Independent Citizens are a local-body political ticket in Christchurch, New Zealand. They contest seats on the Christchurch City Council and on the city's community boards.
The group's members lean centre-right politically. The group serves as the main group for the city's right wing, acting in opposition to the city's centre-left group The People's Choice.
Positions and platform The group advocates for traditional centre-right positions, such as lowering rates and spending only on "the basics".
According to Independent Citizens councillor Sam MacDonald, the group's constitution forbids whipping of group members to vote a certain way.
The group is associated with the National Party, though this association is not official.
History
2022–2025 term For the 2022–2025 term, the group had two elected members, James Gough (Fendalton ward) and Sam MacDonald (Waimairi ward). They also had six community board members.
2025 election In the 2025 election, they put forward 3 candidates for city council. Incumbent Sam MacDonald was re-elected unopposed.
Lists of representatives
2022–2025 term Initially two Independent Citizens candidates were elected as councillors and six were elected to community boards. Luke Chandler was appointed to the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton community board following the resignation of People's Choice-affiliated member Gamal Fouda.
Independent Citizens elected members for the 2022–2025 term included: Ward Name Photo Fendalton James Gough Waimairi Sam MacDonald Community board Subdivision Name Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood (in majority) Harewood Jason Middlemiss Linda Chen Waimairi Shirish Paranjape Fendalton David Cartwright Bridget Williams Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton (in minority) Riccarton Helen BroughtonLuke Chandler
Electoral performance Election # of candidates Winning candidates Mayor Council Board Regional council Total Mayor Council Board Regional council Total2022–4?––?–2025–38–11––
References
Official results