News 10 Oct 2025 Thank You, Papanui! I’m honoured to have been re-elected as Councillor for Papanui. Read More 22 Sept 2025 EXCLUSIVE: Christchurch councillor lifts lid on controversial council voting record Christchurch City Councillor Aaron Keown has launched a new website designed to give residents a clear picture of how councillors have voted on key issues. Read More 21 Sept 2025 Couplands Bakery Marathon A different kind of campaigning ! The legendary Couplands Marathon passed through Papanui — 43km, 9 bakeries, and compulsory munchies at every stop! Only in Christchurch! 🥧🏃♂️🥧🏃♂️🥧🏃♂️ Read More 21 Sept 2025 The local government issue vexing Christchurch: speed bumps 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. Read More 18 Sept 2025 'A win for now': Council acts on Grassmere development complaints New restrictions and safety measures have been urgently implemented at the access site of Grassmere Estates, a fledgling housing development attracting complaints from neighbours. Read More 31 Aug 2025 Here is how the PRESS reviewed my term recently... 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 Read More 31 Aug 2025 My Official Candidate Information..... Victoria HENSTOCK Your Local Independent Community Voice My principal place of residence is in the Papanui Ward area. Read More 27 Aug 2025 Super Round will be Awesome! 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/ Read More 23 Aug 2025 Wheelie Awesome event I was delighted to attend the Wheelie Awesome event at Braintree Wellness Centre on Friday in support of the The Adult Conductive Education Trust. It was inspiring to see whānau, supporters, and the wider community come together during National Conductive Education Awareness Month, raising funds and awareness for such an important cause. A big thank you to everyone involved for the fun, energy, and heart you brought to the day! If you would like to make a donation, please follow this link - https://wheelie-awesome-wheel-a-thon-2025.raiselysite.com Read More 29 Jun 2025 I’m standing again! I’m proud to announce I’m standing for re-election as your Independent Councillor for Papanui. Read More 27 Jun 2025 Wheels to Wings Cycleway deferred 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. Read More 15 Jun 2025 Another Great Day Planting at Papanui Bush. Perfect conditions for planting on 17 June at Papanui Bush, with community legend Denis McMurtrie and the dedicated team from the Rotary Club of Papanui and the Christchurch City Council community parks staff. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who turned out in force — your support and energy are what make projects like this possible. A great day for community, conservation, and connection. Read More 10 Jun 2025 Drop In Session This Thursday Come and see me at the Papanui Library between 1-3pm this Thursday Read More 3 Jun 2025 Papanui Bush Planting Day 7 June Join me at the Papanui Bush Community Planting Day Saturday 7 June 2025 9am – 12.30pm Read More 30 May 2025 Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival in Christchurch 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. Read More 26 May 2025 Murchison Park Native Urban Forest Plan Christchurch City Council is proposing to restore parts of Murchison Park as native forest. (Consultation has now closed) Read More 26 May 2025 Project Update Wairakei/Aorangi Road, wastewater upgrades, street renewal and cycleway construction. Read More 26 May 2025 Tree Planting at Papanui Domain Christchurch City Council is proposing to plant more trees in Papanui Domain (Consultation has now closed). Read More 20 May 2025 Come in and see me! Drop-in session 2-4pm Thursdays at Papanui or Redwood Library Read More 8 May 2025 We Love Our Trees 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 Read More

< Back Thank You, Papanui! 10 Oct 2025 I’m honoured to have been re-elected as Councillor for Papanui. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, share your thoughts, and support my re-election campaign. It’s been a privilege to represent our community over the past three years, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. There’s more to do, and I’m committed to continuing that work, standing for common sense, practical solutions, and a city that works for everyone. I’d also like to acknowledge Ashleigh Feary - Candidate for Papanui Community Board my new community board colleague. Ashleigh ran a very smart campaign and was the highest-polling Community Board candidate in Papanui, a remarkable result for her first time standing. She is proving to be a natural politician and will be a passionate and effective advocate for the people of Papanui. With her no-nonsense approach, business sense and genuine people skills, Ashleigh is definitely one to watch for the future. Christchurch is entering an exciting new chapter. With the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre and Te Kaha Stadium nearing completion, our city is poised for another step forward, boosting our economy, creating opportunities, and enhancing how we live, play, and connect. Ours is a city of energy, creativity, and heart, and with the right focus, we can make it even stronger, more connected, and more sustainable for generations to come. Your trust and support inspire me every day, thank you, Papanui! Previous Next

Practical and Independent Learn More

Representing over 25,000 residents in the Papanui Ward is a privilege I take seriously. Much of the work I do happens behind the scenes — but I’d like to share some of the practical ways I’ve advocated for our community this term. Advocacy in Action Responding to local needs Delivered on my commitment to defer the Wheels-to-Wings Cycleway. Advocated for a more community aligned solution prioritising intersection safety and pedestrian crossing points on Harewood Rd. Successfully advocated for reduced rates through a full review of Council’s capital programme, improving deliverability and lowering the rates rise. Intervened when residents raised concerns about a proposed cellphone tower — helping to halt the project and advocate for an alternative site. Supported residents experiencing home vibration issues due to heavy traffic on Condell Ave by advocating for electronic speed signage and delivering public information. Advocated for Grassmere St residents to improve traffic management during pre-construction groundworks. Continuing advocacy for a long term solution with access off Cranford St. Advocated for local residents to change the No8 bus detour route during Aorangi/Wairakei road works to avoid narrow streets and loss of resident parking. Advocated for changes to traffic management plans for local residents during construction works. Initiated monthly resident information sessions during Aorangi/Wairakei Rd works — and attended nearly every one since February. Initiated changes to street signage and parking changes restrictions across the ward following resident concerns. Initiated repairs to road and footpath surfaces. Initiated ongoing maintenance in local parks and playgrounds. Advocated for higher prioritisation of pathway upgrades in local parks. Communication & Community Engagement Personally produced and delivered around 10 different resident flyers during my term, covering topics such as the Annual Plan, Long Term Plan, local infrastructure works, cycleways, park upgrades, tree planting plans, and more — all at my own expense. Regularly door-knocked and spoken with residents across the ward on everyday issues. Held over 100 weekly drop-in sessions at Papanui and Redwood Libraries to meet with residents and solve local issues. Attended a wide range of community events, public meetings, and weekend sessions. Attended 111 of 111 Council briefings and workshops, and 75 of 77 full Council meetings, missing only two due to other official duties and a family funeral. Maintained a strong voting record focused on common-sense, affordable outcomes. Opposed over-engineered road designs and unnecessary raised platforms that diverted funds from higher priorities. Championed a non-partisan, collaborative approach — working constructively with colleagues of all political stripes. Strong and consistent voting record Learn More

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 Christchurch and Papanui. I'm 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

Spend Smarter Review priorities and stop wasteful spending (e.g. grandiose cycleways, speed bumps & unnecessary raised platforms) Be clever with our assets and explore options to leverage growth for future generations Reduce debt Get the Basics Right Deliver core Council services more effectively Improve accessibility for all by fixing our roads and footpaths Maintain and improve our parks and playgrounds Make traffic flow more effectively Protect our Environment Invest wisely in affordable and achievable climate action appropriate for Christchurch Increase our city-wide tree canopy cover Increase investment in our parks and create more urban green space Invest in safe and simple cycleways Improve public transport services Continue to develop long term options for mass rapid transit Better Community Engagement Review how we engage with the wider community to achieve more inclusive outcomes Listen to the community Learn More

< Back EXCLUSIVE: Christchurch councillor lifts lid on controversial council voting record Chris Lynch 22 Sept 2025 Christchurch City Councillor Aaron Keown has launched a new website designed to give residents a clear picture of how councillors have voted on key issues. “People often ask who made those decisions and why. When I post voting records on my Facebook page, they get a lot of attention. This website makes that information accessible for everyone,” Keown told chrislynchmedia.com . Keown said the tool was about transparency and giving voters the power to hold elected members accountable. This week’s debate on a proposed speed hump on Harewood Road was one example, he said. “A number of councillors talked like they were going to support it, but in the end only Sara Templeton was left hung out to dry, the only one voting for it. I think the upcoming election made a few change their minds.” Asked if the site could influence voting behaviour around the council table, Keown said that was possible. “Now that people know I’ll share controversial votes publicly, councillors might think twice about ignoring the majority view.” Keown rejected criticism that the site oversimplified complex issues. “That’s exactly how the public think about it. Council spends millions every year on communications, but people still don’t know what’s going on. This puts the decisions in plain language: on this road, these councillors voted for a speed bump. People can make their own judgement.” The councillor said he hoped voters would use the site in the lead-up to the election. “You can pick the issue that matters most to you, click on it, and see how your councillor voted. If their record doesn’t align with your views, then you’ve got a choice at election time.” Keown said he would like to see similar initiatives rolled out across the country. “This kind of transparency should be standard. The more people understand how decisions are made, the more likely they are to engage with local democracy.” The website is live now at howtheyvoted.nz . Previous Next

Let's Chat EMAIL SUBJECT YOUR MESSAGE SEND Thanks for submitting! EMAIL SOCIAL MEDIA victoria.henstock@ccc.govt.nz PHONE 027 224 2075

< Back Murchison Park Native Urban Forest Plan 26 May 2025 Christchurch City Council is proposing to restore parts of Murchison Park as native forest. (Consultation has now closed) What’s Planned? Large areas of mown grass will be replaced with native trees, creating a 2.25-hectare forest. Why? · Support the Urban Forest Plan · Improve biodiversity and birdlife · Create a peaceful, natural space for the community · Reduce long-term maintenance costs Key Features: · New and existing walking trails, including loops · Retained open grass area for recreation · Outdoor learning space · Safe design with clear sightlines and multiple path options Important Points to note: · Tree planting to Special Character Parks will continue the established theme. · Trees will be positioned appropriately to allow for debris management. · Tree species shall be well suited to the local conditions. · 100% of new tree plantings will be natives. · No tree shall intrude through the recession plane at maturity. · 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, varying from heights of 15cm to 150cm. We expect trees to take approximately 30 years to reach maturity. Previous Next

< Back Wheelie Awesome event 23 Aug 2025 I was delighted to attend the Wheelie Awesome event at Braintree Wellness Centre on Friday in support of the The Adult Conductive Education Trust. It was inspiring to see whānau, supporters, and the wider community come together during National Conductive Education Awareness Month, raising funds and awareness for such an important cause. A big thank you to everyone involved for the fun, energy, and heart you brought to the day! If you would like to make a donation, please follow this link - https://wheelie-awesome-wheel-a-thon-2025.raiselysite.com Previous Next

< Back 'A win for now': Council acts on Grassmere development complaints Sinead Gill, The Press 18 Sept 2025 New restrictions and safety measures have been urgently implemented at the access site of Grassmere Estates, a fledgling housing development attracting complaints from neighbours. It was “a small win for now”, Papanui councillor Victoria Henstock said, but she still backs the community’s call for the council to get trucks off Grassmere St and create alternative access. The changes were made days after Jason Hitchens - backed by a petition with more than 200 signatories - told the Christchurch City Council his community were concerned it would be only a matter of time before the stream of heavy trucks were involved in an accident. He and other locals had filmed the trucks struggling to navigate the narrow street and said they were not stopping for users of the popular cycle way. The council quickly amended the traffic management plan, with a spokesperson saying a marshal would now manage the cycle path while the site was being accessed. Access was restricted between 8am-9am and 2.15pm-3.15pm to coincide with school hours. A visit from The Press before 3pm found no activity near the site - as per the rules - and a cyclist confirmed there was usually a person helping them pass. The council spokesperson confirmed there was a complaint about trucking movements on Friday and Monday in breach of the plan, but the contractor - who said they had not fully understood the conditions - said it would not happen again. There would be random monitoring to ensure conditions were met, the spokesperson said. Henstock said complaints had eased in the past couple of days. “It’s a small win for now, but I’m not taking the heat off yet,” she said. “The locals are very engaged. They’re pleased with the measures that have been taken, but they still want trucks off Grassmere St.” She said the council was working hard on plans to create an alternative route for contractors, which a council spokesperson said may be from Cranford St. The council would update the public when there was more certainty around the timing - it may require agreements with neighbours and consent, the spokesperson said. Sinéad Gill is a senior reporter with a focus on local government. As part of the developer’s resource consent, trucks have been transporting material to the site as part of a trial to see how the flood and liquefaction-prone land on Grassmere St - on the fringe of the Cranford St basin - handled it. The land was unlocked for residential housing in 2017, but the development has faced lengthy delays due to concerns about the land and the need for infrastructure upgrades, like additional stormwater capacity. According to their application to the Government’s fast track list, Grassmere Estates planned to build over 500 homes across multiple stages. Landowners included Richard Peebles and Ryan Geddes, but the company behind the development, Grassmere Estates Ltd, was led by Simon Abbot. Abbot declined to comment to The Press on this matter. Previous Next

< 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