< 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 My Official Candidate Information..... 31 Aug 2025 Victoria HENSTOCK Your Local Independent Community Voice My principal place of residence is in the Papanui Ward area. As your current independent councillor, I’m not tied to any political party. I’ve worked hard to represent Papanui, putting people before politics, focusing on practical results that are achievable and affordable. I’ve hosted nearly 100 resident drop-in sessions, listening and taking action on local issues. I’ve delivered on my promise to defer the Harewood Rd cycleway, and pushed back on over-engineered intersections and unnecessary speed bumps. I back common-sense decisions that serve our community and challenge unjustified rates increases. My priorities are simple - spend wisely, fix what’s broken, and protect what makes Christchurch a great place to live. A lawyer for 20+ years, with 30+ years governance experience and past executive leadership roles in central/local government and Ngāi Tahu. Christchurch is moving in the right direction with renewed energy and ambition. I’m committed to working hard for a resilient, liveable, and forward-looking city. It’s a privilege to serve you. Previous Next

< Back Here is how the PRESS reviewed my term recently... 31 Aug 2025 Victoria Henstock The first-term independent councillor representing Papanui was voted in on a promise to revisit the Wheels to Wings cycleway on Harewood Rd. She succeeded. The council will instead go ahead with a scaled down, staged approach, and will install traffic lights at the Harewood/Gardiners/Breens Rd intersection, and will link up two other cycleways, the Nor’West Arc and Northern Line. Henstock is blunt in her debates and questioning of staff, and does not shy away from saying what she thinks. She is seeking re-election. Meetings attended: 75/77 Briefings attended: 111/111 Previous Next

< Back Drop In Session This Thursday 10 Jun 2025 Come and see me at the Papanui Library between 1-3pm this Thursday Previous Next

< Back Super Round will be Awesome! 27 Aug 2025 The City is buzzing, and for good reason. Te Kaha—One New Zealand Stadium is about to make its spectacular debut, and what better way to mark the moment than with Super Round in April 2026! Ten Super Rugby Pacific teams will converge on Ōtautahi for three epic days of sport, music, and celebration. I can't wait! Congratulations to everyone for the hard work and vision to pull this weekend together. https://crusaders.co.nz/latest/news/super-round-is-coming-to-christchurch-in-2026/ 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

A Professional and Experienced leader I am active in the local community having chaired the PTA and Board of Trustees at Waimairi School. Currently I am on the Board of St Francis of Assisi School, and Chair of a newly established Charitable Trust providing information and support to pregnant women in need. Previous roles include being a trustee of the YMCA and working extensively with Women’s Refuge, and Community Law Centres. 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 Otautahi, to deliver the City's long-term District Plan, Executive Director of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust working with the Crown and the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch to reinstate the iconic Christ Church Cathedral. Most recently I was General Manager, Strategy and Influence for Ngai Tahu. I am currently a consultant working on executive management and governance issues. “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 Thanks for visiting my website, I am standing as an independent for Council in the Papanui ward this election. Our community needs a strong local voice at the council table, one that isn’t tied to a political party. I am ambitious for a brighter future for Papanui and Christchurch. Since announcing my candidacy, I have had hundreds of conversations with people across our ward. The recent Council satisfaction survey showed that public confidence in this Council has plummeted to its lowest level ever. It’s time to introduce new faces and strong local voices to the Council table. Fresh energy and fresh ideas are needed to drive our City into the future! It is clear that people are frustrated by the performance of our current Council. Public trust and confidence has plummeted to its lowest level ever with many residents, businesses and community groups saying the Council is completely out of touch with their needs. A good example is the Papanui - Harewood cycleway. Many local residents and businesses are opposed to the current design, and believe it has been forced upon them. If elected, I will seek to review this decision and work towards finding a more appropriate option acceptable to the local community. Our Council must listen more and engage with the community better to ensure spending priorities meet community needs. It’s time to focus on getting the basics right first, fix what is broken and fund infrastructure to address the needs of everyone. If we want our communities to thrive in the future we need sensible solutions to today’s challenges, like climate change adaptation, and water management. Planning for the future is important but it must not take priority over the needs of today. The Draft Christchurch Transport Plan proposes to introduce congestion charging and road tolls, block off roads, remove free carparking and impose levies on private car parks. This is another example of the Council being out of touch. I will not support these disruptive anti-car proposals. With a strong history of community service, and a professional background in law, governance and executive leadership working with central and local government and Iwi, I am well placed to help navigate the challenges ahead. I am a strong advocate, not afraid to have tough conversations and will fight for the right of our people to have a say in their own future. I am a pragmatic and strategic thinker. I will bring a mix of vision, practical and inclusive decision-making, professionalism, and experience to the table. It would be a privilege to serve the people of Papanui and the City of Christchurch as your independent local Councillor. Victoria Henstock Proudly Papanui A Strong Local Voice Family focused and community minded Practical not Political

< 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

< Back Couplands Bakery Marathon 21 Sept 2025 A different kind of campaigning ! The legendary Couplands Marathon passed through Papanui — 43km, 9 bakeries, and compulsory munchies at every stop! Only in Christchurch! 🥧🏃♂️🥧🏃♂️🥧🏃♂️ Previous Next

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

Do you support the new Stadium? YES - I support the construction of Te Kaha Stadium! Te Kaha will bring cultural and economic life back to the heart of our city. It will be a major stimulus for the Canterbury economy and the livelihood of our citizens for many decades to come. Our central city is crying out for an asset like this, bringing fantastic sporting and cultural events: concerts, test matches, and most importantly people interacting with small businesses in the surrounding area. How should we fund the increased cost? Reprioritise the capital expenditure programme and conduct a review of council owned assets to explore options to maximise returns and sell property surplus to requirements. Explore funding contribution from neighbouring Councils. Do you support the Papanui Harewood Cycleway? NO - Not in its current form. This is the number one issue Papanui residents approach me about. Local residents have made it overwhelmingly clear that they do not want this proposal to proceed. This project should never have been allowed to get this far. It is yet another example of a council that simply isn’t listening to residents. Investment in active transport modes is important, however it should be appropriate and affordable and not at the expense of other essential works. Well placed, simple, and safely designed cycle lanes are great for our city, but I am not convinced this cycleway is any of those. If elected, I will seek to review this decision and work towards finding a more appropriate option acceptable to the community. Do you support the Draft Christchurch Transport Plan? NO - Not in its current form. The Draft Christchurch Transport Plan proposes to introduce congestion charging and road tolls, block off roads, remove free car-parking and impose levies on private car parks. This is another example of the Council being out of touch with residents. I will not support these disruptive anti-car proposals. They will disadvantage families, elderly, mobility impaired citizens, people who have no alternative but to travel by car and hit them in the pocket where they can least afford it. We need to create efficient, reliable and accessible public transport systems throughout Christchurch. This includes continuing the work on planning and preparing for a future Mass Rapid Transit system for Greater Christchurch. Do you support Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives? YES - As long as they are practical, sensible and appropriate for Christchurch, not just a cut-and-paste of what works for large cities in Europe or Asia. We must develop climate adaptation initiatives that suit our City . We must ensure that initiatives are inclusive and co-designed with local communities, not forced upon them without effective engagement. Extravagent cycleways for example. Do you support 3 Waters Reform NO - This reform takes away the water assets from local Councils and puts them into four mega-entities controlled by a complex and unaccountable Wellington bureaucracy. This reform is being driven by a central Government determined to impose its centralisation ideology against the wishes of local communities. Do you support the new housing intensification rules Urban intensification is essential for all cities across New Zealand to address housing affordability and protect the environment. However , the Government’s one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate. The Government has no place imposing such blanket urban planning rules on city Councils. We should be making these decisions ourselves. Our particular need in Christchurch is to increase density in our city centre and other key areas that have good public transport options and walkable amenities.

A Professional and Experienced leader I am active in the local community having chaired the PTA and Board of Trustees at Waimairi School. Currently I am on the Board of St Francis of Assisi School, and Chair of a newly established Charitable Trust providing information and support to pregnant women in need. Previous roles include being a trustee of the YMCA and working extensively with Women’s Refuge, and Community Law Centres. 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 Otautahi, to deliver the City's long-term District Plan, Executive Director of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust working with the Crown and the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch to reinstate the iconic Christ Church Cathedral. Most recently I was General Manager, Strategy and Influence for Ngai Tahu. I am currently a consultant working on executive management and governance issues. Nothing will change if nothing changes! Our community needs a strong local voice at the council table, one that isn’t tied to a political party. I have been a resident for the last 20 years, and love living in Papanui. As Councillor for Papanui I would bring a mix of vision, practical decision-making, professionalism, and experience to the table. The recent Council satisfaction survey showed that public confidence in this Council has plummeted to its lowest level ever. It’s time to introduce new faces and strong local voices to the Council table. Fresh energy and fresh ideas are needed to drive our City into the future! Papanui residents are telling me they want Council to listen, and stop excessive spending on non-priority projects. They are concerned about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety. They also want the focus to be on getting the basics right like fixing roads and footpaths, maintaining and improving our parks and playgrounds. With the likelihood of increased density of housing in the area, these are real issues for Papanui residents, and the City. Let’s focus on building community infrastructure that benefits everyone, not a select few. We need to make sure our community assets are maintained properly and are fit for purpose, both for now, and for future generations. This means fixing what we have, and being aspirational about what we want the Papanui Ward, and the City, to look like in the next decade, and beyond. I would love to see improvements to our public spaces, making them greener and more attractive for people to enjoy. I am frustrated at some of the spending priorities and decisions being made by our current Council. The current rate-and-spend mentality is not sustainable. I believe we should spend smarter and refocus our priorities. I want the people of Christchurch to have confidence in their elected officials to spend their money wisely, and focus on getting the basics right. I am uneasy about the Government’s 3-Waters Scheme, the looming Resource Management Act reforms and Future for Local Government Review. These will have significant implications for our City, and the future of local democracy. I agree that we need to look closely at these matters, but I don’t agree that Wellington bureaucrats are the best people to make decisions about our local neighbourhoods. These things really matter to our community and we need to ensure we have the right people at the council table to work our way through these tough issues, and fight for our right to make our own choices at a community level. With a legal background and experience working with central and local government and Iwi, I am well placed to help navigate these reforms and fight for the right of Christchurch residents to have a say in their own future. A Strong Local Voice Family focused and community minded Practical not Political "Christchurch needs to be more aspirational because it seems our ambition as a City has stagnated lately. We need to be clever and excited about our future and create the right environment to attract businesses and talent to aim higher and get our city moving forward. That’s a future Christchurch I would love to be part of creating.” "I am a pragmatic and strategic thinker, a very good listener, and like to focus my attention on delivering the best possible outcomes for people in any given situation. Not afraid to have tough conversations when needed. I hold myself accountable, and others accountable for their work. I would be proud to serve the people of Papanui and the City of Christchurch."