< Back Staff Recommendation Ignored 3 Dec 2024 Today's Council vote on improving traffic flow on Cranford St was infuriating. The Council decided to support the local Community Board which ignored the staff recommendation and expert advice for a clearway. Public consultation also favoured the clearway. It is not surprising the public are frustrated and fed up with Council processes that they, understandably, feel are pointless and ignore their views. Today some Councillors reinforced a 'we know best' mentality in an effort to force people on to busses. There is a time and a place to prioritise the efficiency of our transport network. This was the time. This was the place.T Previous Next

< Back Papanui Bush Planting Day 7 June 3 Jun 2025 Join me at the Papanui Bush Community Planting Day Saturday 7 June 2025 9am – 12.30pm Previous Next

A Professional and Experienced leader Thanks for visiting my website, I'm proud to be the independent voice representing the Papanui Ward on Christchurch City Council — focusing on community, not politics. I am a strong local voice at the council table, one that isn’t tied to a political party or hidden agenda. I’m genuinely excited about the future of Christchurch. We are entering a pivotal chapter, with the upcoming completion of two landmark civic projects set to elevate our city’s profile and transform how we live, play, and connect. The One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha is set to open in April 2026, delivering a world-class venue with capacity for 30,000 spectators at sporting events and up to 37,500 for concerts. Meanwhile, the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, expected to be completed by October 2025, will become New Zealand’s largest aquatic and indoor recreation facility. These projects represent a significant milestone—a true watershed moment—for Christchurch. They will energise our city, boost our economy, and enhance quality of life. “If you want to create effective and sustainable change for our community over time, then you must work with your local community, you must listen to what they say, and you must not force change against them because they will only get resentful.” Victoria Henstock The Press As we look to the future with optimism, it’s equally important that we stay focused on fiscal responsibility and deliver the core services our communities rely on. Getting the basics right must remain our priority as we grow. My key areas of focus are: Keeping Rates down! Spending Smarter- Focus on what matters — safe streets, reliable infrastructure, and services that enhance community wellbeing. Cut wasteful projects and over-the-top spending, like unnecessary speed humps or over-engineered cycleways. Let’s build a financially fit city. Getting the Basics Right - Improve traffic flow, fix roads, improve services, and maintain the places we love. No frills, no fuss — just a Council that gets things done. Protecting Our Environment - Take practical steps to keep Christchurch green, liveable, and future-ready. Smart climate action; more trees; efficient, flowing transport — no grandstanding, just progress. Prior to my election in 2022 I was a practicing lawyer for 20+ years, before embarking on a career in executive management, including: Executive Director of the post-earthquake Independent Hearings Panel for the City's long-term District Plan, Executive Director of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust General Manager , Strategy and Influence for Ngai Tahu. With a strong history of community service, and a professional background in law, governance and executive leadership I am a strong advocate for Papanui, not afraid to have tough conversations and will continue to fight for the right of our people to have a say in their own future. I am a pragmatic and strategic thinker. I have brought a mix of vision, practical and inclusive decision-making, professionalism, and experience to the Council table. Victoria Henstock Proudly Papanui Let’s build a financially fit city . No frills, no fuss — just a Council that gets things done. Keep rates down Get the basics right! A Strong Local Voice Family focused and community minded Practical not Political

< Back Cancer Society Visit Victoria Henstock 9 Mar 2023 Mayor Phil Mauger and I recently visited the new Cancer Society Canterbury-West Coast cancer centre under construction in Papanui. This is a much needed facility for cancer patients and their families from across the South Island. It’s great to see this project nearing completion. Previous Next

< Back Cycleway to be paused for more community consultation Victoria Henstock 9 Mar 2023 Thanks to my motion in Council last week you can now have a say on pausing construction for the Wheels to Wings Harewood Rd cycleway. I have been receiving a lot of feedback from concerned Papanui residents after an article in last week’s Star newspaper on my apparent U-turn on the Papanui cycleway. Rest assured there has been no U-turn by me. A recentarticle and headline in the Star was inaccurate. There was no vote on the cycleway at the meeting held on 22 February. However, last Tuesday I obtained an 11–6 majority vote in Council for an amendment to the annual plan consultation document. The amendment to pause construction on the Harewood Rd cycleway for 12 months will allow us to engage with the local Papanui and Harewood communities to work through some of the issues with the current plan. The 11–6 majority shows that most Councillors think further work is required with the local community on this cycleway. The pause sends a clear message that the Council, and staff, are listening, and we are working hard to get a better result for the Papanui and Harewood communities.Staff told us last week construction funding from Waka Kotahi (51% of the total budget) was not yet secure. I am mindful that there is significant pressure on Government funding given the recent cyclone events in the North Island and it is possible funding may in future be deferred for higher priority projects. There is no guaranteed central government funding for this project. Consultation on the 23/24 draft Annual Plan opens this Friday 10 March. I encourage the public, and specifically the people of Papanui and Harewood, to engage with the Annual Plan consultation process. This is your chance to have your say. If you think we have our priorities right, tell us, if you think we are overspending on certain things, like cycleways – please tell us. Here is a link to the Council Annual Plan submission process: https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/haveyoursay/show/582 Previous Next

< Back We Love Our Trees 8 May 2025 Park upgrades are happening at Murchison Park and Papanui Domain. We are planning additional tree plantings in Murchison Park and Papanui Domain. You can help shape the tree planting plan. There’s lots of information available in the link below about different species and shade modelling. Consultation is open until 26 May. Tell us what you think: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/treeplantingplans?fbclid=IwY2xjawKY36tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrZjVMclNJY3Z1NjduY2V4AR5sAslXJCnz52SM7oDfDdpWknn3N9TdPS2iUY7GgdS6xAfNNj7kA4a3dpRSRg_aem_0JcQd3T5n5qsOvSxS2_owg Previous Next

< Back Come in and see me! 20 May 2025 Drop-in session 2-4pm Thursdays at Papanui or Redwood Library Previous Next

< Back The Wonderful New Court Theatre 3 May 2025 The Court Theatre is a fabulous addition to the City Center. Enjoyed a fabulous evening at the Gala celebration for the opening of the new Court Theatre last night. Congratulations to all who worked so hard to deliver The Court Theatre’s “forever home” in the heart of our city. The first performance of The End of the Golden Weather was outstanding! Previous Next

< Back Submit to Annual Plan NOW 14 Mar 2023 Our Draft Annual Plan is open for feedback. Please tell us if we have it right. Have your say on things that matter to you. Mayor Phil Mauger is encouraging Christchurch residents to have their say on a budget that aims to keep rates increases down while continuing to invest in the city’s future and deliver the basics. Christchurch City Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2023/24 has opened for public feedback. It proposes what the Council will spend on projects and day-to-day services over the next financial year and how it will pay for them – and foremost among the proposals are some changes to how the Council charges its rates. “Keeping the proposed rates increase below inflation, and well below the potential 14.6% increase we were faced with late last year, has taken a lot of clever thinking by councillors and staff, and I’m pleased with what we’re proposing this year,” Mayor Mauger says. The Draft Annual Plan proposes an average overall rates increase of 5.68%, and an average increase for households of 5.79%. “Given the choppy economic waters that Christchurch, New Zealand and the world is going through at the moment, our focus this year has been on keeping costs as low as possible for households,” Mayor Mauger says.“We want to give everyone the opportunity to tell us if we’ve got it right before we make any big decisions. We’ll be out there talking with individuals, businesses and community groups, and councillors will take in every bit of feedback before we commit to anything.” The easiest way to make a submission is via ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay The main areas the Council is seeking feedback on include: A recommended change to the Excess Water Supply Targeted Rate that would see the average daily allowance increase from 700 to 900 litres for residential properties. This accounts for 0.10% of the rates increase but would only take effect from 1 July 2023. With residential property increasing in value in the recent triennial revaluation, the Council is asking whether it should lower the Uniform General Annual Charge (UAGC) from its current rate of $145 to $50, to help reduce the impact of rates increases for some lower income households. At the moment, the general rate is split between a fixed component – the UAGC – with the remainder based on capital value. If the Council lowers the UAGC, this $17 million shortfall would be spread across all ratepayers based on capital value. With the value of business properties not increasing at the same rates as residential properties, the Council is proposing a change to the differential on business properties designed to maintain the contribution that business properties make to general rates. Operational spend (spending on everyday services) of $585.2 million. That is $48.4 million more than what was in the Long Term Plan 2021–31 (LTP), mainly due to increasing costs outside our control like inflation, insurance and electricity price increases. To help compensate for this, the Council is bringing in a range of one-off savings, including leaving some staff vacancies unfilled for 2023/24 and revisiting some of the cost-saving measures first considered when developing the LTP. Capital spend (spending on the construction of facilities and infrastructure) of $615.8 million. This is $136 million less than what was in the LTP. The Council is keeping its programme of capital works focused on what’s actually achievable in the current environment. There’s no need to charge the ratepayer this year for projects that aren’t realistically able to be delivered until future years. Learn more about the Draft Annual Plan 2023/24 . Consultation closes at midnight on Monday 10 April, and councillors will meet to consider the feedback and approve the final budget in June. Previous Next

< Back Globemaster in Christchurch Victoria Henstock 9 Mar 2023 What a privilege to check out the C-17 Globemaster at Christchurch Airport lrecently and learn more about our Antartic Programme. Thanks to the team at ChristchurchNZ for coordinating the visit. Previous Next

< Back New Track For Papanui TocH 4 Mar 2025 What a great asset for Papanui! Congratulations to the Papanui Toc H Athletic Club for opening their new track at Papanui High School. It was a tremendous team effort - raising funds and managing the project. The track was officially opened this week by Canterbury sprinting legend, 88 yr old Buzz Jones . Special thanks to club President Vanessa Buchan and Tim Macioce Previous Next

< Back Saturday stunner! Enjoyed a fabulous day out on Saturday at the Richmond Gala at Richmond Community Garden, Avebury House. 19 Mar 2023 Great to support this superb community event with fellow Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board Members Emma Norrish - Waipapa Papanui Innes Central Community Board, Dr. Sunita Gautam Community Board Member-Central Ward , Emma Twaddell - Papanui/Innes/Central Community Board Member , John Miller, and Councillor Jake McLellan. Wonderful to see the Richmond Community Garden in full festive flair. Special mention to Michael Reynolds and Liesbeth van Bruchem-Hoogland from Toha Kai Otautahi for the fabulous organic produce, Flossie Blundell and her dad Tim for the lovely garden apples, Charles Labye and Leonard Veuzin for the savoury waffles and the outstanding entertainment from the colourful Soul Star Tribe - Tribal Belly Dance Collective and Polonus - Polish Folk Dance Group Christchurch NZ. Previous Next