On Saturday 30 August, DPA Christchurch, The Deaf Society and the Waitahi EGL Regional Leadership Group (Disabled Core Group) hosted a community kōrero with mayoral candidates Phil Mauger and Sara Templeton at the Multicultural Recreation and Community Centre.

The forum focused on key issues for disabled people in Ōtautahi: accessibility, transport, housing and disability representation. Both candidates outlined their priorities and responded to questions from the floor. Audience members spoke about their lived experience and raised concerns about barriers that remain in our city.

The kōrero gave candidates the opportunity to hear directly from the disabled community, while participants could compare the approaches each candidate would take if elected. The discussion was respectful and practical, emphasising changes needed to build a more inclusive city.

Candidate Introductions

Sara Templeton has 15 years of experience working with a diverse city she cares deeply about. First elected to the Community Board in Ferrymead-Heathcote in 2013, she focused on ensuring all were included in post-earthquake rebuilds. She is proud of delivering results while standing up for communities and the environment.

Her goal is a liveable, accessible and resilient city for all. Noting that 20% of Ōtautahi residents have no driving licence, she emphasises the importance of public transport. Everyday actions make a difference: yellow lines allow buses to park parallel to stops, and library fines were recently removed to improve access. Looking ahead, Sara advocates for a healthy environment, clean water, lower emissions, widespread native planting, and inclusive decision-making on climate change.

For more information: www.saratempleton.nz

Phil Mauger has served on Council for six years, including the last three as Mayor. He enjoys speaking with city residents, which he says is the most rewarding part of his role. He emphasises the importance of listening, and noted that Council has a role in transport (bus stops etc.) and housing through the Ōtautahi Christchurch Housing Trust, whose model he believes could be applied more broadly in New Zealand. Relationships help turn ideas into concrete outcome, and he likes getting things done.

Phil shared his lived experience of urban inaccessibility: around ten years ago, after breaking bones in an accident, he used a wheelchair for a time and noticed uneven footpaths and people directing questions to the person pushing the chair rather than the user. He also has hearing loss from a childhood accident, and has a niece whose cochlear implant he describes as life-changing. His accident was a turning point; he left the family business and entered local government.

For more information: Phil Mauger For Mayor

Key Issues and Candidate Positions

Representation and Voice

  • Sara: While a Disability Advisory Group exists, there is no current Council Accessibility Committee. She plans to re-establish one so disabled people can speak directly to councillors.
  • Phil: Council has a portfolio system with an Accessibility Coordinator applying an accessibility lens to projects. He encourages people to meet their local councillor to discuss concerns.

Accessibility in Public Places

  • Sara: Helped establish an Accessibility Fund so staff can secure funding to make places accessible, where no other provision exists.
  • Phil: Emphasised simpler, consistent design and the integration of Te Tiriti processes across Council. Noted issues such as footpaths lifted by tree roots; the Roving Footpath Crew now repairs problems in a wider area once on site. Invited practical suggestions, such as leaving 2.5m extra space for mobility vans.

Transport

  • Sara: Advocates systematic accessibility checks rather than Council relying on complaints. Noted a Brookhaven bus stop that cannot be used by mobility-device users due to lack of a cutdown. Accessibility improvements must be built to be used.
  • Phil: Supports standardised bus stop design, installation of stockpiled pre-built bus shelters, and bus/T2 lanes in suitable locations.

Housing

  • Sara: Housing is a human right; 17% of residents are disabled, and a quarter have access needs. She is discussing with developers how without changing housing density, two-storey townhouses can be redesigned so one flat is upstairs and another accessible flat is on the ground floor, instead of two townhouses side by side, both inaccessible (bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs). She supports the Ōtautahi Housing Trust and wants incentives for accessible private builds.
  • Phil: Highlighted pre-earthquake uninsulated housing stock issues. Supports leasing land (e.g., Red Zone) to the Ōtautahi Housing Trust while people buy the house, encouraging home ownership.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

  • Sara: Strong connections with iwi; enabled zoning changes for rūnanga to build housing on their land.
  • Phil: Trustee of the Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae in Pages Road; supports whānau with housing, driver licensing, and IRD registration.

Engagement with Disabled Communities

  • Sara: Committed to attending meetings in community spaces and re-establishing the Accessibility Committee.
  • Phil: Suggests one or two dedicated forums each year to bring Mayor and councillors face-to-face with the disabled community.

Working with Central Government

  • Sara: The Mayor has a leadership role to champion Ōtautahi, needing relationships across a broad range of ministers.
  • Phil: Relationships are key; he has good connections with ministers, who appreciate meetings on their home ground.

Q and A Highlights

Several questions focused on housing design and infrastructure basics.

  1. Old cutdowns: Can redundant cutdowns (e.g., St John’s Hospital) be removed?
  • Sara: Developers creating new accessways should ensure old ones are repaired.
  • Phil: Removal can be included in consent conditions.
  1. Accessible housing: Manchester Square has 102 units, none accessible. How was consent granted?
  • Sara: Council can advocate and incentivise accessible builds but cannot require them.
  • Phil: Agrees; pressure can be applied but not mandated.
  1. Conflicting accessibility needs in public spaces: Removal of benches deters both homeless and disabled users.
  • Sara: Bus shelters now built from ground up to avoid low-vision hazards; reinstating Accessibility Committee will help.
  • Phil: New Council housing is now smaller scale and includes shared spaces like basketball hoops and BBQs, to make it a better place to live.
  1. Two-storey homes: Many new townhouses have bedrooms upstairs.
  • Sara: Problematic; calls for single-level homes from the Ōtautahi Housing Trust.
  • Phil: Supports projects in Red Zone; attending homelessness meetings for solutions.
  1. Education and services: Only one day of Architecture degree covers disability; free shuttle and libraries need attention.
  • Sara and Phil: Will meet questioner afterwards.

Others raised concerns about daily navigation — from roadworks to scooters and safety for Deaf residents.

  1. Roadworks: Inaccessible for pedestrians.
  • Phil: Cones and repairs necessary; some renewal delays unavoidable.
  • Sara: Footpath disruption is harder than for drivers; stronger enforcement needed of rules for keeping footpaths accessible, and no leaving gravel behind!
  1. Deaf community and scooters: Flashing fire alarms, painted lanes.
  • Sara: Separate infrastructure for safe pedestrian movement; non-physical accessibility issues need attention.
  • Phil: Solar-powered cameras, smoke alarms, and examples of Deaf employees illustrate broader solutions.
  1. Learning disability internships: Can they be funded again?
  • Sara: Council offers internships; scope for more.
  • Phil: Praises Kilmarnock Enterprises (but shocked to hear some disabled workers there paid only $2 an hour; emphasises Living Wage compliance).
  1. Scooters: Unsafe on footpaths.
  • Sara and Phil: Companies must ensure enough walking space; penalties for breaches.
  1. Accessibility in New Brighton/East:
  • Phil: Infrastructure improvements post-earthquakes; future services will follow population growth.
  • Sara: Marine Parade and City to Sea pathway improved; systematic checks still needed.

The session ended strongly with recognition of library staff pay equity and practical suggestions for library accessibility.

  1. Total Mobility Cuts:
  • Sara: Advocacy for Central Government needed; Total Mobility fills transport gaps.
  • Phil: Recommends forums “like this” every 4–5 months; Council can provide meeting space free.
  1. Library accessibility and pay equity:
  • Acknowledgement: Council ensured fair pay for library staff despite central government cancelling pay equity claims, applying the Living Wage. DVD charges remain a barrier; library staff could assist people filling forms.
  • Sara: Supports maintaining open hours and staffing.
  • Phil: Highlights South Library rebuild as a true community meeting place.

Top 3 Accessibility Commitments from Each Candidate

Here are the top three accessibility commitments each candidate highlighted during the forum:

Sara Templeton:

  1. Re-establish the Accessibility Committee
  2. Systematic checks of public transport and built environment
  3. Incentivise accessible housing design

Phil Mauger:

  1. Maintain accessibility lens in Council projects through existing portfolio
  2. Maintain footpaths with Roving Footpath Crew empowered to do repairs nearby jobs they are sent to
  3. Hold regular face-to-face forums “like this” between Councillors and the disabled community

The kōrero was a valuable opportunity for candidates to hear directly from the disabled community, and for participants to see how each would champion accessibility, transport, housing, and representation in Ōtautahi. DPA Christchurch looks forward to continuing these conversations and ensuring disabled voices remain central to decision-making about accessibility.