Final results confirm new councillors for regional council
Final election results confirm the make-up of Canterbury Regional Council, with eight re-elected and six new faces around the table.
The Christchurch South/Ōwhanga constituency has entirely new representation, while the other five have a mix of new and returning councillors.
First time councillors include John Faulkner, Sara Gerard, Ashley Campbell, Nettles Lamont, Andrea Davis, and Nick Moody.
Direct Ngāi Tahu representation
In accordance with the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022, the 10 Papatipu Rūnanga have appointed two Ngāi Tahu Councillors.
Iaean Cranwell will return for his second term as Ngāi Tahu Councillor. He formerly held a role on Council from 2016-2019, then served as Tumu Taiao from October 2020.
Megen McKay has also been appointed. She has previously served as the Te Taumutu Rūnanga representative at Selwyn District Council, and is a lawyer and independent commissioner.
Read the full Ngāi Tahu media release.
Acknowledging our outgoing councillors
Three councillors from the 2022-2025 term, Vicky Southworth (Christchurch South/Ōwhanga), Greg Byrnes (Christchurch Central/Ōhoko), and Paul Dietsche (Christchurch South/Ōwhanga), as well as Chair Craig Pauling (Christchurch West/Ōpuna), chose not to stand, and Ngāi Tahu Councillor Tutehounuku ‘Nuk’ Korako withdrew from the Councillor Reappointment Application process prior to the election.
Grant Edge (North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke) and David East (Christchurch North/Ōrei) were unsuccessful in seeking re-election.
Deputy Electoral Officer and our General Manager Governance Lisa Goodman said this year’s voter turnout range was between 34.26 per cent and 49.56 per cent, compared with the range of 36.66 per cent and 49.65 per cent in 2022.
Councillors will be sworn in at the first meeting on Wednesday, 29 October, where they will also decide on a Chair and Deputy Chair.
Learn more: View the official declaration of results (PDF file, 116KB).
Final election results
North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke
- MCKAY, Claire: 11,990
- FAULKNER, John (Independent): 9,901
- EDGE, Grant (Independent): 9,624
- APANUI, Tane (The blue collar councillor): 6,151
- KARETAI WOOD-BODLEY, Frankie (Independent): 4,357
INFORMAL: 74
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 3,314
The voter return percentage was 43.19 per cent, being 26,791 votes, including special votes.
Christchurch North East/Ōrei
- CAMPBELL, Ashley (Independent): 11,351
- DAVIES, Joe (The People's Choice - Labour): 10,991
- EAST, David (Independent): 10,569
- LANGLANDS, Peter (The People's Choice - Labour): 8,907
INFORMAL: 6
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 1,202
The voter return percentage was 36.88 per cent, being 26,438 votes, including special votes.
Christchurch West/Ōpuna
- SWIGGS, Deon (Independent): 14,806
- GERARD, Sara (The People's Choice): 14,453
- BENNETT, Michael: 8,629
- MEURK, Colin (The People's Choice): 8,115
INFORMAL: 5
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 2,148
The voter return percentage was 38.13 per cent, being 29,026 votes, including special votes.
Christchurch Central/Ōhoko
- ROBINSON, Genevieve (Independent): 8,617
- LAMONT, Nettles (Independent - Gets things done): 8,263
- DAVIDS, Alexandra (I CLEAN RIVERS): 6,623
- BOYCE, Lindon (Independent): 4,331
- BOSWELL, Ross (Independent): 4,148
- ALEXANDER, Benjamin (Independent): 3,567
- WANG, Alan (Huijian) (Independent): 3,255
INFORMAL: 16
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 1,602
The voter return percentage was 34.26 per cent, being 23,360 votes, including special votes.
Christchurch South/Ōwhanga
- DAVIS, Andrea (The People's Choice): 14,960
- MOODY, Nick (Independent): 11,288
- RAMSDEN, Mananui (Independent): 8,649
- KINGSTON, Bill (Independent): 4,527
- OKEY, Mike (Independent): 3,58
- ROBINSON, Philip (Our Assets Our Future): 2,752
- MCLISTER, John (Independent): 2,310
INFORMAL: 17
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 1,465
The voter return percentage was 43.28 per cent, being 28,452 votes, including special votes.
Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi
- MACKENZIE, Ian: 18,725
- SUNCKELL, John (Independent): 16,001
- TROY, Helen (Independent): 14,39
- TROLOVE, Peter (Independent): 12,287
INFORMAL: 54
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 2,549
The voter return percentage was 47.4 per cent, being 37,031 votes, including special votes.
South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi
- WARD, Nick: 13,854
- SCOTT, Peter (Independent): 9,502
- SEVERIN, Toni (ACT Local: Real Change. Lower Rates.): 7,755
INFORMAL: 3
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 1,958
The voter return percentage was 49.56 per cent, being 21,756 votes, including special votes.