Long-time councillor calls it quits ahead of election

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Christchurch city councillor James Gough will become executive director at The Terrace, working alongside his uncle Antony Gough, after deciding not to contest October’s council election.

James Gough is calling time on his 15-year career as a Christchurch city councillor.

Gough, who has worked with three mayors, four chief executives and dozens of councillors during his five terms on the council, made the shock announcement on Wednesday.

He had previously stated he planned to stand for a sixth term at the October election.

The 39-year old will instead move into the private sector as executive director of The Terrace. He will work alongside his uncle Antony Gough, who built the hospitality and office complex along Oxford Tce after the earthquakes.

“I’ve got big shoes to fill and they’re not as brightly coloured as Antony’s, but I will do my best to add to his legacy.”

James Gough says the time is right for him to go into the private sector.

At 76, prominent businessman and property developer Antony Gough, known for his brightly coloured clothing, has earned the right to take a step back and enjoy more holidays, Gough said.

Gough joined the council in 2010 as a fresh-faced 25-year-old, representing the Fendalton/Waimairi ward, three years after being elected to the local community board.

Four months later, the February 22 earthquake hit and Gough and other councillors found themselves at the centre of helping the city rebuild - something he said probably gave him reason to stay on the council for so long.

“At each election cycle, a part of me was always attracted to the private sector and property, but I felt the work was not quite done yet.”

But Gough, who at times was touted as a potential mayoral candidate, said this week that he felt the time was now right for his next chapter.

Bob Parker, far right, was the first mayor Gough worked with. They are pictured here in 2013 at a council planning meeting.

However, he is not stepping away from council life completely. He still wants to be on the Waimāero Fendalton Waimairi Harewood Community Board and will run for one of two Fendalton seats.

“For me, the hunger is still there, and the passion for the city. Stepping away completely would not feel right to me.”

Those two community board seats have been held by David Cartwright and Bridget Williams for a number of years.

Williams plans to stand again and Cartwright will now step up and run for Gough’s ward seat on the council, under the Independent Citizens banner.

Gough has endorsed Cartwright, saying he brings “stability, a strong understanding of local government and business, and a deep connection to our community”.

James Gough and his father Tracy Gough share their memories as they wander through the newly reopened Mona Vale Homestead in 2016.

Gough’s announcement comes two days before nominations close. When asked if this was a deliberate move to give anyone else thinking about standing in his absence minimal time to put a nomination in, Gough said there was no conspiracy around the timing.

He said he had to pick a time that felt right, and that it would have been premature to announce it a month ago.

He was only ever elected unopposed once, in 2016, and said he would be surprised if no-one else intended to put their hand up this time.

Gough said he was proud to have played a role in many initiatives, including a rebate scheme to encourage inner-city housing and a policy to deal with derelict sites considered a barrier to the city’s regeneration, known as the Dirty 30.

He was a big supporter of securing a 30,000-seat capacity for the stadium, the development of Hagley Oval, and the restoration of Mona Vale.

Gough, who has three children aged 7, 6 and 4, with wife Jasmine, effectively grew up around the council table, and there have been a few hiccups along the way.

In 2015, he stood down as chairman of the council’s event management company, then called VBase, after being ejected from a charity ball for being drunk.

A fresh-faced, 22-year-old James Gough successfully stood for the community board in 2007. He was elected to the council three years later.

He told The Press the incident “gave me a sharp upper-cut I needed”.

“Not all lessons are easy ones - especially when you’re younger and in the public eye - but I took responsibility, learned, and grew from it,” said Gough.

He was also recently criticised for not yet donating his directors’ fees to the Mayor’s Welfare Fund, as per council policy.

Gough said at the time that he intended to donate the money at the end of the council term to avoid “repeated and unnecessary administrative costs” relating to tax issues.

He said this week that his stance had not changed and he would be donating the money at the end of the term.

“I do what I say I’m going to do.”

When asked if he had any regrets about his time on the council, Gough said he did not.

“It’s all part of the rich tapestry of life - the mistakes and all. You live and you learn. I’ve loved every moment of being a city councillor. It’s a tremendous honour to represent the city that you love and contribute to it in a meaningful way.”

Is it possible he will be back in 2028, with the mayoralty in his sights?

“Never say never.”