Why I’m Standing in 2025
Who I am, who I'm running with, and what I stand for.
Once every three years, the duty falls upon our city to elect a set of representatives to govern us. People of all dispositions and backgrounds will put their hands up across the city, asking for your vote.
Each will share their vision for our city and region, in an attempt to sway you.
This year, I will be standing for election in Papanui for Community Board.
Here’s a quick rundown of who I am, who I’m standing with, and what I stand for.
Who Am I?
For the uninitiated, I’m Harrison McEvoy, and I am a Community Advocate here in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
I’m a teacher by trade, and my community advocacy specialises in Housing and Transport infrastructure. I live and shop locally, and have been a keen advocate for better things in the Papanui Ward.
I’m a graduate of the University of Canterbury, with Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations, and European and European Union Studies; as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning.
I have close to a decade’s worth of experience in community organisations and charities, ranging from volunteering to directorships and governance positions.
Between 2017 and 2024, I volunteered in multiple positions with UN Youth New Zealand, including on their Board of Directors, focusing on improving civic education outcomes for high-schoolers and tertiary students nationwide. In my final year, I served as the Chair of the People, Culture, and Appointments Committee, helping improve experiences and development opportunities for volunteers.
In 2024, I helped found Greater Ōtautahi, a local urbanist collective that is successfully advocating for housing, transport, and urban environment changes in our city. I have been a Committee Member in this group since its incorporation, and have helped lead discussions around the impacts of increased congestion and mode choice, organisation and cooperation with local organisations, as well as acting as a Spokesperson in the media.
In April of this year, I stepped into the role of Chair of the St Albans Residents’ Association, helping to lead action and conversations in my local community around important and impactful topics, such as commercial development and transport impacts. I’ve been a Committee Member of the Association since September 2024, and peripherally involved since early 2023.
Who Am I Standing With?
For those of you who remember 2022, I stood as an Independent candidate.
This year, I have chosen to stand with The People’s Choice, as their candidate for the Papanui Community Board seat.
I’m a firm believer that nothing in Local Politics is an independent act, and that the best outcomes come from collaboration and cooperation. To that end, I’ve chosen to run with people who I believe are complementary to my political views and positions.
The people I’m running alongside represent some of the best candidates, and most committed community advocates this city has to offer.
Specifically within the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central area, these are:
Papanui
Simon is in his second term as deputy chair of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board and his fifteenth year working in the community sector. He is now seeking the Council seat in Papanui.
With an extensive prior career in the international technology sector, he is now responsible for leading 11 staff in a youth employment programme at Christchurch's Youth One-Stop Shop - Te Tahi Youth.
Prior to this, Simon spent 12 years working at Te Ora Hou Otautahi as a both a Project and Attendance Service Manager. In his spare time, he runs community news site Think Papanui, helping inform locals on what’s happening in Local Government, prioritising community engagement.
He has been a tireless advocate for youth communities, and an excellent representative for Papanui’s needs as a Community Board Member. He has also served as LGNZ’s local Community Board working group lead.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Simon and having him as my local Board member. He’s exactly what Papanui needs, and has worked tirelessly to promote our local needs at a city-wide level. As our Councillor, he would be able to better advocate and secure funding for our communities.
Innes
Pauline is the incumbent Councillor for the Innes Ward, and since 2022 has served as the Deputy Mayor of Christchurch. This would be her fifth consecutive term representing the people of the Innes Ward.
She has represented Innes in some form since 2007, and is a staunch advocate for community development. Her advocacy is well recognised in her support for local organisations such as the St Albans Pavilion and Pool Board, and in efforts such as securing the MacFarlane Park Centre’s transfer, the MacFarlane Park Birdsong Trail installation, and the purchasing of neighbouring properties to create the St Albans Resident’s Association māra/garden.
Pauline has also been tirelessly advocating for the installation of new stormwater systems in Edgeware and Shirley, securing long-term funding and political support for solutions that would alleviate the area’s woes.
Mike Davidson - for Community Board
Mike is the former Councillor for Papanui, a role he served in between 2016 and 2022. Prior to this he was on the Community Board as a Member from 2013. He currently works for Whitiora Center Limited as their Operations Manager.
Mike has been a long-term community asset, both in his former work at CCC and in his local advocacy. As a Committee Member for the St Albans Pavilion and Pool Board, he was instrumental in helping the project come to fruition. While at Council, as chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, he was instrumental in securing significant Crown investment into transport, saving ratepayers millions.
Mike is also the Deputy Chair of the Styx Living Laboratory Trust and was previously a director of both ChristchurchNZ and Civic Building Limited. In his spare time, Mike is an avid cyclist and athlete - completing his first solo Coast to Coast earlier this year.
Pauline and Mike are two tireless advocates for their communities. I work with Pauline at our Residents’ Association, and the lengths she goes to to help our community is incredible. Mike has repeatedly given his all to his community, and I have no doubts of his capacity to serve again.
Central
Jake is the incumbent Councillor for Central, a role he has served in since 2019. This would be his third term as Central Ward’s Councillor.
He has been a strong advocate against asset sales, and a driving force in the rapid growth of the city center in the last few years. His advocacy has seen a Central City Shuttle trial included for consultation in the latest Annual Plan, and he has been navigating legislation to find a beneficial solution to the increasing conflict between live music venues and new residents in the CBD.
He has a background in broadcasting and community outreach. He is a director of Christchurch NZ, a trustee of the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust, and Deputy Chair of the Council’s Audit and Risk and Insurance committees.
Dr. Sunita Gautam - for Community Board
Dr. Sunita Gautam JP is an incumbent Central Ward Community Board Member, first elected in a 2020 by-election. She brings a unique blend of academic expertise, business insight, and community engagement to the role.
Holding a PhD in Management, Sunita lectures in Senior Business and Management at Ara Institute of Canterbury, she also serves as a business mentor, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. Her strong business acumen and commitment to practical learning make her a valuable guide for aspiring professionals.
In addition to her academic and professional contributions, Sunita is a Trustee of Christchurch Resettlement Services, board member at Edgeware Pool board and the Rose Historic Chapel. While she is widely recognised for her advocacy within Christchurch’s multicultural communities, her leadership extends across diverse sectors, reflecting a deep commitment to inclusive growth, civic participation, community safety, and sustainable development.
John Miller - for Community Board
John Miller is an incumbent Community Board Member in the Central Ward. He has held this position since 2022.
John is a versatile marketing and branding professional who founded snorks.co.nz, and helped to increase Trade Aid’s retail performance by 25%.
On the Community Board, he has focused on the Linwood Village area revitalisation project, bringing focus and drive to one of Christchurch’s most lengthy rebuild processes, and support to a community in need.
Jake, Sunita, and John have been powerhouses for the Central Ward for the past three years. From securing funding for Linwood Village, to building safety networks in some of our lowest socio-economic communities, they are all committed to a brighter future. Each of them represents the best of these communities.
I’m local, connected, and committed to serving you as a member of our Community Board.
To do this, I’m asking for your support.
A campaign takes a lot, in both time and resources. If you’re able to, I’d love some help. From donations, to volunteering, to just offering to have a billboard on your fence; everything helps.
I believe that the best kinds of politics involve everyone, and I would love to hear from as many of you as possible about issues, or opportunities.
Ngā mihi nui,
Harrison.
If you’re keen to volunteer or help out in anyway, get in touch with me at chchmcevoy@gmail.com.
Find out more about me and my work on my other socials.