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© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2025
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by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

The close races, newbies and reactions: Christchurch City Council's election results

Politics

Aleksandra Bogdanova
Reuben Smith
selfie bridge
People taking a selfie in the Central City  Reuben Smith/NZBS

Out of 13 wards up for grabs, all 11 incumbents who ran again retained their seats. Nathaniel Herz Jardine and David Cartwright are the newest additions to the council table.

In the Banks Peninsula ward, Christchurch’s biggest, incumbent Tyrone Fields won the seat with 2649 votes. He took to Facebook to thank voters.

He was up against Dave Dunlay, who received 938 votes. "It’s a bit gutting after all the effort and energy that’s gone in", he says about the result, "but I want to congratulate Tyrone Fields on his win and the strong support he’s had across Banks Peninsula."

In Burwood ward, incumbent councillor Kelly Barber won the seat with 4925 votes.

He was up against Fionna Chapman, who received 1294 votes. She thanks her supporters in her first-ever political campaign, despite "results not being in her favour."

Incumbent Tim Scandrett won the Cashmere seat with 5076 votes.

He was up against Clare Marks, who received 2666 votes. She told Metro News, "I've been so lucky to have been shown such kindness and encouragement during this process, and whatever the outcome, I am truly grateful for that."

In the Central ward, incumbent Jake McLellan won the seat with 1634 votes. On Facebook, he said he was thrilled with the result. Saying he's excited to make progress with new community board members, Dr Sunita Gautam and John Miller.

For the other four candidates, Raf Manji received 994 votes, Hayley Guglietta received 763, Tom Roud received 308 votes, and Mace Reid received 203.

In the Coastal ward, incumbent Celeste Donovan won the seat with 4155 votes. She says she's humbled to get re-elected and is keen to get back to work.

In the Fendalton ward, community board chair and newbie David Cartwright won the seat with 4707 votes.

He says he is incredibly excited and a little bit nervous about his win.

He says he was out painting the fence when he heard the news.

"I wasn't expecting the results this soon," he says.

He puts down his community board experience and his roles as a JP and business owner as key reasons for his win.

"We've got to get up to speed and get an understanding of how we're going to work together," he says in regard to day one at the council table.

"Christchurch is in a unique position for moving forward."

He congratulated his Fendalton competition, Xavier Dickason and Diane Ellis, on their campaigns. Who received 1432 votes and 574 votes respectively.

In the Halswell ward, incumbent Andrei Moore won the seat with 6691 votes, the most votes received by a councillor. 

Dylan Smart, the only other candidate in Halswell, received 1062 votes.

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Political billboards of candidates around the city. Reuben Smith/NZBS

In the Heathcote ward, newbie Nathaniel Herz Jardine won the seat with 4486 votes. 

He says he's elated and relieved by the result.

"I'm just hanging out here with some friends, celebrating with some beers," he says.

He thanks his supporters and volunteers on his campaigns, saying he plans to hit the ground running with understanding council processes and his big campaign issues in his first days as a councillor.

Big issues he's campaigned for are keeping rates down, not selling off council investments and restoring abandoned shopfronts and houses in the area. He hopes his competitor, lawyer Ian Kearney, who received 3220 votes, will remain a strong voice in the community.

In the Innes ward, incumbent Pauline Cotter won the seat with 2873 votes, closely followed by rival Ali Jones with 2734 votes. "I’m truly grateful for the support, encouragement, and votes that have brought me back to represent our wonderful community for another three years," Cotter says.

Last election, the closeness of votes triggered a recount, leading to Cotter beating Jones by just 8 votes.

Linwood Ward's incumbent councillor, Yani Johanson, maintains his seat for another term. Johanson has consistently held the council seat since 2007, winning the 2025 election with 3290 votes.

Evan Baker received 753 votes, and Ethan Gullery got 377.

Riccarton Ward saw a close vote in favour of incumbent councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt, who garnered 1431 votes. He came in only 406 more than Tony Simons, who stood at 1025 votes.

The remaining three candidates, Sam Yau, Debbie Mora and Mark Chirnside garnered 560, 329 and 204 votes respectively. Mora lands a spot on the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board. 

Dr Melanie Coker secured her re-election for the Spreydon Ward with 3733 votes.

Runners up Ben Yorston received 785 votes, Terry Craze with 342, and perennial candidate Tubby Hansen got 91.

Incumbent Victoria Henstock of Papanui Ward won her seat for a second year with 3991 votes.

Her challenger, Simon Britten, received 1862 votes and retained his spot on the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board.