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Christchurch City Council

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Christchurch City Council

Te Kaunihera o Ōtautahi
Christchurch coat of arms
Coat of arms
Christchurch City Council brand logo
Brand logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
Established1 November 1989; 36 years ago
Preceded byChristchurch City Council
New session started
17 October 2025
Leadership
Phil Mauger, Ind.
since 25 October 2022
Deputy
Victoria Henstock, Ind.
since 30 October 2025
Mary Richardson
since 3 October 2024
Structure
Seats17 (including mayor)
Graph of the party split among 17 seats.
Political groups
  •   Independent (8)
  •   People's Choice and Labour (7)[a]
  •   Independent Citizens (2)
Elections
First-past-the-post
First election
14 October 1989
Last election
11 October 2025
Next election
14 October 2028
Motto
Fide condita, fructu beata, spe fortis
Meeting place
Hereford Street Civic Offices
Hereford Street Civic Offices
Website
www.ccc.govt.nz

Christchurch City Council (abbr. CCC; Māori: Te Kaunihera o Ōtautahi) is the territorial authority for the city of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula in New Zealand. It serves as the area's local government alongside Environment Canterbury as the regional council.

A city council of the same name was first formed in 1862. Following the 1989 reforms to local government, that city council was dissolved and the current authority established. Prior to 2006, Banks Peninsula was administered separately by the Banks Peninsula District Council.

The governing body of the council has 16 councillors and is chaired by the mayor of Christchurch (currently Phil Mauger since October 2022). There are also several community boards.

Jurisdiction

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Location of the territory of the Christchurch City Council within New Zealand.

The authority has local government responsibility over the main urban area of Christchurch alongside the rural Banks Peninsula and its settlements, including Akaroa and Lyttelton.[1]

History

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Predecessor

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The original Christchurch City Council was formed in 1862 to serve as the local municipality for Christchurch city. The jurisdiction of the original council was quite small, covering what is today just the central core of the city. By the mid-1920s the city had grown by amalgamating with some of the surrounding boroughs to include Beckenham, St Martins, Linwood, Opawa and Papanui.[2]

1989 reforms

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As a result of the 1989 local government reforms, the original council was disestablished, and on 1 November 1989 the new Christchurch City Council took over the functions of the former Christchurch City Council as well as the Heathcote County Council, Riccarton Borough Council, Waimairi District Council, part of Paparua County Council, and the Christchurch Drainage Board. On 6 March 2006, Banks Peninsula District Council merged with Christchurch City Council.[3]

Banks Peninsula amalgamation

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Following a vote held in November 2005,[4] the Banks Peninsula District merged into Christchurch City on 6 March 2006.[5][6]

Earthquake response

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Whilst public transport is the responsibility of regional councils, the Christchurch City Council provided a free central city service. The Shuttle operated from December 1998 to February 2011 and came to an end with the February 22 earthquake.[7]

In July 2013, Christchurch City Council lost its accreditation for issuing building consents, in the middle of a rebuild period following the devastating February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.[8] A Crown manager, Doug Martin, was installed to reform the council's building consent department.[9] The Council successfully obtained reaccreditation in December 2014.[10]

Withdrawal from LGNZ

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In mid-June 2024, the Christchurch City Council announced it would be withdrawing from Local Government New Zealand after the local government bodies association raised its annual membership costs by more than NZ$20,000. Mayor Phil Mauger welcomed the withdrawal, saying that it would allow the Council to directly advocate for issues important to Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.[11]

Governing body

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Mayor

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Under most circumstances, the council is presided over by the mayor. At its first meeting after a local election, the council elects from among its members a deputy mayor, who acts as mayor in the absence and with the consent, or in the incapacity, of the mayor. The deputy mayor also presides at meetings if the mayor is not present. The deputy mayor is recommended by the mayor and is either confirmed or replaced in a vote of the first council meeting.

Current composition

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The current elected members were chosen at the 2025 New Zealand local elections. Since then, two by-elections have been held to fill vacancies on community boards — one in the Innes ward and another in the Lyttelton subdivision of Banks Peninsula. In addition, one vacancy was filled by appointment under section 117(3)(a) of the Local Electoral Act 2001.[12]

Role Portrait Name Affiliation Ward
Mayor Phil Mauger Let's Get Stuff Done Elected at-large
Deputy mayor Victoria Henstock Your Local Independent Community Voice Papanui
Councillor Tyrone Fields The People's Choice Banks Peninsula
Councillor Kelly Barber Independent for Burwood Burwood
Councillor Tim Scandrett Independent Cashmere
Councillor Jake McLellan Labour Central
Councillor Celeste Donovan Independent Coastal
Councillor David Cartwright Independent Citizens Fendalton
Councillor Andrei Moore Independent Halswell
Councillor Aaron Keown Independent Candidate for Harewood Harewood
Councillor Nathaniel Herz Jardine The People's Choice Heathcote
Councillor Mark Peters Independent for Hornby Hornby
Councillor Yani Johanson The People's Choice – Labour Linwood
Councillor Pauline Cotter The People's Choice Innes
Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt The People's Choice Riccarton
Councillor Melanie Coker The People's Choice – Labour Spreydon
Councillor Sam MacDonald Independent Citizens Waimairi

Chief executive

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Chief executive of Christchurch City Council
Incumbent
Bede Carran (acting)
Inaugural holderJohn H Gray
Formation1 November 1989; 36 years ago (1989-11-01)
Websiteccc.govt.nz

The professional head of the civil service is the chief executive, who is appointed by the council under contract for up to five years. The chief executive is assisted by a team of general managers, who each have an individualised portfolio.[13]

In early July 2013, CEO Tony Marryatt was put on indefinite leave on full pay over the council losing its accreditation with International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) to issue building consents, one of council's core functions.[14] General manager Jane Parfitt was appointed acting CEO.[15] Karleen Edwards was chief executive from June 2014 to June 2019. In July 2019, she was succeeded by Dawn Baxendale.[16] Baxendale resigned in November 2023, and was replaced by Mary Richardson on an interim basis.[17]

Years Name
1989–1993 John Gray[18][19]
1993–2003 Mike Richardson[20]
2003–2007 Lesley McTurk[20][21]
2007–2013 Tony Marryatt[14][21]
2013–2014 Jane Parfitt (acting)[15]
2014–2019 Karleen Edwards[22]
2019 Mary Richardson (acting)
2019–2023 Dawn Baxendale
2023–present Mary Richardson (interim)

Wards

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The 16 councillors are each individually elected from one of 16 electoral wards.[23][24]

  • Banks Peninsula ward – Covers the whole of Banks Peninsula, including the subdivisions of Akaroa, Lyttelton, Wairewa, and Mount Herbert.[25]
  • Burwood ward – Covers the suburbs of Aranui, Wainoni, Bexley, Burwood, Avondale, Dallington, Shirley East, Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, Prestons, Waitikiri, Marshlands and Travis Wetlands.[26]
  • Cashmere ward – Covers the suburbs of Westmorland, Cracroft, Somerfield, Cashmere, Beckenham, Huntsbury, and St Martins.[27]
  • Central ward – Apart from the central city, it covers the suburbs of Richmond, Linwood Village, Avon Loop, Phillipstown and Charleston.[28]
  • Coastal ward – Covers the suburbs of the suburbs of Brooklands, Spencerville, Kāinga, Ouruhia, Queenspark, Parklands, Waimairi Beach, North New Brighton, New Brighton, South New Brighton, and Southshore.[29]
  • Fendalton ward – Covers the suburbs of Fendalton, Merivale, Strowan and Bryndwr as well as parts of Ilam, Burnside and St Albans.[30]
  • Halswell ward – Covers the suburbs of Halswell, Wigram, Aidanfield and Kennedys Bush.[31]
  • Harewood ward – Covers the suburbs of Bishopdale, Harewood, Northwood and Belfast and parts of Casebrook and Yaldhurst.[32]
  • Heathcote ward – Covers the suburbs of Sydenham, Waltham, Opawa, Murray Aynsley, Heathcote Valley, Ferrymead, Saint Andrews Hill, Mt Pleasant, Moncks Spur, Redcliffs, Sumner, Scarborough and Onepoto Taylors Mistake.[33]
  • Hornby ward – Covers the suburbs of Hornby, Hei Hei, Islington and Yaldhurst, as well as parts of Wigram and Sockburn.[34]
  • Innes ward – Covers the suburbs of Edgeware, Mairehau, Shirley, and St Albans.[35]
  • Linwood ward – Covers the suburbs of Linwood, Woolston, and Bromley.[36]
  • Papanui ward – Covers the suburbs of Papanui, Redwood, Northcote and Sawyers Arms.[37]
  • Riccarton ward – Covers the suburbs of Riccarton, Ilam, Sockburn and Upper Riccarton.[38]
  • Spreydon ward – Covers the suburbs of Addington, Hillmorton, Hoon Hay and Spreydon.[39]
  • Waimairi ward – Covers the suburbs of Russley, Avonhead and Burnside as well as parts of Ilam.[40]

Offices

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Christchurch civic offices
Christchurch's civic offices through the years (clockwise from top left): Christchurch Land Office (1862–1887), Our City (1887–1924), The Civic (1924–1980), civic offices in Tuam (1980–2010) and Hereford (2010–present) streets
1862–1887

The Christchurch Municipal Council, as it was originally called, was using the Christchurch Land Office, the first public building erected in Christchurch in 1851.[41]

1887–1924

On the same site, the council had the so far only purpose-built Municipal chambers constructed, designed by Samuel Hurst Seager in a Queen Anne style. Many years after the council moved out in 1920 the building became known as Our City and is registered as a Category I heritage building with Heritage New Zealand (NZHPT).[41][42]

1924–1980

Council purchased the burned out shell of the former Canterbury Hall and built new Municipal offices in Manchester Street. Later it became known as The Civic, after the name of the Restaurant and bar of the same name. The building was registered as a Category II heritage building with the NZHPT,[41][43] and was demolished after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

1980–2010

Council bought the former Miller's Department Store and moved to 163 Tuam Street in 1980.[41] This gave rise to the occasional metonymic use of Tuam Street to refer to the municipal government. The building was registered as a Category II heritage building with the NZHPT,[41][44] and was demolished after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

2010 to present

In August 2010,[41] the Council's new offices were officially opened in a refurbishment of the former Christchurch Mail Sorting Centre, designed by the Ministry of Works in 1974. The redevelopment was supervised by Wellington-based architect Ian Athfield.

The council also maintains service centres in the suburbs of Fendalton, Hornby, Linwood, Papanui, Riccarton, Shirley, and in the towns of Lyttelton, Little River and Akaroa.

Elections

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The council is elected every three years using the first-past-the-post voting system. The vote is conducted by postal ballot. The 2016 elections had a turnout of 38.3% down from 42.9% and 52.2% in 2013 and 2010 respectively.[45]

Prior to the 2004 local elections, there were 24 councillors in Christchurch. At that election, the number of councillors halved to 12.[46] For electoral purposes, Christchurch was divided into six wards from 2004, and seven wards after the amalgamation with Banks Peninsula in 2006. The six metropolitan wards each elected two councillors, with the remaining councillor elected for the sparsely populated Banks Peninsula ward. The 2016 representation review by the Local Government Commission has resulted in 16 wards, with each ward electing one councillor, i.e. an increase in three councillors.[47]

Political groupings represented on the council are the centre-right Independent Citizens[48] and the centre-left The People's Choice (formerly Christchurch 2021).[49] Party politics are less influential in elections to the council than is the case for the House of Representatives, with 10 councillors elected on tickets and 7 elected as independents in 2019, including the mayor.

List

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Council

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Mayoral

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Community boards

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The council has established six community boards.[50][24] These community boards deal with matters delegated to them by the council, act as representatives and advocates for their communities, and interact with community organisations and interest groups. General tasks typically delegated to local community boards are the locations of council rubbish bins, traffic lights, stop signs and pedestrian crossings; Also rubbish collection, local disturbance review and relaying information to the main council from their Ward area through the Councillor who has a right to sit on the board within their ward. Some community boards, like the council, have created committees for specific purposes.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Includes 4 People's Choice councillors, 2 joint ticket councillors and 1 Labour councillor

References

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  1. ↑ "Ward and Community Boards map". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Wilson, John, "17: The city and its administrative growth", Christchurch City Contextual History Overview: Theme V: Government and Administration (PDF), pp. 172–192
  3. ↑ "City Scene — Merger: 'Business as usual'". Christchurch City Council. March 2006. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "Banks Peninsula residents want to join Christchurch". The New Zealand Herald. 19 November 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "City Scene – Merger: 'Business as usual'". Christchurch City Council. March 2006. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Banks Peninsula District Council – Main". Department of Internal Affairs. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Hayward, Michael (16 October 2017). "CBD shuttle trail (sic) would have to be funded by council or by cutting other services". Stuff. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  8. ↑ Cairns, Lois; Young, Rachel (1 July 2013). "Council to be banned from issuing consents". The Press. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  9. ↑ Young, Rachel; Conway, Glenn (5 September 2013). "'Major challenges' ahead". The Press. p. A2. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ "Christchurch councillors decide to exit LGNZ". RNZ. 19 June 2024. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  12. ↑ "Agenda of Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board – Thursday, 1 May 2025".
  13. ↑ "CCC Organisation Chart". Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Mayor withdraws support for Marryatt". The Press. 4 July 2013. p. A1. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  15. 1 2 "Parfitt steps up to fill council's 'hot seat'". The Press. 4 July 2013. p. A2.
  16. ↑ Kenny, Lee (12 July 2019). "Pay hike for new boss". The Press. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  17. ↑ Bayer, Kurt (19 November 2023), "Christchurch City Council chief executive Dawn Baxendale resigns", The New Zealand Herald, archived from the original on 28 November 2023, retrieved 2 September 2024
  18. ↑ "Ratepayers' lot left unchanged". The Press. 23 May 1989. p. 8. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "New Chch city executive". The Press. 21 August 1993. p. 8. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Lesley McTurk is new Christchurch city manager". The New Zealand Herald. 12 February 2003. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  21. 1 2 McCrone, John (25 February 2012). "Double acts in the city". The Press. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  22. ↑ Cairns, Lois (10 May 2014). "New CEO aware of challenges". The Press. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  23. ↑ "Deputy Mayor and Councillors". ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  24. 1 2 "Ward and Community Boards map". ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  25. ↑ "TE PĀTAKA O RĀKAIHAUTŪ BANKS PENINSULA WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  26. ↑ "BURWOOD WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  27. ↑ "CASHMERE WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  28. ↑ "CENTRAL WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  29. ↑ "COASTAL WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  30. ↑ "FENDALTON WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  31. ↑ "HALSWELL WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  32. ↑ "HAREWOOD WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  33. ↑ "HEATHCOTE WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  34. ↑ "HORNBY WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  35. ↑ "INNES WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  36. ↑ "LINWOOD WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  37. ↑ "PAPANUI WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  38. ↑ "RICCARTON WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  39. ↑ "SPREYDON WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  40. ↑ "WAIMAIRI WARD PROFILE" (PDF). ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Remembering our former homes as we move to the Council's new Home on Hereford". Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  42. ↑ "Our City". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  43. ↑ "Civic". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  44. ↑ "Civic Offices, Tuam Street". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  45. ↑ "Final Voter Turnout 2016". Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  46. ↑ Gamble, Warren (3 December 2011). "Winston's men ready to rumble". The Press. p. C8.
  47. ↑ Stylianou, Georgina (19 April 2016). "Battle lines drawn for seats". The Press. p. A1. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  48. ↑ Independent Citizens Association: http://www.independentcitizens.org.nz Archived 1 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  49. ↑ The People's Choice: http://www.thepeopleschoice.org.nz Archived 2 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  50. ↑ "Community Boards". ccc.govt.nz. Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
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43°31′54″S 172°37′54″E / 43.53174°S 172.63173°E / -43.53174; 172.63173

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