Independent Citizens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairperson | Jason Middlemiss |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours | Yellow |
| Christchurch City Council | 2 / 17 |
| Christchurch Community Board members | 6 / 36 |
| Website | |
| independentcitizens.org.nz | |
Independent Citizens are a local-body political ticket in Christchurch, New Zealand. They contest seats on the Christchurch City Council and on the city's community boards.[1]
The group's members lean centre-right politically.[1] The group serves as the main group for the city's right wing, acting in opposition to the city's centre-left group The People's Choice.[2]
Positions and platform
[edit]The group advocates for traditional centre-right positions, such as lowering rates and spending only on "the basics".[3]
According to Independent Citizens councillor Sam MacDonald, the group's constitution forbids whipping of group members to vote a certain way.[2]
The group is associated with the National Party, though this association is not official.[4]
History
[edit]2022–2025 term
[edit]For the 2022–2025 term, the group had two elected members, James Gough (Fendalton ward)[5] and Sam MacDonald (Waimairi ward).[6][7] They also had six community board members.[8]
2025 election
[edit]In the 2025 election, they put forward 3 candidates for city council. Incumbent Sam MacDonald was re-elected unopposed.[9]
Lists of representatives
[edit]2022–2025 term
[edit]Initially two Independent Citizens candidates were elected as councillors and six were elected to community boards. Luke Chandler was appointed to the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton community board following the resignation of People's Choice-affiliated member Gamal Fouda.[10]
Independent Citizens elected members for the 2022–2025 term included:[‡ 1][10]
| Ward | Name | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Fendalton | James Gough | |
| Waimairi | Sam MacDonald | 
|
| Community board | Subdivision | Name |
| Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood (in majority) | Harewood | Jason Middlemiss |
| Linda Chen | ||
| Waimairi | Shirish Paranjape | |
| Fendalton | David Cartwright | |
| Bridget Williams | ||
| Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton (in minority) | Riccarton | Helen Broughton |
| Luke Chandler |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Gill, Sinead (10 April 2025). "Appointment of 'mate' to community board bad for democracy, critic says". The Press.
- ^ a b Law, Tina (15 January 2022). "Party politics: A blessing or a curse for local government?". Stuff.
- ^ Law, Tina; Harris, Dominic (18 October 2019). "Diverse new group to take seats around Christchurch City Council table". Stuff.
- ^ Gunn, Andrew (27 August 2022). "Local elections heating up, not in a good way". The Press.
- ^ "Fendalton Ward". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Waimairi Ward". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Deputy Mayor and Councillors". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Representatives". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "2025 Triennial Elections | Christchurch City Council". electionz.com. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ a b Herbert, Delphine (3 March 2025), "Imam Gamal Fouda leaving Al Noor Mosque", RNZ, retrieved 7 March 2025
Official results
[edit]- ^ "Declaration of Result" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. 8 October 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.