1989 Christchurch City Council election

September 2025 September 2025 1989 Christchurch City Council election New Zealand File:Christchurch coat of arms shield.svg Presidential no 1986 Christchurch City Council election 1986 1992 Christchurch City Council election 1992 14 October 1989 121,680 (60.56%) no 100px Vicki Buck Independent 63,824 52.45 100px Morgan Fahey United Citizens DDEEFF 30,891 25.39 100px Margaret Murray Christchurch Action FFFFAA 25,666 21.09 Mayor Hamish Hay Christchurch Citizens' Association Vicki Buck Independent yes no Councillors All 24 seats on the City Council13 seats needed for a majority United Citizens Dennis Rich #DDEEFF 30.49 7 10 New Zealand Labour Party Alex Clark, succeeded by David CloseAlex Clark was the Labour Party leader, but he resigned from the party within a week of the election to become an independent. 21.62 6 9 Christchurch Action Margaret Murray #FFFFAA 26.16 6 new Independents for Papanui ward no Des King & Gordon Freeman #e7a8a8 4.51 2 new Independent n/aTwo independents won seats, but the Labour Party's Alex Clark resigned from the party within a week of the election and became the third independent. 3 0 300px Council 300px Mayoral Results by ward The 1989 Christchurch City Council election was a local election held from September to 14 October in Christchurch, New Zealand, as part of that year's nation-wide local elections. Voters elected the mayor of Christchurch and 24 city councillors for the 1989–1992 term of the Christchurch City Council. Postal voting and the first-past-the-post voting system were used. These were the first elections held after the Fourth Labour Government's 1989 local government reforms. Vicki Buck, an independent, was elected with more than double second place. The council was split mainly into three camps; conservative United Citizens on 7, Labour also on 7, and the new conservative Christchurch Action group on 6. Election schedule Key dates relating to the local elections were as follows:Local Elections and Polls Act 1976 (1976 No 144) +2 SeptemberFinal possible day for returning officers to give public notice of location and closing date for candidate nominations.8 SeptemberLast day of candidate nominations and withdrawals, closed at noon. Unopposed candidates are declared nominated to office.28 September – 6 OctoberPostal ballots to be sent out where required.14 OctoberPolling day – Polls open 9am to 7pm. Postal ballots must be returned to returning officer before poll close.1 NovemberNew councils come into existence, elected members take office. Mayoral election 1989 Christchurch mayoral election Incumbent mayor Hamish Hay had been mayor for five terms, and his intention was to contest another mayoralty. Less than two months out from the election, he pulled out of the contest due to ill health.Sir Hamish steps aside https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890823.2.78 24 September 2025 The Press 23 August 1989 16 Prior to the election there was a schism on the right wing Citizens' Association resulting in two conservative tickets running against each other. The first to leave the union was councillor Carol Evans.Forrester Kay Discontent prompts councillor to abandon alliance https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890615.2.59 28 September 2025 The Press 15 June 1989 7 United Citizens was the successor of the Citizens' Association and Christchurch Action was founded by Margaret Murray.Forrester Kay Split council still to set battle lines The Press 16 October 1989 1 Christchurch Action was set up, comprising former councillors from districts that merged with the city as part of the 1989 local government reforms.Scanlon Sean Crean Mike Cutting their ties; Two parties in control The Press 24 April 2004 D11 The three main contenders were Vicki Buck (Independent), Morgan Fahey (United Citizens), and Murray (Christchurch Action). Buck won the election with 52% of the vote.The Press 88 Declaration of results of elections: Christchurch City https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19891028.2.192.1 28 October 1989 24 September 2025 Ward results As part of the 1989 local government reforms the number of local government wards increased from five to twelve with each ward electing two members, as opposed to the three or four that wards previously elected. The number of councillors increased from 18 to 24. The Christchurch Action team was founded on 13 August by Margaret Murray. The ticket's goals were based on improving city services, additional police, and improving efficiency of the council.Murray highlights Goals link https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890814.2.10?end_date=31-12-1989&items_per_page=10&page=2&query=Christchurch+Action&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1986 13 June 2024 The Press 14 August 1989 1 There were changes in political affiliations during the council term. Carole Evans, councillor for the West Ward who ran under the Citizens' team in 1986 ran as an independent. Two sitting councillors from the abolished Waimairi district council, Gordon Freeman and Des King, stood under the Independents for Papanui ward team. Philip Carter, who was the son of councillor and deputy mayor Maurice Carter ran for the Action team as opposed to his father's affiliation of Citizens. Councillor Alex Clark seemingly endorsed Buck for mayor at the Labour council campaign launch on 16 August as well as endorsing the Independents for Papanui Ward ticket. However, chairman of the local body committee of Canterbury Labour, Maggie Hillock, clarified that Clark's endorsement did not represent the views of the party. The accidental endorsement was seen to offend Councillor David Close who had considered standing for Labour on the mayoral ticket.Labour backs Buck https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890816.2.10 23 September 2025 The Press 16 August 1989 1Labour not backing Buck https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890817.2.42 23 September 2025 The Press 17 August 1989 6 Burwood ward Burwood ward (2)Public notices https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19891223.2.165.8?end_date=31-12-1989&items_per_page=10&page=2&query=Burwood+Recount&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1987 13 June 2024 The Press 23 December 1989 43The Candidates https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1989/10/02/41 13 June 2024 The Press 16 October 1989 41–48 Independent politician Carole Evans* 4,461 46.87 Independent politician Mike Stevens 3,183 33.44 New Zealand Labour Party Arthur Adcock 3,181 33.42 New Zealand Labour Party Alister James* 2,540 26.69 United Citizens #DDEEFF Judith Bruce 1,767 18.56 United Citizens #DDEEFF Colin Harry Russel 1,442 15.15 Action #FFFFAA Roger Maaka 1,363 14.31 Action #FFFFAA Butler Graham 1,099 11.55 432 19,468 Fendalton ward Fendalton ward (2) United Citizens #DDEEFF Ron Wright* 4,559 42.02 Action #FFFFAA Philip Carter* 4,531 41.76 Action #FFFFAA Barbara Stewart 4,231 39.00 United Citizens #DDEEFF Bea Stokes 4,127 38.04 Independent politician Alan Falloon 2,891 26.65 Independent politician Daniel Visser 1,359 12.53 724 21,698 Ferrymead ward Ferrymead ward (2) United Citizens #DDEEFF David Cox* 4,486 45.53 New Zealand Labour Party Charles Manning* 3,644 36.99 United Citizens #DDEEFF Clive Cotton* 2,859 35.40 New Zealand Labour Party Carl Horn 2,871 29.14 Action #FFFFAA Jamie Tulloch 1,869 18.97 Independent politician Sara (Sadie) Scott 1,773 18.00 Action #FFFFAA Roy Hughes 1,573 15.97 370 19,704 Hagley ward Hagley ward (2) New Zealand Labour Party Linda Constable* 4,046 59.57 New Zealand Labour Party Denis O'Rourke 3,126 46.02 United Citizens #DDEEFF Noel Wesney 1,926 28.35 United Citizens #DDEEFF Rae Mills 1,757 25.87 Action #FFFFAA Don DonnithorneForrester Kay Murray's team attacks opponents https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890814.2.52 24 September 2025 The Press 14 August 1989 9 1,405 20.68 Action #FFFFAA Phillip Donnelly 1,325 19.51 461 13,585 Heathcote ward Heathcote ward (2) United Citizens #DDEEFF Rex Arbuckle* 3,803 37.86 Action #FFFFAA Oscar Alpers 3,450 34.34 Independent politician Ann Lewis 2,877 28.64 United Citizens #DDEEFF Gil Laurenson 2,372 23.61 Action #FFFFAA Raywyn Ramage 2,099 20.89 New Zealand Labour Party Richard Budd 1,885 18.76 New Zealand Labour Party Peter McGrail 1,805 17.97 Independent politician David Drayton 1,801 17.93 489 20,092 Papanui ward Papanui ward (2) Papanui Independent #e7a8a8 Gordon Freeman 5,253 50.65 Papanui Independent #e7a8a8 Des King 4,889 47.14 Action #FFFFAA Bruce McFadden 4,113 39.65 Action #FFFFAA Gil Simpson 2,783 26.83 United Citizens #DDEEFF Gail McIntosh 1,933 18.64 United Citizens #DDEEFF Kate Fraser 1,773 17.09 500 20,744 Pegasus ward Pegasus ward (2) New Zealand Labour Party David Close* 5,103 57.14 New Zealand Labour Party Noala Massey* 4,301 48.16 United Citizens #DDEEFF Bob Andrews 2,884 32.29 United Citizens #DDEEFF Bill Morgan 2,051 22.97 Action #FFFFAA Denise Ward 1,840 20.60 Action #FFFFAA Christian Birch 1,301 14.57 Progression with Pride #a793ac David Nation 381 4.27 485 17,861 Riccarton ward Riccarton ward (2) Action #FFFFAA David Buist 3,654 38.06 Action #FFFFAA Derek Anderson 3,598 37.48 United Citizens #DDEEFF Brian Harman 3,342 34.81 Independent politician Jim Adlam 3,173 33.05 Independent politician Peter Yarrel 3,037 31.63 United Citizens #DDEEFF Mervyn Cooper 2,397 24.97 711 19,201 Shirley ward Shirley ward (2) United Citizens #DDEEFF Newton Dodge 3,992 45.07 United Citizens #DDEEFF Dennis Rich* 3,556 40.15 New Zealand Labour Party Linda Purves 2,836 32.02 New Zealand Labour Party Hinemoa Conner 2,151 24.29 Independent politician Phillip Norman 2,007 22.66 Action #FFFFAA Sarah Armstrong 1,670 18.86 Action #FFFFAA Ian Shrimpton 1,502 16.96 444 17,714 Spreydon ward Spreydon ward (2) United Citizens #DDEEFF Morgan Fahey* 4,319 49.79 Independent Alex Clark*Clark was elected on a Labour Party ticket, but resigned from the party within a week of the election and became an independent. 3,671 42.32 New Zealand Labour Party Ruby Fowler* 3,186 36.73 United Citizens #DDEEFF Pearl Quigley 2,686 30.97 Action #FFFFAA Kevin Trerise 1175 13.55 Action #FFFFAA Graham Catley 1,077 12.42 Progressive Independent #ffd5e5 Peter Yearbury 1,065 12.28 Economic Euthenics #AA6 Tubby Hansen 169 1.95 362 17,348 Waimairi ward Waimairi ward (2) Action #FFFFAA Pat Harrow 5,019 47.01 Action #FFFFAA John Hanafin 4,877 45.68 Independent politician Fred Blogg 3,509 32.86 United Citizens #DDEEFF Ralph Skjellerup 2,942 27.55 United Citizens #DDEEFF Honor M. Bonisch 2,423 22.69 Town & Country #e5ffd5 Angus Mackenzie 1,053 9.86 Independent politician Paul Telfer 1,053 9.86% Independent politician Te Waikanau Taylor 479 4.49 633 21,355 Wigram ward Wigram ward (2) United Citizens #DDEEFF Mary Corbett 2,866 35.15 New Zealand Labour Party Ishwar Ganda 2,489 30.53 Independent politician Barry Anderson 2,413 29.59 New Zealand Labour Party Rod Falconer 1,741 21.35 Action #FFFFAA Dennis J. Cunningham 1,625 19.93 United Citizens #DDEEFF John Butler 1,614 19.80 Action #FFFFAA John Dunnett 1,581 19.39 Independent politician Norman Davey 1,054 12.93 Independent politician Leslie Fibbens 924 11.33 448 16,307 Ward summary 1989CC-Council "wikitable" +Christchurch city councillors elected ! Ward ! colspan="2" Party ! Elected - rowspan="2" Burwood Independent Independent colspan="2" Carole Evans* - Independent Independent colspan="2" Mike Stevens - rowspan="2" Fendalton Christchurch Citizens' Association United Citizens colspan="2" Ron Wright* - Christchurch Action Action colspan="2" Philip Carter - rowspan="2" Ferrymead Christchurch Citizens' Association United Citizens colspan="2" David Cox* - New Zealand Labour Party Labour colspan="2" Charles Manning* - rowspan="2" Hagley New Zealand Labour Party Labour colspan="2" Linda Constable* - New Zealand Labour Party Labour colspan="2" Denis O'Rourke* - rowspan="2" Heathcote Christchurch Citizens' Association United Citizens colspan="2" Rex Arbuckle* - Christchurch Action Action colspan="2" Oscar Alpers - rowspan="2" Papanui Independent Papanui Independent colspan="2" Gordon Freeman - Independent Papanui Independent colspan="2" Des King - rowspan="2" Pegasus New Zealand Labour Party Labour colspan="2" David Close* - New Zealand Labour Party Labour colspan="2" Noala Massey* - rowspan="2" Riccarton Christchurch Action Action colspan="2" David Buist - Christchurch Action Action colspan="2" Derek Anderson - rowspan="2" Shirley Christchurch Citizens' Association United Citizens colspan="2" Newton Dodge - Christchurch Citizens' Association United Citizens colspan="2" Dennis Rich* - rowspan="2" Spreydon Christchurch Citizens' Association United Citizens colspan="2" Morgan Fahey* - Independent Labour colspan="2" Alex Clark*Clark was elected on a Labour Party ticket, but resigned from the party within a week of the election and became an independent.Forrester Kay Clark hands in his party ticket https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19891021.2.8 28 September 2025 The Press 21 October 1989 1 - rowspan="2" Waimairi Christchurch Action Action colspan="2" Pat Harrow - Christchurch Action Action colspan="2" John Hanafin - rowspan="2" Wigram Christchurch Citizens' Association United Citizens colspan="2" Mary Corbett - New Zealand Labour Party Labour colspan="2" Ishwar Ganda } Footnotes: * denotes incumbents Aftermath Within a week of the election, Clark resigned from the Labour Party without publicly stating the reasons. David Close took over as leader of the party on the city council.Morton Pam Call for Clark to give up place on councils https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19891024.2.7 28 September 2025 The Press 24 October 1989 1 The Labour Party and United Citizens' formed an alliance for determining the various committees and their chairpersonship, blocking Christchurch Action and Clark from any influential positions.Forrester Kay Council alliance sews up top jobs https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19891107.2.2 30 September 2025 The Press 7 November 1989 1 Footnotes References Christchurch Christchurch Category:1980s in Christchurch Christchurch