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.

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 West/Ōpuna: 
Michael Bennett 
Sara Gerard (The People's Choice) 
Colin Meurk (The People's Choice) 
Deon Swiggs (Independent) 

Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi: 
Ian Mackenzie 
John Sunckell (Independent) 
Peter Trolove (Independent) 
Helen Troy (Independent) 

South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi: 
Peter Scott (Independent) 
Toni Severin 
Nick Ward 

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 Central/Ōhoko 
Benjamin Alexander (Independent) 
Ross Boswell (Independent) 
Lindon Boyce (Independent) 
Alexandra Davids (Affiliation Pending Approval) 
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 (Affiliation Pending Approval) 

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 
Ms 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 
Confirmed list of candidates with contact information: electionz.com 
How to find which constituency you vote in: Find your constituency 
Read the pre-election report, which outlines key challenges, opportunities, major projects, and financial information to help candidates and voters ahead of the local elections. Download the report (PDF, 6.2MB) 

Ngāi Tahu representation 
* TheCanterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022enables Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to select two councillors with full voting rights to Environment Canterbury’s Council. This brings the total number of councillors to 16.

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