Craig Pauling | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Pauling in 2007 | |
| Chair of Environment Canterbury | |
| Assumed office 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Scott |
| Deputy Chair of Environment Canterbury | |
| In office October 2019 – October 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Green[1] |
| Children | 3 |
Craig Pauling is a New Zealand politician. Pauling has represented Christchurch West/Ōpuna as a councillor for Environment Canterbury since 2019. He was elected chairperson of the regional authority in October 2024.
Early life and education
[edit]Pauling is of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga and European descent.[1] He attended high school at Aranui High School and graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in environmental management.[1] He later completed postgraduate qualifications in social science and ecology.[1]
Political career
[edit]Pauling was first elected to Environment Canterbury as a councillor in 2019.[2] He was re-elected in 2022.[3]
In 2022 Pauling was one of two candidates nominated for the position of chair of the council, the other candidate being Peter Scott. Eight councillors voted for each candidate, resulting in a tie that was broken by randomly drawing a name from a container.[4] Peter Scott retained the chair and Pauling was unanimously appointed deputy chair.[4]
In 2024 Peter Scott temporarily stood down as chairman after revealing during a radio interview that he was operating his farm without the necessary resource consents.[5] Due to his position as deputy chair, Pauling served as acting chair during Scott's absence.
Later in 2024 it was revealed that a car provided to Peter Scott had been detected speeding 678 times, with a top recorded speed of 157 kilometres per hour (98 mph). He again stood down from the chair, and Pauling took over as acting chair.[5] Scott later resigned from the role of chairperson.[6] In October 2024, the council unanimously appointed Pauling as the chair on a permanent basis.[7] Deon Swiggs was appointed to be deputy chair.[7] It was announced on 1 August 2025 that Pauling will not contest the 2025 local elections.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Pauling is the father of three children.[1] Pauling is a national and international[9] waka ama (outrigger sea canoe) champion.[1]
Pauling can speak te reo Māori.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Harvie, Will (16 October 2024), "Environment Canterbury's new chairperson is Green, Ngāi Tahu and an Aranui graduate", The Press, retrieved 17 October 2024
- ^ Morton, Anthony (17 October 2019), Environment Canterbury 2019 Triennial Elections Declaration of Results (PDF), Environment Canterbury, retrieved 17 October 2024
- ^ Morton, Anthony (14 October 2024), Environment Canterbury 2012 Triennial Elections Declaration of Results, Environment Canterbury, retrieved 17 October 2024
- ^ a b "Councillors elect Peter Scott as Chair for new term", Environment Canterbury, 27 October 2022, retrieved 17 October 2024
- ^ a b Leask, Jonathan (22 July 2024), "ECan chairman Peter Scott to face council as his future is debated", NZ Herald, retrieved 17 October 2024
- ^ "Environment Canterbury chair Peter Scott resigns", RNZ, 26 September 2024, retrieved 17 October 2024
- ^ a b "Environment Canterbury votes in Craig Pauling as new chairperson", RNZ, 16 October 2024, retrieved 17 October 2024
- ^ McDonald, Liz (1 August 2025). "ECan chairman Craig Pauling to stand down". The Press. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ Cain, Fran (14 September 2022), "A gold medal 20 years in the making – Daily Encourager", Daily Encourager, retrieved 17 October 2024