

John has spent the past 45 years working as a dairy farmer – 20 years in Morrinsville and 25 years in Culverden. Before that, he spent four years working within the banking sector for urban and rural areas with Trustbank Waikato.

He has a Post Graduate Certificate in Commerce from Lincoln University and a Diploma in Management Studies from the University of Waikato. John is proud of his years spent working within the Hurunui Waiau Zone Committee, building relationships with a wide range of people and seeing the Hurunui community embracing the ethos of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy through an inclusive process. He believes the collaborative spirit of farmers, iwi, councils and communities finding common ground together needs to be strengthened and revitalised across the region.

As a first-term Councillor, John’s focus is on supporting farmers to lead biodiversity and mahinga kai actions beyond regulation, providing opportunities for mana whenua to gather food and restore connection to the land, and restoring the mana of Environment Canterbury through trust, humility, and courage. He sees the future of Canterbury’s environmental management as requiring calm, respectful leadership and a willingness to look ahead together.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Deputy Chair – Regulation Hearing Committee
• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia

 Watch: Inaugural speech John Faulkner

 Email: Councillor.Faulkner@ecan.govt.nz

Returning for his second term, Joe has worked as a digital design tutor at Yoobee College of Creative Innovation since 2022. He has achieved a Bachelor of Science, a Diploma in Web Design and Production, and a Certificate in Pre-Health Science.

He was a Christchurch City Council Community Board Member from 2013 to 2016, a New Zealand Labour Party Environmental Sector Chair between 2019 and 2021 and has been Environment Canterbury’s Public Transport Core Service Lead since 2024. 

Joe says the establishment of the Canterbury Artificial Intelligence Working Group was a highlight of his last term. The group had meetings with Rico, Google and Microsoft to understand the role that AI and technology is having in the public sector in Canterbury and New Zealand.

Joe is proud to have developed a concept for passenger rail in Christchurch, which would cover a 54.7km area linking Rolleston and Rangiora with central Christchurch. He continues to champion public transport for Waitaha Canterbury, with a push for further rail options. 

During his re-election bid, Joe campaigned on safeguarding Christchurch’s drinking water, supporting public transport efficiency, and increasing flood protection funding. This term, he plans to focus on Environment Canterbury’s organisational reform and support for public transport. 

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Canterbury Regional Transport Committee
• Member – Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia
• Core Service Lead – Public Transport

 Watch: Inaugural speech Joe Davies

 Email: Councillor.Davies@ecan.govt.nz

 Phone: 027 552 1295

Ashley has been in journalism and communications for more than 40 years and is a first-term Councillor for Environment Canterbury.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Canterbury. Before being elected, she was Communications Manager for environmental research organisation Lincoln Agritech.

In 2011, Ashley founded the campaign to restore the Ōtākaro Avon River red zone to its natural state. She was a founding member of the Avon Ōtākaro Network and later founded and led Greening the Red Zone. Despite being told it wouldn’t happen, she persevered, and today she is proud to see the vision realised, delivering lasting social and environmental benefits for the community.

In her bid for election, Ashley campaigned on environmental sustainability, bringing affordable, reliable services to lower-income areas of Christchurch, and transparency among councillors. 
In this term Ashley will also focus on limiting nitrate leaching and bringing transport choices to more Christchurch suburbs.

In her inaugural speech, Ashley stated she wanted to see a measurable improvement in the quality of Waitaha Canterbury’s surface and shallow groundwater in the near future. 

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Canterbury Waste Joint Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia
• Member – Canterbury Climate Champion Reference Group

 Watch: Inaugural speech Ashley Campbell

 Councillor.Campbell@ecan.govt.nz

First term Councillor, Sara grew up on a mixed sheep, cattle and cropping farm on the terraces of the Rangitata (Rakitata) River opposite Mount Peel (Tarahoa). She holds a B.Sc. in geography and a postgraduate diploma in landscape architecture.

A registered NZILA landscape architect for more than 30 years, Sara has worked on large and complex projects for central and local government in New Zealand and the UK. Her work spans agricultural schemes, catchment management, three waters, major infrastructure, and environmental restoration, providing valuable skills and experience in navigating legislative and policy change.

Sara was spatial planner for the staged rail-road-air transport hub, including industrial, and housing areas for the Te Utanganui-North Island Regional Freight Distribution Hub proposal. She appeared as an expert witness opposing the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme and played a key role in securing a Scenic Reserve on the Port Hills.

Sara campaigned on protecting Canterbury’s river and aquifer water quality problem-solverural problemsolver, she brings together stakeholder views, scientific evidence, and community knowledge to understand how natural, economic, and cultural systems interact. She is committed to preventing pollution and promoting effective environmental management and waste minimisation.

This term, Sara’s priorities are safeguarding air, soils, waters and ecosystem ecoservices that are fundamental to Canterbury’s community and economic well-being; advancing spatial planning to reduce flood and wildfire impacts; and connecting towns and cities with efficient public transport.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Regulation Hearing Committee
• Member – Canterbury Waste Joint Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia

 Watch: Inaugural speech Sara Gerard

 Email: Councillor.Gerard@ecan.govt.nz

Genevieve is an experienced journalist, researcher, and campaigner specialising in freshwater and coastal environments. Now in her second term as a Councillor, she brings a strong public-health lens to her work, having advocated for and written on smoke-free environments, maternal and mental health, and contributed to the New Zealand Sepsis Plan. Her work is grounded in transparency, democratic accountability, and amplifying public voice.

In 2024, she secured funding for a targeted coastal environment plan, replacing significant elements of its 20-year-old predecessor. She is also a qualified marine mammal medic.

A committed advocate for safe drinking water and healthy coastal ecosystems, Genevieve focuses on legislative and policy reform that delivers measurable environmental and public-health outcomes. This term, she is prioritising protection of marine environments out to 12 nautical miles across Waitaha Canterbury, where more than 40 per cent of the region lies in coastal waters. Her core priorities are coastal planning, water allocation, and public health.

In her inaugural speech, Genevieve said she stands for the places that cannot speak or protest, and for the rivers that remember - committed to stewardship that protects the environment for future generations, unspoiled and uncompromised.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Audit and Risk Committee
• Member – Regulation Hearing Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia
• Representative – Youth Rōpū

 Watch: Inaugural speech Genevieve Robinson

 Email: Councillor.Robinson@ecan.govt.nz

First-term Councillor Nettles Lamont is a proud Cantabrian, mother of 3, is passionate about life and has an extensive and varied background in business and governance. Nettles has been Chair of Cholmondeley Children’s Centre for the past twelve years; Chair for Quality New Zealand Group for eight years; a member on the Quality New Zealand Education board for four years; and has been a Director of Canterbury Cricket since September 2024.

Since 2009, Nettles has been the owner and Managing Director of Conquest Training, a nationwide training company.  She is passionate about people and equipping them to lead their best lives. 
During her bid for election, Nettles campaigned as someone to turn goals into outcomes particularly around efficient and affordable public transport, and better water quality to ensure it is safe for drinking and swimming.

In her inaugural speech, Nettles discussed the need for Councillors to work together for the good of water, air, and land quality - all while being affordable, within means, and not at the cost of productivity for farmers. She said she felt a real sense among her colleagues that fundamentally they all wanted the same things and were now finding ways to move forward together, clearly, with purpose, and with responsibility.  

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Deputy Chair – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Audit and Risk Committee
• Member – Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia 

 Watch: Inaugural speech Nettles Lamont

 Email: Councillor.Lamont@ecan.govt.nz

 Phone: 021 544 716

Andrea is a first-term Councillor and a self-employed landscape architect with a combined 45 years’ experience of designing and contracting in New York and Canterbury. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Stony Brook University in New York, a Master of Landscape Architecture from Unitec in Auckland, and a Master of Environmental Policy and Management from Lincoln University. Andrea’s also a Green Roof Professional through the North American body of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.

She takes great pride in having achieved a Master of Environmental Policy and Management at the age of 60, an accomplishment that will help her contribute to the future of Waitaha Canterbury as a Councillor.

During her bid for election, Andrea campaigned on improving urban water clarity, reducing the risk of nitrate contamination in drinking water, and utilising nature-based resilience projects to increase biodiversity for landowners. Her focus for the new term is to improve governance and encourage building trust among the 16 Councillors, to ensure future generations have clean water and other resources available to them.

In her inaugural speech, Andrea said that while change is an inevitable part of life, the best course forward through the upcoming changes was through collaboration and she encouraged her fellow Councillors to work together to build trust and for the future of Environment Canterbury. 

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Deputy Chair – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Regulation Hearing Committee
• Member – Chief Executive, Employment, Performance and Remuneration Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia
• Councillor Representative – Whaka Ora Healthy Harbour

 Watch: Inaugural speech Andrea Davis

 Email: Councillor.Andrea.Davis@ecan.govt.nz

Nick’s principal place of residence is in the Christchurch South/Ōwhanga Constituency area.
His commitment to Canterbury began as a student at Cashmere High School, when he co-founded the Styx Living Laboratory Trust. Today, he is still a trustee, and still works to protect the Styx River where over 150,000 native trees were planted in partnership with the community.

He studied Environmental Management at Lincoln University, became a Ranger at the Department of Conservation – and by delivering real results – became a DOC National Manager.

As a Pollution Prevention Officer at Environment Canterbury, he stopped pollution at its source and significantly improved the health of the Heathcote River.

Pollution, pests and flooding threaten our economy and our environment. But by diversifying our rural land use, we can build a more resilient economy and safeguard our high quality of life.

He vows to protect Canterbury’s special places and support a more sustainable regional economy – for you, your family, and your future.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Audit and Risk Committee
• Member – Regulation Hearing Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia

 Watch: Inaugural speech Nick Moody

 Email: Councillor.Moody@ecan.govt.nz

Ian Mackenzie has returned for his third term as a Councillor. He is a Nuffield Scholar and, with his family, is involved in a diversified farming business that includes producing grain, seeds, meat, vegetables and milk as well as tourism, trucking and engineering.

Ian has a B.AG.Sci (Lincoln) and was involved in the early days of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, the Land and Water Forum and various Ministerial advisory groups on water that, amongst other things, led to the implementation of the 2011 National Policy Statement for Freshwater. He has also had various roles at regional and national level with Federated Farmers and served as a director on a variety of boards, both commercial and charitable.

Ian has been involved in conservation for years, particularly protecting and providing habitat for the endangered Canterbury mudfish in a wetland system on Akaunui, his home farm.

Ian enjoys jet boating, fishing and skiing in his spare time.

While campaigning in the 2025 election, Ian expressed his desire to continue representing his constituents to enable them to achieve their aspirations. His priorities are to continue the move to a more strategic approach to river resilience and catchment-wide management with an emphasis on better flood management; to bring greater discipline to spending rates and lowering rates demands; to reduce the regulatory burden and sort out consenting issues whilst looking for better environmental outcomes.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia
• Core Service Lead – Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards

 Email: Councillor.Mackenzie@ecan.govt.nz

 Phone:027 432 8329

John has returned for his third term as a Councillor and was a Regulatory Hearing Committee member and a Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Committee member during the 2022-25 Council term.

For the past 40 years, he has been a farmer, 25 of which were on his own account. He has also been a paramedic for the past 15 years and a volunteer for St John for 43 years. John has a Diploma in Agriculture and is active in environmental and agriculture policy groups. He is also a past Selwyn electorate Chair of the National Party.  

John campaigned for simplified regulatory processes with fewer consents and better compliance monitoring, improved river and flood management, an uplift in public transport for outlying areas, and fiscal responsibility. This term, his focus is on Civil Defence, government-mandated regulatory change, consenting, and public transport.

During his time at Council, John is proud to have been part of the Selwyn River recharge and the establishment and extension of the flat-fare trial for the city’s public transport. 

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Chair – Regional Delivery Committee
• Deputy Chair – Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Audit and Risk Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia

 Watch: Inaugural speech John Sunckell

 Email: Councillor.Sunckell@ecan.govt.nz

  Phone: 027 424 3006

Peter has represented South Canterbury on the Canterbury Regional Council for a decade and is returning for his fourth term, bringing his deep local knowledge and a focus on practical environmental solutions.

Peter is a mixed-crop farmer and has experience in a range of leadership roles, including as Chief Executive of Opuha Water, a director of Horticulture New Zealand, and a director of Irrigation New Zealand. He was also on the inaugural steering committee for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

While on Council, Peter has been able to form good working relationships with all Councillors, and believes his experience will help guide Environment Canterbury through times of uncertainty. He served part of the 2022-25 term as Chair of the Council.

Outside the council chambers Peter has worked with universities, dairy companies, and fertiliser manufacturers to find solutions that protect water quality while maintaining farming productivity. He believes proper management could allow more intensive farming with less environmental damage by focusing on removing nitrates rather than livestock.

In his inaugural speech, Peter expressed his passion for predator control in Te Manahuna Aoraki, where he has been instrumental in securing additional funding for wallaby management programmes. He emphasises the importance of understanding council functions – particularly the interconnected nature of consenting, science and infrastructure management – as the local structure of local government evolves.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia

 Watch: Inaugural speech Peter Scott

 Email: Councillor.Scott@ecan.govt.nz

 Phone: 027 491 6413

Before Nick was first elected a Councillor in 2022, he was an intensive cropping and horticulture farmer for 35 years with a passion for soils, water and the environment. He was the Canterbury supreme winner of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards in 2009. Nick holds a diploma in Agriculture and a Diploma in Farm Management from Lincoln University and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Nick’s focus is on water management, having been a member of the Ohapi Water Users Group, Orari River Incorporated Society and the Chair of Geraldine Water Solutions. All of these involved the allocation of water in these catchments for present and future generations.

During the 2022-25 term, Nick served as Chair of the Regional Delivery Committee and was Deputy Chair of the Regional Biodiversity Committee.

In his second term, his priorities are the improved management of Waitaha Canterbury’s freshwater resources to restore and protect the health of waterways; work through the opportunities, challenges and risks to Canterbury and the rest of New Zealand that climate change presents; and to enable a resilient multi-modal transport system for the efficient movement of people and freight. 
In his inaugural speech, Nick said his first term as Councillor had been a privilege and reinforced his belief that there was still vital work to be done to ensure Waitaha Canterbury’s voice was not just heard but acted upon.

He also said that while the upcoming changes are unsettling, they present new opportunities to create a stronger, more prosperous future where local knowledge is valued, and the region thrives.

Committee memberships and governance roles (2025–2028)

• Deputy Chair – Audit and Risk Committee
• Member – Regional Delivery Committee
• Member – Strategy and Policy Committee
• Member – Te Rōpū Tuia

 Watch: Inaugural speech Nick Ward

 Email: Councillor.Ward@ecan.govt.nz

 Phone: 027 432 9960