Community First. Action Always.
As a Waimakariri District Councillor, my portfolios are Community Development and Wellbeing, Promotions, Town Centres and Business, I chair Community and Recreation meetings along with East and West Mixed Use Business Working Group.
I am appointed to the Woodend Sefton Community Board and attend the Kaiapoi Tuahiwi Community Board meetings
I like to attend the monthly Kaiapoi and Rangiora museum meetings, as well as Waimakariri Access group, Road Safety, Migrants, Property, Food Secure North Canterbury, Welcoming Community plan meetings, Youth Action plan meetings, Kaiapoi Promotion and Oxford promotion meetings along with Pegasus Residents Group monthly meetings to name a few.
I checked my diary and in the past year I attended more than 1150 meetings, workshops, briefings and events.
What has Council achieved recently:
- In the last 20 years invested $100m million in 3 waters, with a budget of an additional $139million to be spent in this 10 year LTP. Much has been spent in Kaiapoi on pipes and pumps to reduce the risk of future flooding events, with more to be done in Waikuku, Woodend and Tuahiwi.
- Pegasus Community Centre has been designed and out for tender.
- Plans to upgrade the Kaiapoi bridge ballustrading
- Elder persons housing units to be built on Courtney Drive, Kaiapoi.
- East and West MUBA Working Group has been established to consider the future of this land.
- Updating Parking bylaws.
- Woodend to Ravenswood walking and cycling connection.
- Woodend improvements to coincide with NZTA work on the bypass.
- Kaiapoi river works to improve accessibility for rowers and other users of the river.
- Mayors Taskforce for jobs, a nationally funded program.
- Kaiapoi Community hub, working with groups the likes of Croquet Club and Menzshed group to move on to Courtney Drive site.
- Youth Action Plan development.
- Welcoming Community plans, a nationally funded program.
- District Plan review is to come to Council later in June. This amongst other things considers rezoning of land, which will impact the growth of the district.
- District population is currently 72,000, with 82% living in their own home. In 2024 Council issued 743 building consents.
However there is still lots to do…
- Sefton Hall is in need of replacement.
- Kendal park facilities need upgrading.
- Accessibility of Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood, ie footpaths.
I am honoured and proud to serve Waimakariri residents and I work hard to do the very best job I can.
About Me
I’m married to Shirley, with the amount of time I spend at meetings and events around the entire district… there is no way you could do this role without a supportive partner. Shirley often attends the events with me… we have similar views as to what makes for a thriving vibrant community and its all about being out and about and listening to the people and their needs. Thank you Shirley
Shirley and I are proud parents to three amazing sons and we have three grand children. Together, we run a business, which has exported to 15 countries.
Why I’m Standing Again
I’ve been actively campaigning for Kaiapoi and the eastern parts of the district and have been doing that for years. I believe in real action, not just talk.
As I often say:
“I’m less ‘Houee’ and more ‘Doeee.’”
I’m deeply concerned about the rising cost of living, particularly for those on fixed incomes. Waimakariri is one of the fastest-growing districts in New Zealand, and with that growth comes real pressure — on infrastructure, on services, and on rates.
We need to:
Create more local jobs so fewer people have to commute
Be fiscally responsible investing in infrastructure
Think creatively about how we serve our growing population
My Promise
I don’t claim to have all the answers — but I do have the passion, experience, and willingness to learn. I will always put the community first, and I will always be accessible and accountable.
Thank you for your support, and for your vote.
– Brent Cairns
The following images show us out and about in the Waimakariri
