Independent Citizens

Independent Citizens
ChairpersonJason Middlemiss
Political positionCentre-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

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

2022–2025 term

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

In the 2025 election, they put forward 3 candidates for city council. Incumbent Sam MacDonald was re-elected unopposed.[9]

Lists of representatives

2022–2025 term

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

Electoral performance

Election # of candidates Winning candidates
Mayor Council Board Regional council Total Mayor Council Board Regional council Total
2022 4 ?
2 / 4
?
2025 3 8 11
2 / 3
6 / 8
8 / 11
72.7%

References

  1. ^ a b Gill, Sinead (10 April 2025). "Appointment of 'mate' to community board bad for democracy, critic says". The Press.
  2. ^ a b Law, Tina (15 January 2022). "Party politics: A blessing or a curse for local government?". Stuff.
  3. ^ Law, Tina; Harris, Dominic (18 October 2019). "Diverse new group to take seats around Christchurch City Council table". Stuff.
  4. ^ Gunn, Andrew (27 August 2022). "Local elections heating up, not in a good way". The Press.
  5. ^ "Fendalton Ward". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  6. ^ "Waimairi Ward". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Deputy Mayor and Councillors". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Representatives". Independent Citizens. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  9. ^ "2025 Triennial Elections | Christchurch City Council". electionz.com. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  10. ^ a b Herbert, Delphine (3 March 2025), "Imam Gamal Fouda leaving Al Noor Mosque", RNZ, retrieved 7 March 2025

Official results

  1. ^ "Declaration of Result" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. 8 October 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

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