Christchurch councillor resigning to take radio job
Christchurch City councillor James Daniels is resigning from his council role, triggering a
$65,000 by-election.
Daniels said yesterday he would be joining Simon Barnett to co-host Newstalk ZB afternoons from July 13.
He said he would resign from his council role once the city’s long-term plan (LTP) was approved in late June.
Former councillor David East, who Daniels ousted at the October
2019 election, has already put his hand up to fill the vacancy in a byelection.
‘‘I feel I’ve still got a lot to offer and there’s a few things I want to see through and be a part of. I’m keen to pick up where I left off,’’ East said.
Daniels, who was elected to represent the coastal ward, said it was a difficult decision because representing the ward had been an ‘‘honour and a privilege’’.
He said he decided to accept the radio job because it was an extraordinary opportunity, especially at his age. Daniels is 66 years old.
He hoped his constituents would understand. ‘‘It’s one for the boomers.’’
A council spokeswoman said a date for a by-election had not been determined. Daniels had not yet given his resignation to chief executive Dawn Baxendale.
Once his resignation has been received, a by-election needs to be held within 89 days. The estimated cost is $65,000.
Daniels said he had no intention of contributing towards that cost, because ‘‘that was the cost of democracy’’.
He received 2795 votes in 2019, compared to East’s 2456 votes.
East applauded Daniels for deciding to pursue his passion.
Another former city councillor Glenn Livingstone, who was ousted by Phil Mauger in the Burwood ward in 2019, said he needed to talk to his family before making a decision on whether to stand.
However, Livingstone said he had beaten East in an election before, and he would relish the contest.
‘‘I’m more progressive and my views are more aligned with the ward than David’s.’’
Livingstone was critical of Daniel’s decision to resign from the council. He believed once a councillor committed to the role they needed to stay there for three years except under exceptional personal circumstances, even if they did get a better offer.
Daniels has been hosting a nine to noon show on Coast FM since last year and he would continue with that once he started at Newstalk. It was a part-time role, and he managed to juggle that alongside his council duties.
He rose to fame in the 1980s when he and Ken Ellis ruled the morning radio scene in Canterbury on ZM and later More FM.
‘‘Being asked to move from a local focus on Christchurch and Canterbury, to a fulltime host nationwide on the biggest radio network in New Zealand is unexpected and extraordinary.’’
Daniels’ hands-on approach as a councillor has seen him gain support from his constituents, particularly when he and Mauger dug a trench without permission to resolve a long-running flooding issue.
He was also out in New Brighton recently with a water blaster tidying up the area.
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said in a statement she was sad to see him go, but appreciated this was a dream career opportunity for him. ‘‘I wish him well.’’
Mauger said he completely understood Daniel’s decision because a job like that did not come by every day.
Cr Mike Davidson said Daniels had been an excellent councillor and a positive advocate for the east.
What do locals think?
The Press talked to people in New Brighton to gauge their reaction. One pensioner simply said ‘‘bugger’’ while a number struggled to recall who their local councillor was.
New Brighton Bin Inn owner Nikki Griffin, 47, said the news was ‘‘a bit of a shocker’’.
‘‘It’s going to be a big cost to the ratepayer.’’
Retiree John Walder, 74, thought James was a good councillor, and believed the council had not treated him well, prompting his resignation.
‘‘I think he did well for New Brighton, but he got shut down because he didn’t toe the line.
‘‘We need more councillors like him with balls to get up and say something and do something.’’
But Bill Brady, 86, felt Daniels had done ‘‘nothing special’’.
Gifford contract not renewed
Daniels replaces Phil Gifford, who is leaving Newstalk ZB Afternoons after two years cohosting the show with Barnett.
Gifford said he had a two-year contract that was not renewed, but he would not say if it was his decision to step away from the show.