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Craig Pauling
New Zealand politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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Early life and education
Pauling 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
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Pauling 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 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] It was announced on 1 August 2025 that Pauling will not contest the 2025 local elections.[8]
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Personal life
Pauling is the father of three children.[1] Pauling is a national and international[9] waka ama (outrigger sea canoe) champion.[1]
Pauling can speak te reo Māori.[1]
References
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