Author: Simon Britten

Exploring Papanui Ward

[2022 update: this article refers to the Papanui Ward boundaries as they existed from 2016 to 2022. Following the Council’s 2021 representation review, changes to boundaries will apply from the 2022 election. Changes are noted in an article published in July 2022.]

Analysis: Papanui Ward is one of 19 wards & subdivisions that the city of Christchurch is divided into for local government representation. It has a population of around 25,000 people and includes a whole lot more than just the suburb of Papanui. It’s where I make my home, where I work, and where my children attend school. It’s also the area of focus for Think Papanui. So, where exactly is Papanui Ward and how do readers know if they’re part of it? Here’s a brief overview and a visual tour of some parts of the Ward.

CCC Papanui Ward map 2016
Papanui Ward (showing the 2016 population of 23,094 people)

Papanui Ward is described in detail on the Christchurch City Council website. (If you want to check what Ward you live in, you can use the Council’s interactive online map.)

Candidates elected to represent the Papanui Ward in 2019 will be part of the Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board, so will be making decisions across a much larger population and geographic area than just Papanui (link to 2016 map). The Papanui Councillor will also be part of decisions that affect the whole city, or parts other than Papanui. Continue reading “Exploring Papanui Ward”

Think Papanui: independent and neutral

Commentary: I really appreciate it when people take the time to comment on Think Papanui’s Facebook and Instagram posts. Recently someone asked on Think Papanui’s Facebook: “Has this post been paid for?”. I’m happy to take this as an opportunity to clarify both Think Papanui’s editorial policy, and also some of my own personal views. Continue reading “Think Papanui: independent and neutral”

Residents voice views on downstream traffic plans

Have your say: the draft Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC) Downstream Effects Management Plan is open for public feedback. As a condition of the project’s consent, this plan is required before the CNC opens. The plan “recommends a programme of work to reduce the downstream effects of the CNC”, however not everyone is a fan. There is a ‘Can the Plan’ campaign underway in the local community, as can be seen on the front page of the latest St Albans News:

Can the Plan STAN p1
Image credit: St Albans News, April/May 2019

What’s in the plan?

The CNC is expected to open in late 2020. The draft management plan proposes three delivery stages for mitigation work: Continue reading “Residents voice views on downstream traffic plans”

Papanui impacted by proposed school zone and roll changes

Analysis: the Papanui area will be impacted by proposed changes to zones and the capacity of Christchurch high schools arising from a review that aims to reduce out of zone enrolments across the city.

[Edit January 2020: see this article for details of the outcome for Papanui and Burnside High Schools, including their zones for 2020 and a further change planned for 2022.]

PHS front fence

The school zone boundary between Burnside and Papanui High Schools is set to change – by 2022 the boundary is proposed to move closer towards Papanui. Continue reading “Papanui impacted by proposed school zone and roll changes”

Nor’West News: “Papanui candidates step up for October elections”

Today I’ve announced that I’ll be a Papanui Ward candidate in this year’s local body elections. Thanks Nor’West News for covering this:

Papanui candidates NWN.jpg

The full article also can be found in Continue reading “Nor’West News: “Papanui candidates step up for October elections””