Christchurch City Council

Riccarton Ward
The Christchurch City Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 16 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the city). One councillor will be elected from the Riccarton ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Christchurch City Council election.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change poses a huge challenge for communities as more frequent extreme weather events require us to rethink how we live and where. Local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to respond, with responsibilities for environmental planning and regulation, as well as civil defence. Many councils have plans to reduce emissions in their area and are working to help their communities adapt to a warming world.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change poses a huge challenge for communities as more frequent extreme weather events require us to rethink how we live and where. Local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to respond, with responsibilities for environmental planning and regulation, as well as civil defence. Many councils have plans to reduce emissions in their area and are working to help their communities adapt to a warming world.

  • Commit to seeing through the council's plan to be carbon neutral by 2045.

    Facilitate public transport options (expanded bussing, cycling) that lower our emissions and reduce congestion.

  • Increase bus user numbers by maintaining fares at the current low rate, upgrading fleet with e-buses and running a publicity campaign.

    Improve resilience, provide more power to boards, simplify council processes for people and groups, grow community ownership and leadership.

    To lead on climate change, council phases out diesel and petrol vehicles and provides staff with incentives to use alternative transport.

  • Commit to getting current earthquake repairs finished or finalise dates for completion of repairs.

    Commit to having a plan to have earthquake strengthening finished by 2025.

    Ensure Civil Defence has the appropriate resources to be able to respond to quicker emergency events.

  • Ensure the council and regional council work together to future-proof our city for climate change.

    Realise the city in a park vision to create greener, sustainable urban environments.

    Make rapid mass transit public transport a reality for Christchurch.

  • Commit to Christchurch being New Zealand's first carbon neutral city: set clear emissions reduction plans and budgets to achieve this.

    Move the city's bus fleet to carbon zero by electrifying them.

    Build community resilience to natural disaster events: leverage the lesson's of the last decade and advocate for local democracy.

  • Implement a comprehensive action plan to ensure we meet our climate change related targets in all areas.

    Strengthen planning around climate resilience to further prepare communities for negative climate-related events.

    Explore, then commit to, infrastructure investment opportunities that will facilitate Net Zero targets and similar climate ambitions.

  • Commit to seeing through the council's plan to be carbon neutral by 2045.

    Facilitate public transport options (expanded bussing, cycling) that lower our emissions and reduce congestion.

  • Increase bus user numbers by maintaining fares at the current low rate, upgrading fleet with e-buses and running a publicity campaign.

    Improve resilience, provide more power to boards, simplify council processes for people and groups, grow community ownership and leadership.

    To lead on climate change, council phases out diesel and petrol vehicles and provides staff with incentives to use alternative transport.

  • Commit to getting current earthquake repairs finished or finalise dates for completion of repairs.

    Commit to having a plan to have earthquake strengthening finished by 2025.

    Ensure Civil Defence has the appropriate resources to be able to respond to quicker emergency events.

  • Ensure the council and regional council work together to future-proof our city for climate change.

    Realise the city in a park vision to create greener, sustainable urban environments.

    Make rapid mass transit public transport a reality for Christchurch.

  • Commit to Christchurch being New Zealand's first carbon neutral city: set clear emissions reduction plans and budgets to achieve this.

    Move the city's bus fleet to carbon zero by electrifying them.

    Build community resilience to natural disaster events: leverage the lesson's of the last decade and advocate for local democracy.

  • Implement a comprehensive action plan to ensure we meet our climate change related targets in all areas.

    Strengthen planning around climate resilience to further prepare communities for negative climate-related events.

    Explore, then commit to, infrastructure investment opportunities that will facilitate Net Zero targets and similar climate ambitions.