ECan chairman Craig Pauling to stand down

Friday, 1 August 2025

Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairman Craig Pauling will not stand again at this year’s election in October, and is not ruling out further political ambitions.

Pauling has been a regional councillor for the Christchurch West/Ōpuha ward since 2019. He has served as chairman since October last year.

He came to ECan with a background in resource management, and had worked as an environmental consultant. He is of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga and European descent.

Pauling announced on Friday morning he had made the decision not to seek re-election after much thought and discussion with whānau. He said it had been an honour to serve his home community, and was proud of ECan’s achievements over the last two terms.

“This isn’t a decision I have taken lightly, and while I am looking forward to having some more time with my whānau, it is time for me to get back into the environmental project work within my community that is my passion, and in doing so continuing to drive positive outcomes for local ecological restoration,” he said in a Facebook post.

Pauling confimed to The Press he has been asked by parties, including the Green Party, to stand in next year’s parliamentary elections.

He said once his term at ECan finished he would focus on working on some local projects “while still keeping my options open” in regard to politics.

“In the meantime, until the end of my term, I want to focus on government reforms. I’ve still got a bit of energy and time to govern.”