Candidates confirmed for Canterbury Regional Council election
Elections will be required in all seven constituencies for Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) in the October local elections.
Nominations closed at midday on Friday 1 August. The regional council’s general manager governance Lisa Goodman, who is also the deputy electoral officer, confirmed that 34 nominations had been confirmed to determine the 14 constituency councillors*, with two councillors elected from each constituency. All seven constituencies had more than two nominations, meaning an election would be required to decide the successful candidates for the Council.
View the full list of candidates (plus affiliations where provided by candidates)
North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke
- Tane Apanui (The blue collar councillor)
- Grant Edge (Independent)
- John Faulkner (Independent)
- Frankie Karetai Wood-Bodley (Independent)
- Claire McKay
Christchurch North East/Ōrei
- Ashley Campbell (Independent)
- Joe Davies (The People's Choice - Labour)
- David East (Independent)
- Peter Langlands (The People's Choice - Labour)
Christchurch West/Ōpuna
- Michael Bennett
- Sara Gerard (The People's Choice)
- Colin Meurk (The People's Choice)
- Deon Swiggs (Independent)
Christchurch Central/Ōhoko
- Benjamin Alexander (Independent)
- Ross Boswell (Independent)
- Lindon Boyce (Independent)
- Alexandra Davids (I CLEAN RIVERS)
- Nettles Lamont (Independent - Gets things done)
- Genevieve Robinson (Independent)
- Alan (Huijian) Wang (Independent)
Christchurch South/Ōwhanga
- Andrea Davis (The People's Choice)
- Bill Kingston (Independent)
- John McLister (Independent)
- Nick Moody (Independent)
- Mike Okey (Independent)
- Mananui Ramsden (Independent)
- Philip Robinson (Our Assets Our Future)
Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi
- Ian Mackenzie
- John Sunckell (Independent)
- Peter Trolove (Independent)
- Helen Troy (Independent)
South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi
- Peter Scott (Independent)
- Toni Severin
- Nick Ward
Of the current councillors, we did not receive nomination papers from Chair Craig Pauling (Christchurch/West Ōpuna), Vicky Southworth (Christchurch South/Ōwhanga), Greg Byrnes (Christchurch Central/Ōhoko), and Paul Dietsche (Christchurch South/Ōwhanga)
Candidate biographies to be published
Lisa Goodman said staff would be in touch with candidates to offer the opportunity to film a short video biography, to expand on the short statements provided with voting papers.
“We know people struggle to find information about candidates and what they think about the issues we face. Developing these videos and hosting them on our website will enable the community to find out about what candidates see as the biggest priorities for the region over the next three years.”
The written profiles and videos will be available on ecan.govt.nz/elections from late August.
Key dates
9-22 September 2025
Voting papers are sent out and postal voting opens.
9 September - 11 October 2025
Special voting period.
11 October 2025
Voting closes at noon, with progress results available later that day.
16 October 2025
Declaration of results.
Where to find out more
You can find the confirmed list of candidates with contact information at electionz.com.
Canterbury Maps will allow you to see which constituency you vote in.
The pre-election report (PDF file, 6.23MB) outlines key challenges, opportunities, major projects, and financial information to help candidates and voters ahead of the local elections.
Ngāi Tahu representation
*The Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022 enables Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to select two councillors with full voting rights to our council. This brings the total number of councillors to 16.