James gough

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCILLOR

James is a fourth term City Councillor representing the Fendalton Ward. He brings a strong business background in asset management, property, and corporate governance. 

James is co-chair, with the Mayor, of the Christchurch Momentum Committee, chair of the Central City Momentum Working Group, chair of the Health, Safety & Wellbeing committee, and a member of the Chief Executive Performance & Employment committee.

He is a director of various companies including the city’s $4.8b commercial arm, Christchurch City Holdings Ltd, The Terrace Christchurch Ltd, Medical Kiwi Ltd, Gough Property Corporation Ltd, and is chair of Civic Building Ltd, the council’s JV property company with Ngāi Tahu Holdings Ltd.

James has held several former board appointments including serving as a board member of the Canterbury District Health Board, a former director of Countrywide Residential Ltd, Canterbury Development Corporation Ltd, and was former chair of Venues Ōtautahi Ltd. 

He was also a director of Gough Group Ltd, a large privately held heavy machinery and transport company, founded by his great-grandfather Tracy Thomas Gough in Christchurch in 1929. Employing approximately 1,000 people across 50 locations in New Zealand and Australia, it held, among other global brands, the Caterpillar dealership for New Zealand.

James is married to wife Jasmine, and they have three young children together. When not spending time with family and friends, he enjoys food, film, travel, and sport.

With a business lens and a people focus, James is committed to positively contributing to Christchurch’s future.

He has served on the local community board since 2007 and has been involved with a number of local charities at fundraising and/or committee level, including Keep Christchurch Beautiful Inc, the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust, the Diabetes Research Institute Trust, the Maclean Institute Trust, and the Canterbury Earthquake Children’s Trust.

bridget williams

COMMUNITY BOARD CHAIR

“Together we can nurture fresh development, respect tradition while embracing community compassion.”

Bridget has lived in Christchurch all her life and is a fifth generation Cantabrian.

This is her third term on the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board. After her work as President of the Student Volunteer Army, it was a natural step to apply her passion and commitment to the community by standing for the Community Board.

Bridget brings a mix of experience and enthusiasm, along with a legal background to the Board to continue making a positive change where it counts whether it's maximising creativity, encouraging local talent, or pushing your values into action.

Being one of the younger representatives she brings a youthful perspective complimented by three previous terms on the Board and her local knowledge.

David Cartwright

COMMUNITY BOARD DEPUTY CHAIR

This is David’s third term as a Fendalton Ward Community Board representative. He is the current Chair of the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board.

David is committed to his local community and those who live in it. The next few years will continue to be important for the development of Christchurch, and a strong community voice is needed to ensure we make the most of every opportunity.

He wants to see a straightforward and common-sense approach to the governance of Christchurch, with clear and open communication between all stakeholders. He believes we need to be able to do more with less

His background is in hospitality and general management and as a father of two teenage boys, he wants to see the best for our city now and in the future.

David’s community involvements combined with his other governance roles provides him with the opportunity to talk with people from a variety of organisations and interest groups; providing a broad perspective on what is happening across our city, and a sound base from which to advocate on different issues.