Papanui local, Victoria Henstock, will stand as an independent candidate for Council in the Papanui Ward at this year’s local body elections. 

Victoria was a practicing lawyer for 20+ years, before embarking on a career in executive management.  

She’s held significant roles including Executive Director of the post-earthquake Independent Hearings Panel for Christchurch, followed by a three year term as Executive Director of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust working with the Crown and the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch to reinstate the iconic Christ Church Cathedral in the heart of the City.  

Most recently Victoria was General Manager, Strategy and Influence for Ngāi Tahu.  

Victoria is currently a consultant working on executive management and governance issues. 

Victoria is active in her local community having chaired the PTA and Board of Trustees at Waimairi School.  

She is currently on the Board of St Francis of Assisi School, and Chair of a newly established Charitable Trust providing information and support to pregnant women in need.

A resident for the last 20 years, Victoria says it’s time for change and she is excited at the prospect of serving the Papanui community to make Christchurch an even better place to work, study, live and play.

“Papanui residents need a strong local voice at the council table, one that isn’t tied to a political party,” she said.  

“As Councillor for Papanui I would bring a mix of vision, practical decision-making, professionalism, and experience to the table.  Christchurch needs fresh energy and enthusiasm to drive our City into the future, nothing will change if nothing changes!

“I am a pragmatic and strategic thinker, a very good listener, and like to focus my attention on delivering the best possible outcomes for people in any given situation.  Not afraid to have tough conversations when needed.   I hold myself accountable, and others accountable for their work.  I would be proud to serve the people of Papanui and the City of Christchurch.”

“Papanui residents are telling me they want Council to listen, and stop excessive spending on non-priority projects.  They are concerned about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety. They also want the focus to be on getting the basics right like fixing roads and footpaths, maintaining and improving our parks and playgrounds. With the likelihood of increased density of housing in the area, these are real issues for Papanui residents, and the City.”

“We need to make sure our community assets are maintained properly and are fit for purpose, both for now, and for future generations.  This means fixing what we have, and being aspirational about what we want the Papanui Ward, and the City, to look like in the next decade, and beyond.  I would love to see improvements to our public spaces, making them greener and more attractive for people to enjoy.  Let’s focus on building community infrastructure that benefits everyone, not a select few.”

“Like others, I am frustrated at some of the spending priorities and decisions being made by our current Council.  The current rate-and-spend mentality is not sustainable.  I believe we should spend smarter and refocus our priorities.””

“I want the people of Christchurch to have confidence in their elected officials to spend their money wisely, and focus on getting the basics right.”

“I am uneasy about the Government’s 3-Waters Scheme, the looming Resource Management Act reforms and Future for Local Government Review.  These will have significant implications for our City, and the future of local democracy.  I agree that we need to look closely at these matters, but I don’t agree that Wellington bureaucrats are the best people to make decisions about our local neighbourhoods.”

Previous roles include being a trustee of the YMCA and working extensively with Women’s Refuge, and Community Law Centres.