2021 Coastal Bi-Election
This year, Councillor James Daniels previously of the Coastal Ward has stepped down! So there are 7 candidates vying for this spot! Are you in the coastal ward? Vote today and make your voice heard!
Do you live in the Coastal Ward?! Vote Now.
Votes can be delivered to a ballot box before the close of voting at 12pm on Friday the 8th October.
Ballot boxes are located at the following places:
New Brighton Library
Parklands Library Shirley Library
Service Centre Council’s Civic Offices.
Ballot boxes are located at the following places:
New Brighton Library
Parklands Library Shirley Library
Service Centre Council’s Civic Offices.
Candidate Responses:
We asked the Councillor Candidates a few questions. Check out the responses from those who answered below!
David East
Why do you want to become Councillor for the Coastal ward?
I was narrowly defeated in the last election by a candidate who has now resigned. There is a strong “genetic disposition” to serve my Community, My Great Grandfather and Grandfather served on the New Brighton Borough Council, my parents were very Community involved and I have had several years involvement with numerous community groups in the Ward and have had significant previous experience both as a City Councillor and Community Board member.
What are your top three priorities for the Coastal Ward?
I was narrowly defeated in the last election by a candidate who has now resigned. There is a strong “genetic disposition” to serve my Community, My Great Grandfather and Grandfather served on the New Brighton Borough Council, my parents were very Community involved and I have had several years involvement with numerous community groups in the Ward and have had significant previous experience both as a City Councillor and Community Board member.
What are your top three priorities for the Coastal Ward?
- Ensuring the proposed Coastal Hazards Chapter of the District Plan is developed with meaningful Community involvement and outcomes that are compatible and agreeable with local desires and outcomes. These outcomes also need to be compatible with actual Sea level rise and climate change i.e. a balanced adaptable approach is required
- Complete restoration of earthquake damage to Roads, infrastructure and the estuary edge
- Continue to progress the issues of the New Brighton Mall alongside addressing the issues that matter most to all residents in the Ward.
What are your top three priorities for Christchurch?
- An overhaul of Consultation, engagement and submission processes. We are often over consulted and local opinions, desires and values are not recognised. Too many predetermined outcomes
- A fresh perspective in addressing inefficiencies in Council spending
- Address deficiencies in the District Plan that are impeding the rebuild of the CityWhat action do you think the Council needs to take to help address Climate Change?
What action do you think the Council needs to take to help address Climate Change?
I am very much in favour of an Adaptive Management approach. Start with a “now” position, assess possible changes for the next 10 ( or whatever time is appropriate) years and implement actions that will address these changes. At the end of the period, asses actual change, carry on if no change or re set the required actions for the next period.
Why should we vote for you and what will you bring to the table? Significant experience in Local government, an independent member that is prepared to work collaboratively with all elected members, voting with an attitude of what is best for my community and / or the city. I am described as an “action oriented person who prefers to take the most efficient route. A person that enjoys making things happen and typically finds a way through difficult situations”
What five words would your friends use to describe you?
Strategic, Deliberative, Individualisation, Achiever, Adaptability
Where are we most likely to find you on a Sunday afternoon? Probably at the beach
What is a skill you'd like to learn and why?
I am reasonably computer literate especially with Excel. Whilst I am conversant with some social media, I would like to be more proficient, as this is the future in communication particularly with the generation that will in the not to distant future lead us in Local and Central Government
I am very much in favour of an Adaptive Management approach. Start with a “now” position, assess possible changes for the next 10 ( or whatever time is appropriate) years and implement actions that will address these changes. At the end of the period, asses actual change, carry on if no change or re set the required actions for the next period.
Why should we vote for you and what will you bring to the table? Significant experience in Local government, an independent member that is prepared to work collaboratively with all elected members, voting with an attitude of what is best for my community and / or the city. I am described as an “action oriented person who prefers to take the most efficient route. A person that enjoys making things happen and typically finds a way through difficult situations”
What five words would your friends use to describe you?
Strategic, Deliberative, Individualisation, Achiever, Adaptability
Where are we most likely to find you on a Sunday afternoon? Probably at the beach
What is a skill you'd like to learn and why?
I am reasonably computer literate especially with Excel. Whilst I am conversant with some social media, I would like to be more proficient, as this is the future in communication particularly with the generation that will in the not to distant future lead us in Local and Central Government
Celeste Donovan
Why do you want to become Councillor for the Coastal ward?
Our city needs fresh, independent and dynamic thinking if it is going to respond to future challenges, such as climate change. With broad experience across local government, as well as chairing two community organisations, I have experience working with others to find innovative solutions. Our coastal communities need a strong local advocate who listens to residents and gives 100% commitment to the job. I am one of those people and I will work hard and make a difference for our communities.
What are your top three priorities for the Coastal Ward?
Climate Change. Working with communities to give them in say around climate adaptation. We need councillors who will lobby council to take climate change seriously and to advocate for our communities to ensure they have a real say in their future.
Better representation. Right now, residents are not being involved in decision making and there are far too many barriers to engagement. There is also a serious representation gap, especially among younger citizens. This needs to change. We need to improve access to decision makers, reform outdated systems, strengthen youth voice and to encourage active citizenship. See more here: https://celestedonovan.co.nz/a/pI6UjfH
Community wellbeing. We need to invest into our communities to ensure we have strong, healthy and resilient communities. This means more funding for community groups and infrastructure as well as a focus on getting the basics right, such as repairs to roads, footpaths and stormwater systems.
What action do you think the Council needs to take to help address Climate Change?
Climate change is the biggest issue of our generation and we can't do that without urgently tackling transport emissions, which form over half of our emissions. I will lobby the council to work with the community to create a transition plan toward a low carbon and resilient New Zealand. This includes plans to
Our city needs fresh, independent and dynamic thinking if it is going to respond to future challenges, such as climate change. With broad experience across local government, as well as chairing two community organisations, I have experience working with others to find innovative solutions. Our coastal communities need a strong local advocate who listens to residents and gives 100% commitment to the job. I am one of those people and I will work hard and make a difference for our communities.
What are your top three priorities for the Coastal Ward?
Climate Change. Working with communities to give them in say around climate adaptation. We need councillors who will lobby council to take climate change seriously and to advocate for our communities to ensure they have a real say in their future.
Better representation. Right now, residents are not being involved in decision making and there are far too many barriers to engagement. There is also a serious representation gap, especially among younger citizens. This needs to change. We need to improve access to decision makers, reform outdated systems, strengthen youth voice and to encourage active citizenship. See more here: https://celestedonovan.co.nz/a/pI6UjfH
Community wellbeing. We need to invest into our communities to ensure we have strong, healthy and resilient communities. This means more funding for community groups and infrastructure as well as a focus on getting the basics right, such as repairs to roads, footpaths and stormwater systems.
What action do you think the Council needs to take to help address Climate Change?
Climate change is the biggest issue of our generation and we can't do that without urgently tackling transport emissions, which form over half of our emissions. I will lobby the council to work with the community to create a transition plan toward a low carbon and resilient New Zealand. This includes plans to
- promote walking, cycling, public transport and other low carbon transport
- options
- improve the efficiency of homes, businesses and other infrastructure
- support the use of renewable energy and uptake of electric vehicles
- Advocate for communities to ensure they have a real say in the future of their area
Why should we vote for you and what will you bring to the table?
I have the skills, local knowledge and passion to make a difference at council. I have worked in government, have a Masters in Politics and Law and am engaged locally so have a track record of fronting Council on key projects. These experiences have given me an understanding of the key issues facing our community, the know-how to navigate complex processes at council and how to advocate effectively to get results.
What five words would your friends use to describe you?
Determined, passionate, articulate, cheeky, rebel.
Where are we most likely to find you on a Sunday afternoon?
If it’s a summers day, then at the beach reading a book or listening to music with friends.
What is a skill you'd like to learn and why?
I know sigh language but my skills are a bit rusty, so I’d really love to a refresher course to improve my fluency. I’d also like to learn surfing, despite my – irrational – fear of sharks (I blame my early obsession with the movie, Jaws).
I have the skills, local knowledge and passion to make a difference at council. I have worked in government, have a Masters in Politics and Law and am engaged locally so have a track record of fronting Council on key projects. These experiences have given me an understanding of the key issues facing our community, the know-how to navigate complex processes at council and how to advocate effectively to get results.
What five words would your friends use to describe you?
Determined, passionate, articulate, cheeky, rebel.
Where are we most likely to find you on a Sunday afternoon?
If it’s a summers day, then at the beach reading a book or listening to music with friends.
What is a skill you'd like to learn and why?
I know sigh language but my skills are a bit rusty, so I’d really love to a refresher course to improve my fluency. I’d also like to learn surfing, despite my – irrational – fear of sharks (I blame my early obsession with the movie, Jaws).
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