Christchurch City Councillor for Heathcote Ward, Sara Templeton, is taking a “serious look” at standing for the mayor of Christchurch.
Although the next local body elections are over a year away in October 2025, Chris Lynch Media has been inquiring about the intentions of current councillors regarding the mayoralty.
Templeton revealed to Chris Lynch Media, “I’ve had a lot of people asking me to stand and so I’m taking a serious look at it, but for now my focus is solidly on my mahi at Council and getting future-focused, sustainable outcomes for our city and residents.”
It’s understood People Choice aligned Riccarton Ward Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt would consider role as deputy mayor, but he didn’t respond to Chris Lynch Media.
Addressing speculation about other political roles, Templeton said, “I’ve heard various rumours floating around about the Deputy Mayor’s role too.
“However, in reality any mayor needs to wait and see who the residents of our city elect onto council before considering who would work best alongside them.”
Templeton holds the Climate Change Portfolio and serves as a Councillor Director on the board of Christchurch City Holdings Limited.
Before her election as a councillor, she chaired the Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board from 2013 to 2016, representing Central City, Linwood, Woolston, Mt Pleasant, and Sumner.
When asked what Templeton was most proud of since becoming a city councillor, she told Chris Lynch Media “I’m proud of the way I’ve stayed true to the values that residents voted me onto council for.
“I’ve stayed focused on the big picture for our city as well as supporting residents in the valuable mahi they do in our communities, not just in my ward, but across the city.
I wouldn’t elevate any one project above others as they all contribute in different ways to the wellbeing of our residents, whether it’s community gardens, libraries, water, transport choice or climate change.”
Templeton was one of three city councillors who voted against allocating an additional $150 million to fund the stadium, Te Kaha.
In April 2022, Templeton gained national attention for exposing online harassers targeting her.
Her efforts led to the resignation of two Young Nats members from the National Party after the courts traced their home as the source of misogynistic trolling.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger wouldn’t say if he’d stand for another term.
But he did say “I’m focused on getting things done and not on the elections.
“We still have the Long Term Plan to finalise, a new CE to appoint, a stadium to complete on time and on budget, roads and footpaths to fix, the wastewater treatment plant to fix, and we must restore people’s trust and confidence in our City Council.
I’m focused on these things at the moment because that’s what voters elected me to do.”
Deputy Mayor Pauline Cotter did not respond to Chris Lynch Media.
