39 runners for ECan positions
It will be the first fully democratic Environment Canterbury (ECan) election for 12 years but only one councillor sacked by the National government in 2010 is keen to stand again.
Nominations for candidates for the seven regional constituencies closed yesterday at midday, with 39 received for the 14 positions at the council table.
Six of the 12 current councillors are standing again, but Rik Tindall is the only member of the regional council dismissed more than nine years ago willing to have another go.
Former ECan chairman Sir Kerry Burke had been mulling a return but in a statement yesterday said he had ‘‘decided not to re-enter public life’’.
The ECan council was terminated in March 2010 ostensibly for its lack of progress on water issues, highlighted in a contentious report by ex-National cabinet minister Wyatt Creech.
Then-Environment Minister Nick Smith gave councillors their marching orders and long-time troubleshooter Dame Margaret Bazley was introduced as chairwoman of commissioners, followed a few weeks later by six male commissioners described by outgoing deputy chairwoman Jo Kane at the time as ‘‘Dad’s Army’’.
The sacking of the council was followed by a near-riot in central Christchurch and protests attended by thousands.
Incumbent councillors standing again in the October 12 election are Claire McKay (North Canterbury/ Opukepuke constituency), Iaean Cranwell (Christchurch Northeast/ Orei constituency), Rod Cullinane (Christchurch West/Opuna constituency), Lan Pham (Christchurch Central/Ohoko constituency), John Sunckell (Mid-Canterbury/Opakihi constituency), and Peter Scott (South Canterbury/Otuhituhi constituency).
Current chairman Steve Lowndes and councillors David Caygill, Elizabeth Cunningham, Tom Lambie, Cynthia Roberts and Peter Skelton are standing down.
Burke said his 27 years in central and local government had been a ‘‘great privilege’’.
His time as Speaker of the House from 1987-90 was the highlight, along with being a Cabinet member in the 1984-87 David Lange Labour Government.
‘‘However, local government, though very important, tends to be dominated by senior staff and it can be filled with self-serving mediocrity, as witnessed at ECan in 2010, with four irrigating councillors being found by the auditor-general to have had conflicts of interest when they voted against important water reforms.’’