< Back The local government issue vexing Christchurch: speed bumps Tina Law, The Press 21 Sept 2025 The proliferation of speed humps in Christchurch has become a hot election issue. Many candidates blame them for disrupting traffic, while others say it is a populist issue designed to distract voters from the real issues. Tina Law reports. Drivers hate them, they slow down emergency services, and cause congestion. That is what opponents of speed humps say. Others say they are proven to be effective in slowing speeds and reducing crashes and schools and residents are crying out for speed humps to make roads safer. The issue has gained traction with Christchurch residents this local body election with many candidates professing their dislike for them and promising to push for fewer humps. Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger, who is seeking a second term, said this week that if re-elected he would remove community boards’ authority to approve speed humps. In a recent survey by The Press, Mauger listed speed humps as the one thing the council should stop funding. “It will be no surprise that I’m not a fan of the excessive rollout of speed bumps across the city. They are not the best use of money at the moment.” Simon Kingham, a professor of geography at University of Canterbury and former chief science advisor to the transport ministry, said taking these decisions away from community boards was “bizarre”. It was local residents who wanted them because they wanted their kids to get to school safely, he said. Kingham said candidates promoting the evils of speed bumps were taking a populist approach and their opposition was not based on evidence or science. “It’s a vote winner.” Many people hated the humps because they curtailed drivers’ ability to drive around the city any way they wanted. In Christchurch, more than 40 locations have had some form of speed hump installed in the past five years. They include speed humps at nine roundabouts, raised platforms at eight intersections and bumps at either zebra crossings or signalised crossings. City councillor Victoria Henstock, who is seeking a second term, successfully managed to get support from colleagues to have one hump deleted from planned works earlier this month. She said she has pushed back on speed humps and raised traffic platforms that were unnecessary and disrupt the efficiency of the transport network. “There are too many and often they are unnecessary.” Henstock said she was happy to take Kingham out doorknocking with her so he could hear first-hand from residents. “There is a place for speed bumps and raised platforms where there is a justifiable speed concern, but in many cases people feel that speed bumps have just been forced on them for no real reason.” Ali Jones, a community board member who is standing for a council seat, agrees with Henstock. Jones is calling for the council to “stop whacking in dozens of speed bumps, as a one-size-fits-all safety approach”. She said whenever she questioned the need for speed humps or asked about the evidence, she was accused of not caring about safety and of not wanting children and communities to be safe. “Reality is more nuanced – I value safety and want smarter, well-informed solutions for everyone.” She acknowledged that communities wanted traffic to slow down and so did she, but she believed the police needed to do more. “They need to enforce more, be more visible, use red light and speed cameras. Without enforcement and visibility of police, [council] is really up against it.” Jones said there was certainly evidence of emergency vehicles being slowed by bumps. The Sunday Star-Times asked police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) and Hato Hone St John for their position on speed humps. Do they hinder their job and delay their vehicles getting to emergencies? Acting director of road policing Inspector Peter McKennie said police did not have any data to suggest that speed humps cost lives in an emergency. He said police supported roading infrastructure that reduced harm and encouraged safe driving behaviours. A Fenz spokesperson said the organisation supported the overall goal of safer roading networks. Traffic calming, including speed humps, worked toward that goal. They said increased response times were an occasional trade-off. St John Christchurch metro operations manager Sam Kellick said raised platforms did require ambulances to reduce speed and they might interrupt the flow of traffic or make for a less smooth driving experience for patients. But the organisation had not seen any evidence that speed humps negatively impact ambulance response times or patient outcomes. Christchurch City councillor and mayoral candidate Sara Templeton believed the speed hump issue was a deliberate move by some to divert away from the big issues facing the city, like water, housing and climate change. She said traffic congestion had slowly got worse and was now at a point where people recognised it as an issue. People were looking for something new or different that might have caused it and have settled on speed humps and cycleways. But, car ownership in Christchurch has increased by 65% since 2001, meaning there were simply more cars on the roads, she said. “Most of the congested roads in the city do not have speed humps or cycleways. Like Brougham St, Papanui Rd, Memorial Ave, Fendalton Rd.” She said local communities consistently asked for ways to slow down traffic on the streets. “Everyone wants a slow, quiet street to live in, but they also want a quicker commute. We need to remember we are guests in other people’s streets as we drive through.” Christchurch City Council has also defended its use of speed humps, saying they are the preferred way to slow traffic. Acting transport head Stephen Wright said humps and platforms physically forced lower speeds, unlike signs or markings that relied on driver choice. They were also proven to be effective, he said. Research showed they lowered vehicle approach speeds by around 10 to 20kph and significantly reduce crash risk and severity, especially for people walking and cycling. They were also cheaper than traffic signals or other redesigns - about $20,000 to $80,000 per site, depending on scale. They could be installed overnight. The council had statistics showing a reduction in crashes at Christchurch intersections where raised platforms had been put in place. “Schools and residents have requested traffic calming to reduce through traffic from speeding or undertaking anti-social road user behaviour on local streets.” 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 Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival in Christchurch 30 May 2025 This afternoon at Tūranga Library, I had the great honour of joining our community to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival — a vibrant and deeply meaningful occasion in the Chinese cultural calendar. It was a privilege to speak alongside dignitaries including Madam He Ying and MP Reuben Davidson, and to acknowledge all those who worked so hard to bring this celebration to life. Your efforts are deeply appreciated, and the joy in the room was a testament to your mahi. What struck me most was how traditions like these don’t just survive — they thrive when they are shared. I loved learning about the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival, and especially the story behind the delicious sticky rice dumplings ( zongzi ) we enjoyed together. The Dragon Boat Festival is rich with cultural meaning, commemorating themes of loyalty, remembrance, and unity. These values were reflected throughout the day’s proceedings and were noted as being especially relevant in a multicultural city like Christchurch, where diverse communities continue to shape the city’s identity. The event served as a reminder of the importance of cultural exchange and the role of shared traditions in building mutual understanding. Organisers were acknowledged for their efforts in delivering a well-attended and inclusive celebration that highlighted the strength and contribution of Christchurch’s Chinese community. Previous Next

< Back Wheels to Wings Cycleway deferred 27 Jun 2025 You asked — We delivered! I’m thrilled to report that this week Council finally approved a more sensible, and affordable solution for the Wheels to Wings cycleway — one that reflects the priorities of our local community. I fought hard, alongside Aaron Keown Councillor for Harewood to review the design, focusing on what really matters to local residents. We now have a solution backed by the community, and built on common sense. Together, we’ve landed a better solution. Key changes include: - Traffic lights at the Harewood/Gardiners/Breens Road intersection - A signalised pedestrian crossing and widened footpath outside Harewood School - A new pedestrian crossing on Harewood Road (between Matsons Ave and Chapel St) - A completed cycle connection at the eastern end of Harewood Road, linking the Northern Line and Nor’West Arc cycleways - Deferring the remainder of the cycleway project This is a win for common sense — and I’m grateful to my colleagues for backing a great result for our community. Previous Next

< 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 Tree Planting at Papanui Domain 26 May 2025 Christchurch City Council is proposing to plant more trees in Papanui Domain (Consultation has now closed). What’s Planned? We are planning on planting 62 new trees. Because the park is used frequently for local sports teams the planting will be around the playground and the edge of the domain so as not to interfere with the playing space. 43 trees will be small (5-10m),12 will be medium (11-15m), 5 will be large (16-20m) and only 2 will be very large (20m+). Why? · Support the Urban Forest Plan · Improve biodiversity and birdlife · Reduce long-term maintenance costs Key Features: · Retained open grass area for recreation · Safe design with clear sightlines · CCC will aim for 40 - 60% of new trees to be natives. Important Points to note: · Trees species will be well suited to the local conditions. · Tree species will be positioned appropriately to allow for debris management. · Tree spacings will be a minimum of 5.0 m apart to allow for easy lawn mowing. · No tree shall be planted closer than 3.0m from a pathway. · No tree shall be planted closer than 5.0m from a sports field and no tree canopy drip line shall extend above a sports field. · All trees are planted at their early stages in the winter months. We expect trees to take approximately 30 years to reach maturity. Previous Next

< Back Project Update 26 May 2025 Wairakei/Aorangi Road, wastewater upgrades, street renewal and cycleway construction. Revised Timeline The return to two-way traffic on Wairakei Road, originally expected mid-June, is now scheduled for late July. This delay is due to persistent wet weather, difficult ground conditions and elevated groundwater levels. This has required more cautious excavation and trench backfilling. Current Traffic Management • Wairakei Road: The citybound lane remains open. The airport-bound lane between Pitcairn Crescent and Jennifer Street remains closed until end of July. • Bus Route #8 (Port-to-Port): The airport-bound service continues to detour via Blighs Road, Condell Avenue, and Greers Road. • Aorangi Road (north): One-way system remains in place — entry via Condell Avenue only, with a left-turn exit onto Wairakei Road. This setup will remain in place until the end of August. Work Hours Construction work is occurring Monday to Saturday, 7am to 6pm. Lane and road closures will remain in place outside of these hours. Some night work may be required during Phase 3; residents will be notified in advance. 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

< 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 I’m standing again! 29 Jun 2025 I’m proud to announce I’m standing for re-election as your Independent Councillor for Papanui. I’m running again because I’m genuinely excited about our city's future. Christchurch is growing in confidence, energy, and ambition. This is a city on the rise, vibrant, welcoming, and fast becoming a place where people want to live, invest, and belong. It’s been a privilege to represent the people of Papanui — standing up for common sense, responsible spending, and practical results. I’ve worked hard to ensure your local voice is heard at the Council table — putting people before party politics and focusing on practical results that are achievable and affordable. I’m proud of what we’ve delivered. Throughout my term I’ve run weekly drop-in sessions at Papanui and Redwood libraries, listening to residents, answering hundreds of individual queries, and actively advocated on local issues. There’s more to do, and I’m ready to keep delivering for Papanui and Christchurch. With a background in law, governance, and executive leadership, I’ll keep pushing for a strong, resilient, well-run city. Let’s build a city that works — for everyone. Your City. Your Rates. Your Voice. Previous Next

< Back Sail GP - Stunning Event for Christchurch 19 Mar 2023 A fabulous coupl of days at Sail GP New Zealand in Lyttleton Harbour. Congratulations to Ali Adams and her team at ChristchurchNZ for putting together this outstanding international event! Photo Credit to my good friend Steve Addison - amazing shots of the races. 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