For immediate release 23 June 2013

Dalziel shares vision for "newest city in the world"

Christchurch mayoralty candidate Lianne Dalziel tonight capped off a busy week by sharing her vision for the future of Christchurch to around 100 invited guests at a formal announcement event at the University of Canterbury.

The current Labour MP for Christchurch East, who announced her candidacy on Wednesday this week, spoke of her excitement on the opportunity to build the "newest city in the world" and what an awesome responsibility that also entailed.

A wide cross section of guests including current councillors Tim Carter and Glenn Livingstone, as well as business and non-profit leaders, heard Dalziel identify the existing "business as usual" approach of the Council as one of the key barriers to Christchurch's recovery.

According to the candidate, "We are in unchartered waters, which always requires a different form of leadership than the one that guides us through familiar territory - that’s what auto-pilot’s for." The recent consents debacle was a clear example of lack of governance and management, and a culture at the Council that needed to change said Dalziel.

Dalziel's wide ranging portfolios and experience as a Minister - including Commerce, Immigration, Senior Citizens, ACC, Disability Issues, Women's Affairs and Small Business - were highlighted as evidence of her ability to govern and navigate the wide ranging needs of the city, as well as work with central government.

Empowering communities to drive their recovery, transparency in decision making, responsible financial management and a united Council with representatives from across the political spectrum were identified as key goals.

"We can do this and we can do it well," said Dalziel. "But to do it well, we cannot leave it to chance – it must be by design. And it must remain future focused."

Dalziel revealed the campaign launch, including a detailed action plan, would follow in the spring.

ENDS

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