priorities

Riccarton is one of the most diverse, fastest-growing parts of our city — and it deserves leadership that makes sure people don’t just get by, but thrive. That means creating real opportunities for work, business, and education, while building a community that feels safe and connected for everyone.

My focus is on the things that matter most: homes people can afford, streets and public spaces where you feel secure, transport that actually works, and a city that invests wisely in its future. At the same time, it’s about giving our young people opportunities, supporting local business, and ensuring growth is planned in a way that strengthens neighbourhoods rather than strains them.

These eight priorities reflect what I believe Riccarton and Christchurch need most — a community where people feel safe, supported, and proud to call home.

HOUSING

  1. Build more homes close to transport, shops, and schools so people can live well-connected lives.

  2. Back Kāinga Ora and emergency housing — but push for quality design and services that support communities, not isolate them.

  3. Encourage smarter density through mixed-use hubs and along transit corridors, rather than blanket rezoning that strains infrastructure.

  4. Champion inclusionary zoning and partnerships with iwi and community housing providers to deliver affordable housing options.

Democracy & Local Voice

  1. Expand local decision-making powers so communities have a real say in shaping their neighbourhoods.

  2. Strengthen community assemblies like the Riccarton Collective to ensure everyday residents are part of big decisions.

  3. Reinstate groups like the Multicultural Committee and create youth and equity advisory panels to ensure diverse voices are represented.

  4. Push for plain-language consultation so people don’t need to be policy experts to participate.

Infrastructure & Transport

  1. Prioritise safe, reliable infrastructure: well-maintained roads, footpaths, and drainage that cut down on flooding.

  2. Push investment into rapid bus corridors and cycling networks that make it easier to get around without a car.

  3. Deliver better maintenance programmes so residents see value in core services like road renewals, water networks, and street upkeep.

  4. Tie growth areas to stronger investment in local assets like Wharenui Pool and Sockburn Park, ensuring facilities grow with the community.

Community & Safety

  1. Deliver better street lighting and CCTV in key hotspots to improve safety at night.

  2. Support roving security partnerships (like the CCBA’s in the CBD) for Riccarton’s business and residential areas.

  3. Revitalise central Riccarton with streetscape upgrades, new planting, and activation of public spaces to bring pride back to the heart of the suburb.

  4. Partner with community groups to expand youth programmes that keep young people engaged and safe.

  5. Launch a fast-response anti-graffiti programme backed by community art and mural projects.

  6. Roll out more bins and targeted clean-up drives in high-use areas across Riccarton.

  7. Partner with schools and community groups on waste and recycling activations that build local pride.

climate & future planning

  1. Commit Christchurch to climate neutral by 2030 with staged, realistic milestones.

  2. Develop micro-forests and urban tree planting in Riccarton to clean air, cool streets, and create local pride.

  3. Tie housing growth to transit investment to cut congestion and carbon emissions.

  4. Expand stormwater resilience projects so neighbourhoods can handle more extreme weather events.

Finance & Affordability

  1. Keep rates rises manageable by prioritising essentials and cutting low-value spending.

  2. Push for transparent, easy-to-read budgets so people know exactly where their money goes.

  3. Explore new revenue tools (like targeted levies for major developments) to ease pressure on household rates.

  4. Protect and invest in strategic assets that deliver long-term value, rather than selling off what future generations will need.

Business & Local Economy

  1. Back Riccarton’s role as a commercial hub with targeted upgrades that attract foot traffic and investment.

  2. Support small businesses with streamlined consents and a “one front door” approach at Council.

  3. Partner with UC, Ngāi Tahu, and the private sector to build pathways into tech, health, and green jobs.

  4. Encourage innovation by creating shared workspaces and business incubators in underused council facilities.

Youth & Opportunity

  1. Expand after-school, sport, and creative programmes so young people have safe, inspiring spaces to be.

  2. Establish a Youth Advisory Group that directly feeds into Council decisions.

  3. Back initiatives that give young people skills in entrepreneurship, climate action, and leadership — preparing them to shape the city’s future.

  4. Work with schools and UC to connect young people into mentoring, internships, and leadership opportunities here in Christchurch.