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

Councillor – 1 vacancy

Linwood Ward Councillor.

Evan BAKER

Independent

My principal place of residence is in the Linwood Ward area. I am also standing for Linwood Ward of the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board.

I’m standing for Council and the Waitai Coastal Community Board for the Linwood Ward because our community deserves stronger, more honest representation. I’ve lived on the East side most of my life and worked in Woolston for over 13 years. I established the Neighbourhood Support programme in our area, launched the W.C.U online community group, and founded our local residents group to bring people together and take action. I’ve worked closely with local residents and businesses, and over the past eight years, I’ve seen first-hand how crime and inaction have impacted our communities. I know many of you feel unheard—that needs to change. I’m not here for politics—I’m here for people. I’ll be a strong voice for our community and a champion for safety, sustainability, and common-sense progress. Together, we can build a safer, more connected and hopeful future for everyone in our neighbourhoods.

Ethan GULLERY

Independent

My principal place of residence is in the Linwood Ward area. I am also standing for Linwood Ward of the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board.

I'm Ethan Gullery, a data analyst, community advocate, and proud Linwood resident. 
In my career, I've helped organisations make smarter, fairer decisions. I'll bring that proven practical experience to our Council.
The thing that motivates me most is making the system work so that everyone can live their best possible lives.
As your independent councillor, I will protect our public services. Libraries, pools, and parks are the backbone of a community, and I will fight to keep them accessible and safe from budget cuts and asset sales.
I will advocate for responsible growth that benefits our entire community. I'll work to ensure new development doesn't lead to unaffordable rate hikes for residents.
I believe in accountability. I will push for council projects to have clear, measurable outcomes, using data to prove they work and that your rates are spent wisely. Linwood deserves a strong, effective voice at the council table.

Yani JOHANSON

The People's Choice - Labour

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

I’m an experienced City Councillor living in Woolston, seeking re-election to continue important work still underway. This ongoing work includes relocating the organics plant, prioritising the Wastewater Treatment Plant rebuild, tightening controls on industrial activities near homes, improving river water quality, restoring tree canopy, and removing chlorine from our drinking water.
While in office I helped get the much loved and well used Linwood Pool built, increased transparency by getting most Council briefings open to the public, and defended public ownership of strategic assets while supporting fair pay for workers.
I’ll keep pushing for investment in the east - fixing roads and footpaths, upgrading parks and sports fields, and addressing flooding. I believe in a more affordable, people-focused city that values strong local communities and good urban design over poorly built developments that undermine neighbourhoods.

 

Community Board – 2 vacancies

Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board members – Linwood Ward.

Evan BAKER

Independent

My principal place of residence is in the Linwood Ward of the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board area. I am also standing for Linwood Ward Councillor.

I’m standing for Council and the Waitai Coastal Community Board for the Linwood Ward because our community deserves stronger, more honest representation. I’ve lived on the East side most of my life and worked in Woolston for over 13 years. I established the Neighbourhood Support programme in our area, launched the W.C.U online community group, and founded our local residents group to bring people together and take action. I’ve worked closely with local residents and businesses, and over the past eight years, I’ve seen first-hand how crime and inaction have impacted our communities. I know many of you feel unheard—that needs to change. I’m not here for politics—I’m here for people. I’ll be a strong voice for our community and a champion for safety, sustainability, and common-sense progress. Together, we can build a safer, more connected and hopeful future for everyone in our neighbourhoods.

Ethan GULLERY

Independent

My principal place of residence is in the Linwood Ward of the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board area. I am also standing for Linwood Ward Councillor.

I'm Ethan Gullery, a data analyst, community advocate, and proud Linwood resident. 
In my career, I've helped organisations make smarter, fairer decisions. I'll bring that proven practical experience to our community.
The thing that motivates me most is making the system work so that everyone can live their best possible lives.
As your community board member, my first job will be to listen. I will act as your strong advocate by communicating with local organisations and residents, ensuring your interests are represented on council services and spending.
I will stand up for our neighbourhoods when it comes to new development, and maintain an overview of local services to help get everyday problems sorted without the runaround.
I believe sustained community change starts with genuine communication. I want to be your strong, local voice, making sure our community is heard and our interests are powerfully represented.

Paul MCMAHON

The People's Choice - Labour

My principal place of residence is in the Linwood Ward of the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board area.

I’m proud to represent our community — a place where people work hard and lend a hand when it’s needed. I want to make sure we get a fair go and a better deal for the East.
I live in Woolston with my wife and sons, and I work helping communities tackle alcohol and drug harm. I’ve also worked in mental health, served on a local school board, and volunteered with a couple of great local charities.
As your Community Board Chair, I’ve made good on the things I said I’d do — getting trees planted, dealing with anti-social behaviour in our suburban villages, pushing to get the wastewater plant repaired and the organics plant moved, and securing funding to get the Council focused where it’s needed most: the East.
If you want someone who shows up, gets things done, and puts our community first, I’m asking for your vote.

Wayne SEARLE

My principal place of residence is in the Linwood Ward of the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board area.

I have lived in Christchurch all my life. I absolutely love this city. We are very privileged to live here, I would like to encourage & support our community to also embrace and support our city in a positive way.
My background is varied. I have worked in the automotive industry most of my life, For the last 20 years I have been working in the tourism industry, showcasing our amazing country to overseas visitors. Through Tour Guiding and Operations Management.
I now find it is time, for myself to share some of the knowledge I have learned through hard work over the years, and to perhaps share some of this knowledge into my community. Hence I am applying to be a community board member for the Linwood ward.
Thank you in advance for all your support.
Best Regards
Wayne Searle

Jackie SIMONS

The People's Choice - Labour

My principal place of residence is in the Linwood Ward of the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board area.

I have lived in the Woolston/Linwood area most of my life.
Working in healthcare, I increasingly saw a community divided because of rising poverty and inequality. It is still a concern, because we deserve a better future for ourselves and our families.
If reelected, I would like to continue being a voice for the people of East Christchurch and encourage resources that inspire people to become more involved and gain a better sense of self-worth and regard for their surroundings. To do this, I believe you need to empathise, not sympathise, and have walked the walk, not read the book.
I have faced many of the challenges that people are facing today, and I have the abilities to help break down barriers and improve the day to day lives of our citizens.
I would love to continue the work I have started for the East.

 

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.