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.
Craig Pauling | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Early life and education
editPauling 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
editPauling 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 the incumbent 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]
Personal life
editPauling is the father of three children.[1] Pauling is a national and international[8] waka ama (outrigger sea canoe) champion.[1]
Pauling is fluent in 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
- ^ Cain, Fran (14 September 2022), "A gold medal 20 years in the making – Daily Encourager", Daily Encourager, retrieved 17 October 2024