Councillor and Community Board candidates for the Coastal Ward in the 2025 local elections.

Councillor – 1 vacancy

Coastal Ward Councillor.

Taraia BROWN

Independent

My principal place of residence is in the Coastal Ward area.

I permanently reside in the Coastal Ward and love our community.
As a Consultant with over 20 years of public sector leadership experience, I am deeply committed to the needs of our community, especially families, seniors, and vulnerable residents. My postgraduate qualifications in Business Management and Organisational Psychology has equipped me to engage with diverse communities and drive change.
The Coastal Ward faces unique challenges, including ensuring safer streets, providing affordable housing, improving essential services, and reserving the natural beauty of our coastline. If elected as your Councillor, I will work tirelessly to address these issues and create a more connected, resilient, and thriving community.
I believe in building momentum for real, lasting solutions that benefit all residents. Together, we can ensure that everyone in the Coastal Ward feels supported, safe, and empowered. I’m dedicated to making the coast a place where everyone thrives, today and in the future.

Celeste DONOVAN

Independent

My principal place of residence is in the Coastal Ward area.

I’m running to keep Coastal’s momentum strong and your priorities at the heart of every decision. Vote Celeste Donovan for Council.
This term, we’ve delivered real progress: resilient infrastructure, improved community spaces, and safer neighbourhoods. These outcomes reflect what matters to you, because I’ve listened, engaged widely, and stood up for our community.
We’ve secured a chlorine-free water station on Keyes Road, the New Brighton Mall upgrade is moving ahead, and the long-overdue rebuild of Pages Road Bridge is finally underway.
There’s been action on land-banking, strong backing for local businesses and community safety, and funding for hubs like the Pūkeko Centre — alongside the basics: better roads, footpaths, pipes, and stormwater infrastructure across our coastal suburbs.
Re-electing me means no time lost. I have the knowledge, relationships, and experience to keep things moving and the drive to keep delivering for Coastal.
Let’s keep moving forward, together with purpose.
www.celestedonovan.co.nz(external link) 

Jo ZERVOS

Independent

My principal place of residence is in the Coastal Ward area.

After six years on Community Board, I’m now putting my hand up for council. I’m reliable, hardworking, very proactive, and love working with community. I have a head for numbers and a background in business management, own two businesses, and have Instructed AquaFit for 32 years.
As a lifelong fourth-generation resident, raising my family here too, and currently living in New Brighton, the beach has been my second home. I have a wealth of Coastal knowledge others don’t. My father is former Councillor Mike Stevens the Pier is his legacy.
Do the basics well. Fix what’s broken. Resolve flooding. Future proof infrastructure. Cut wasteful spending.
I do not support over engineered cycle ways, speed platforms, and unnecessary speed humps.
Involvement - Waimairi Surf Club Life Member, Deputy Chair of Keep Christchurch Beautiful, Keep QEII in the East, Graffiti Volunteer. 
I am the Independent vote needed for change. 
Google me

 

Community Board – 2 vacancies

As the number of nominations received did not exceed the number of vacancies, Alex HEWISON and Kim MONEY are elected unopposed to the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board for the Coastal Ward.

 

Mayor – 1 vacancy

Mayor

View the 2025 candidates for Christchurch Mayor.

 

Canterbury Regional Council – 2 vacancies

Christchurch North East/Ōrei Constituency of the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury).

Canterbury Regional Council

View the 2025 Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) candidates.

 

Disclaimer

This candidate information has been compiled under the Local Electoral Act 2001. The Act provides that an electoral officer is not required to verify or investigate any information included in candidate profile statements and is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in such statement.