Heathcote Ward councillor Sara Templeton has officially announced her candidacy for Mayor of Christchurch, citing her governance experience and concerns about short-term decision-making.

Templeton, who has served as a councillor for over eight years, said her focus is on ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience for the city.

In an interview with chrislynchmedia.com, she explained what prompted her to step forward and run for the role.

Templeton said she had been approached by people for several years, urging her to consider stepping into a leadership position. “There have been a couple of things this term where decisions and proposals have been very short-term, and I’m a big fan of long-term thinking,” she said. “It was time to step up and take that mix of community experience and governance experience and lead a council that focuses on the future, sustainability, and resilience.”

A key area Templeton is passionate about is transport, which she believes needs to evolve in response to environmental challenges. “We often want to do what we’re used to when it comes to transport, but that’s short-term thinking,” she said. “Our environment is changing, and our transport system needs to change as well. Transport is a big part of our city’s emissions—54%—and we need to help that shift.”

She also criticised proposals like hosting the Commonwealth Games, describing them as a “short-term sugar hit.” While such events might boost the economy temporarily, Templeton argued, they come with significant long-term costs. “The costs of hosting can have long-term disbenefits,” she said.

Though she hadn’t always aspired to be mayor, Templeton said her decision hasn’t come as a surprise to those close to her. “My friends and family have been hugely supportive, and none of them were surprised,” she shared. “They’ve seen me growing in my governance skills over the years.”

Templeton announced her candidacy a year before the election, which she said was necessary for two main reasons. First, she plans to rely on grassroots fundraising efforts. “I don’t have personal wealth or wealthy friends to shoulder tap,” she explained, adding that she intends to host traditional fundraising events like quiz nights. Secondly, she said, “I had made up my mind, and it seemed disingenuous to pretend I was still thinking about it.”

When asked how she would unify councillors, Templeton said it’s crucial to avoid creating divisions within the council and instead focus on constructive debate that reflects the diverse views of Christchurch residents. “It’s not about getting a like-minded majority,” she said. “It’s about having good conversations with all councillors about what we can achieve together for the city.”

Addressing the issue of low public trust in local government, Templeton said she wants to increase community engagement and ensure residents feel more involved in decision-making. “I’d like to hold more forums where diverse community members and council staff can come together to discuss big issues and help inform planning,” she said.

On the topic of the controversial stadium project, Templeton stood by her decision to vote against increasing its seating capacity. “Experts told us that the right size for Christchurch was 25,000 permanent seats, not 30,000,” she said. “A slightly smaller stadium gives you a better atmosphere, and with the cost blowout of $150 million, it just wasn’t justifiable when we have so many other priorities.” She pointed out that 27% of the city’s water is lost due to leaks, and fixing this issue would have been a higher priority for her.

Reflecting on Christchurch’s current mayor, Phil Mauger, Templeton said she admires his friendliness and approachability. “He’s really generous with his time and conversations,” she said, noting that this is something she has been working on herself, given her introverted nature.

In the final part of the interview, Templeton made her pitch to voters. “I’ve come from the community—residents association chair, community board chair, councillor—and I’ve got eight years of governance experience on city council, leading committees and managing the climate change portfolio. I know I can lead a council that plans for our future, making sure our communities and environment are sustainable and resilient for the long term.”