Green Party Announces Craig Pauling As Candidate For Banks Peninsula Electorate

The Green Party is excited to announce Craig Pauling, former Chair of Environment Canterbury (Ecan), as its candidate for the Banks Peninsula electorate.

During his six years on Ecan, New Zealand’s largest regional council, Pauling played a key role in working through complex freshwater, biodiversity, transport, and climate challenges, but acknowledges it wasn’t enough and leadership at national level is critical. “I want to bring my practical, values-driven governance and experience to national politics, at a time when trust, delivery, and long-term thinking are urgently needed”.

“Banks Peninsula – Te Pātaka o Rakaihautū is a unique and special place, and I am standing because I know how to bring people together and how to deliver outcomes for both our people and our environment,” said Green Party candidate for Banks Peninsula Craig Pauling.

“I’ve spent my career working in contested regulatory spaces, balancing environmental limits, community needs, and economic realities, and I know we can do better than politics that talk past people instead of solving problems.”

Pauling was elected to Environment Canterbury in 2019 and served two terms, including as Chair from 2024 to 2025 – the first Māori to hold the role. He led a politically diverse council through significant resource management and local government change, earning a reputation as a steady, inclusive leader focused on evidence, partnership, and delivery. A father of three young adults, Pauling says his motivation is deeply personal — ensuring the next generation has real opportunities. Outside the council chamber, he competes in waka ama, works closely with his marae, and is actively involved in on-the-ground environmental restoration.

“Craig is a leader who combines kaupapa, competence, and calm,” said current Green Member of Parliament, and previous Banks Peninsula Candidate Lan Pham. “His experience in regional governance and his ability to bring people with him make him an outstanding candidate for Banks Peninsula and a strong voice for communities across Aotearoa.”

“I’m standing to help confront the significant challenges we are facing, both in Banks Peninsula, and across the country, and to contribute to enduring solutions for the way we protect and enhance our environment, structure local government and uphold Te Tiriti partnership” Pauling said.

“I stand to represent people who want politics to work for families, for communities, and for the environment. Future-focused decisions aren’t radical, they’re responsible. That means listening first, developing practical solutions, and always keeping future generations in mind.”

Craig Pauling (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga) is the former chair of Environment Canterbury, representing Ōpuna-Christchurch West from 2019-2025. Craig has sat on the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, Regional Transport, and Regional Water Committees, and knows the key role regional governors and manawhenua representatives play in these forums to ensure the environment and the community are at the table.