Councillor and Community Board candidates for Central Ward in the 2022 local elections.


Central Ward - Councillor (1 vacancy)

Alexandra DAVIDS

Independent

Alexandra DAVIDS

My principal place of residence is in the Central Ward area.

The Central Ward is the heart of our City; when it thrives, we all thrive.
As the current Chair of our Community Board I have an in-depth understanding of how Council works and have worked with residents and community groups across the ward to achieve common goals.
My roles as Chair of Keep New Zealand Beautiful and the National Community Boards Executive and committee member for the national Young Elected Members group mean I have the governance experience and relationships to enable me to be an effective councillor.
Community needs to be at the centre of all we do and as the city intensifies, providing green spaces for people to connect is crucial. We need a safe and affordable city, that delivers services well and supports our young and elderly. I am standing to ensure you are properly represented and as an independent candidate, I work for and represent you.

Jake MCLELLAN

Labour

Jake MCLELLAN

My principal place of residence is in the Central Ward area.

Three years ago I asked for your support and was humbled to become your Councillor. I'm proud of what we've achieved together and I'm asking for your continued support to keep delivering for our community.
I've secured a much-needed refresh of the area around the Stanmore Road shops, and a well-deserved Living Wage for city workers. I'm working on free pool access for children, because water safety is important and we need to reduce tragedies, and I've championed the crack down on land banking in our central city. But I know there's still more to do and I've got a long list of things to crack on with including getting our shuttle bus back and investing in light-rail.
I'm more committed than ever to working hard with our community to ensure the Central Ward continues to have a strong voice. facebook.com/jakemclellanchch

Stephen MCPAIKE

Independent

Stephen MCPAIKE

My principal place of residence is in the Central Ward area. I am also standing for Central Ward of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board.

Over the last few months, I have invested a lot of time into sewercrisis.nz and helping the residents of the East. This is one of the many things I have worked in for the community over the last few years as well as working with a Community Hub, working with an advocacy agency, as well as working hard to improve community housing with the Warm and Dry Initiative. I would like to work towards a safer city and I personally like to see Christchurch to be the first carbon negative city in New Zealand. In 2021 I walked for 24 hours to raise awareness for Male Survivors of domestic abuse and I plan to continue to raise awareness on this. If you have any questions, ask me via Facebook
www.facebook.com/Stephen4chch

 


Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board - Central Ward (2 vacancies)

Sunita GAUTAM

Labour

Sunita GAUTAM

My principal place of residence is not in the Central Ward of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board area.

My day-to-day life is grounded in the Central ward and Christchurch has been my home for 19 years. I'm passionate about building people, business and the environment. As your Community Board member, I have engaged with the local community via community meetings at Linwood Village, resident group meetings and supporting community events.
I have been a strong voice on the Board and championed several wins such as the Greening The East project, uplifting Linwood Village, working with residents on Armagh Street traffic safety, and improving the Welcome Rest Park. I also serve our community as a JP, marriage/civil union celebrant, business mentor, career mentor, leadership and life coach and work at ARA as a Business lecturer.
I am committed to working hard for the Central Ward. Let's work together to make it a place where all the people feel safe, valued, and have a sense of belonging.

Jamie HOFFMAN

Jamie HOFFMAN

My principal place of residence is in the Central Ward of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board area.

Hi, Jamie Hoffman is my name. For 43 years I've lived with cerebral palsy, my mobility dependent on a motorised wheel chair. This gives me a level of independence as I can travel a considerable distance. I live on my own with the assistance of carers.
On Saturday mornings I attend Ten Pin Bowling - Special Olympics New Zealand, held at Time Zone's Bowling Alley.
I have a genuine, caring interest in others and freely speak out on behalf of others to address their needs. Since early 2019 I have attended the Disabled Person Assembly as the chairperson's right hand man. More recently meetings have been by zoom in response to the dictates of Covid.
It is my hope to be member of the Central Community Board to allow me to be an advocate for the disabled.

Simon KONG

Independent

Simon KONG

My principal place of residence is in the Central Ward of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board area.

Kia ora, my name is Simon Kong and I am running to be your local community board representative.
With a background in events management, I have been involved from a grass roots level supporting the cultural and social expression of communities all over Aotearoa.
Having spent time working inside a district council looking after community facilities, I continue to be motivated by the importance of civil service. Utilising my skills as a visionary thinker, technical producer, and tactical problem solver, I am experienced in bridging diverse challenges to reach practical outcomes.
I am focused on facing into climate change, and representing a community led culture of resilience. As parent and a person who lives in a rental property, I live the challenges of supporting a family in a time of rising cost and housing demand.
I will be a passionate voice for our local community.

Kevin MCDONALD

Freedom Independent

Kevin MCDONALD

My principal place of residence is in the Central Ward of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board area.

I am a retired businessperson and social worker.
I have 4 adult children and 1 grandchild. I lived overseas, but always knew I would return to the best country in the world, Aotearoa.
Christchurch is home. I enjoy living in Linwood a dynamic inner-city suburb undergoing effects of housing intensification.
I have worked for a politician and spent hours volunteering.
I never considered standing for office myself - I believed the politicians had integrity and would make good decisions for people's health and wellbeing.
Now I am standing for the Community Board because the messaging from politicians, experts and media for 2 years have been based on fear. Panic decisions were made that impacted negatively on our communities. If elected I will bring a calm reasoned view to all issues, engaging in open debate, respecting freedom of speech and honouring the principles of truth and love.
Ngā mihi

Stephen MCPAIKE

Independent

Stephen MCPAIKE

My principal place of residence is in the Central Ward of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board area. I am also standing for Council - Central Ward.

Over the last few months, I have invested a lot of time into sewercrisis.nz and helping the residents of the East. This is one of the many things I have worked in for the community over the last few years as well as working with a Community Hub, working with an advocacy agency, as well as working hard to improve community housing with the Warm and Dry Initiative. I would like to work towards a safer city and I personally like to see Christchurch to be the first carbon negative city in New Zealand. In 2021 I walked for 24 hours to raise awareness for Male Survivors of domestic abuse and I plan to continue to raise awareness on this. If you have any questions, ask me via Facebook
www.facebook.com/Stephen4chch

John MILLER

Labour

John MILLER

My principal place of residence is in the Central Ward of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board area.

I want to improve the interface between citizens and Council. As a community advocate and helper, I've learned how to navigate the many parts that make up the Council organisation.
My name's John Miller, and I've lived and worked in the Central Ward for 20 years. My experiences include managing community-owned properties, marketing communications, community development and advocacy. In recent years I was one of several volunteers who developed a Revitalisation Plan for the Inner City East. Successes from our work include a substantial reduction in kerbside dumping, and an interagency group that addressed crime and safety concerns around Linwood Village. Many lessons from these projects can be applied across other parts of Central. I'd like to expand these projects to continue improving public safety. I also believe that a service similar to the pre-2011 yellow City Shuttle buses is key to revitalising the inner city.

 


Disclaimer

This candidate information has been compiled under the Local Electoral Act 2001. The Act provides that an electoral officer is not required to verify or investigate any information included in candidate profile statements and is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in such statement.