Candidates for Mayor of Christchurch

• Blair ANDERSON (healTHChch mildgreens.com)
• Kyle CHAPMAN (National Front)
• Jamie GOUGH (Our Christchurch - Our Pride)
• Michael HANSEN (Economic Euthenic)
• Aaron KEOWN (Independent)
• Sam KINGI (Anti-Capitalist Alliance)
• Garry MOORE (Christchurch 2021 - the Positive Choice)
• Bob NIMMO
• Paul TELFER (U-ACT)
• Annalucia VERMUNT (Communist League)

Blair ANDERSON (healTHChch mildgreens.com)

Smart City, Healthy People.

There is duty of care supporting equitable advocacy and concern for minority stakeholders in our social order. Evidence is core in the contest of ideas.

The governance and politics of the vices that underpin civil society. Prostitution, Gambling, Alcohol and Smoke Free are obvious ones but so to is illicit drug policy.

Walter Cronkite, arguably the most trusted man in America said of prohibition of drugs, that here is the easiest thing we can fix to make our communities healthier and safer. We need ambitious leadership on this intractable problem at the head of the table.

Governance by consensus means STV for all local body representation. Mayor Blair is a commitment to biofuel based energy and a beyond Kyoto approach to climate change obligations. A sustainable vision tied to public health and air quality.

Kyle CHAPMAN (National Front)

I've lived in working class suburbs during my life. I've been around people who struggle for daily needs and I've seen our elderly trying to survive in this modern age of neglect for the sake of money and materialism.

I've had to change things about myself to be more proactive and be someone who stands for honour and integrity. I'm not perfect. But I'll stand up for the people. I know how things were in NZ and want that again.

I believe in community and helping each other. I want to show the youth that there is something better to strive for in life. That family, friends, morals and values are important in life. I'm a patriot and stand by the NZ Flag. I'll not let PC notions slow our progress.

See for yourself who I am and what I want for the people who live in Christchurch.

Jamie GOUGH (Our Christchurch - Our Pride)

James Tracy Gough (Jamie) of Christchurch's Gough family and Gough, Gough and Hamer, one of New Zealand's largest, most successful and well respected privately owned companies. Born and bred in Christchurch, 5th generation Cantabrian. Educated at Medbury School and Christ's College. Currently completing his Private Pilot's Licence at the Canterbury Aero Club and presently working in advertising, column and feature writing for Christchurch's 'Avenues' magazine.

Beliefs:

• A peoples choice process, where before any major decision is made, Christchurch citizens vote
• Lower rates will allow more disposable income for Christchurch citizens
• Revitalisation of our CBD is essential
• More technological and leisure ventures needed to lower the currently high youth crime rate by filling the current void of a lack of facilities for our youth of Christchurch whilst creating employment
• 52 annual rubbish bags be reinstated with a cash incentive for rubbish bags left unused

Michael HANSEN (Economic Euthenic)

Because rates have been held down so long and we now have insufficient finance to run the Council, unfortunately rates must rise $20 a quarter, plus $15 for the compensation for the mayoral candidates for standing, plus a refundable surcharge of $5 on the TUC, and a refundable $5 non-involvement surcharge on Cheviot Street residents, if efforts are made to encourage a clean election. The use of a stingray, and a tingleray at election meetings and a very hot ray which can pass through walls is not acceptable, candidates should have the use of a Council car.

Aaron KEOWN (Independent)

First and foremost I am serious about being the Mayor of Christchurch. I believe Christchurch is an amazing city and I want to make it the most successful city in the Southern Hemesphere. By giving the city a direction we can all work toward, we will become the jewel of the South Pacific and the envy of the world. We can do this without increasing rates. I stand by a ZERO percent rates rise over the next three years. We have a huge amount of assets and collect millions in rates. Through decent management and direction there is no need to increase rates. I am willing to be a 'frontman' for our city, selling it to the world, but more importantly sell what the council has to do to its local people, people like you! My policies are many and varied so please have a good look at www.aaronformayor.co.nz. Thanks.

Sam KINGI (Anti-Capitalist Alliance)

The ruling rich of the world are currently waging two wars. One is against the masses of the Third World, for instance through the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. The other is against workers at home, through holding down our wages and attacking our overall living standards and rights.

Workers need to unite across boundaries of nation, race, gender and sexuality and fight for our rights as workers here and around the world. In NZ, we should support our fellow workers overseas fighting Western occupation and plunder of their countries and we should fight lay-offs and unemployment, low pay and all forms of inequality here in this country.

In Christchurch the average annual income is $17,600. This is a working class city, yet politics are dominated by the middle and upper classes. It's time to create our own political movement as workers. By doing so, we can change the world.

Garry MOORE (Christchurch 2021 - the Positive Choice)

Imagine the foresight of our forebears when they created Hagley Park. Their planning ensured Christchurch's quality of life. As they faced challenges then so do we now. Our challenge is to nurture our environment, community and economy. That means clean air, safe streets, well-loved children, and a higher wage economy.

The Council doesn't need to do all those things, but we have to make sure they happen. In the 1990's when the pressure was on us to sell our port, airport, bus and power companies, we didn't. We now own assets worth $1 billion with dividends that cut your rate bills. With our wealth and rich community life we have a standard of living admired by all New Zealand.

As your Mayor I'd consider it an honour to continue to lead Christchurch. We will honour the expectations of our forebears and create exciting opportunities for our descendants.

Bob NIMMO

Educated at Cashmere High School, Bob Nimmo graduated from Canterbury University and Christchurch Teachers’ College. Throughout the 70s and 80s he wrote and directed four children’s musicals, placing over 1,000 children on city stages. He subsequently taught at Mairehau High and Greymouth High before spending several years writing English programmes in Singapore. Upon his return to Christchurch, Bob taught English to Korean and Chinese students and has preached in several local churches. Last year his novel Caught in a Singapore Sling was published and at present he is working on a new children’s musical.

Bob understands the aspirations of the local arts and business communities. He believes it is time the mayor was accessible, visible and accountable and able to work through our multicultural community to establish Christchurch as the most successful artistic and business centre of New Zealand.

Why always Auckland? It’s time to let Christchurch talent really shine!

Paul TELFER (U-ACT)

Dear voter

In these miserable times of shrinking incomes, escalating prices, deprecating purchasing power of one’s hard-earned savings; thus detrimentally affecting mostly the people on low incomes, vulnerable pensioners and the unemployed. The homemaker is fully aware that her household income only buys half of the groceries as to what it did three years ago. Yet the council wants more. I am against the more you give the Council, the more money and pay they want. I am opposed to the council surreptitiously charging the ratepayers an extra $1000 a year rate bill add-on, mostly in water charging, undoubtedly to finance the proposed “Banks Peninsular Amalgamation”. I can truthfully say that I have saved more money for the New Zealand taxpayer, the Christchurch ratepayer, then ALL the parliamentary people and councilors put together, that’s easy. www.paultelfer.com.

I ask you to vote Paul Telfer.

Annalucia VERMUNT (Communist League)

I am an active trade unionist, meat worker, and candidate for the Communist League.

I support workers' rights to organise unions.

I oppose US and NZ military interventions against the peoples of Afghanistan and Iraq. Hands off Cuba, Venezuela, Sudan.

I oppose Washington's and Wellington's drive to prevent countries like Iran and north Korea developing needed energy sources.

I back efforts to unite working people to fight for: Jobs for all - For a massive public works programme; Support Maori rights to foreshore and seabed; Stop immigration deportations; Fight police brutality; Defend a woman's right to choose abortion; Debt relief for working farmers.

I oppose Labour and National moves to unload the economic crisis of capitalism onto working people. I'm for a workers and farmers government that will abolish capitalism in NZ and join in the worldwide struggle for socialism. Phone 365-6055, www.themilitant.com.