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Councillor Samuel Wilshire - Selwyn District Council

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Councillor Samuel Wilshire - Selwyn District Council

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Councillor Samuel Wilshire - Selwyn District Council, 2 Norman Kirk Drive, Rolleston.

30/07/2026

Thank you Selwyn for your participation, we’ve put you through a lot of surveys, consultations and engagement recently and you’ve done your part in record breaking numbers! 🥳

As your at large councillor it was an easy decision for me, to follow the wishes of my employers YOU!

The process was rushed, questionable in its legality and in my opinion a distraction tactic. I supported the reduction of Ecan but I’m cautious of its total removal, then came the amalgamation debate, only the outcome was suggested not the way to get there, how planning would be paid for, advantages or disadvantages just a knee jerk reaction to a problem mostly caused by policy and statutory requirements imposed on local government by central.

As we progress forward I want to commend SOME of our neighbours for being forthcoming with information Waimakariri, Hurunui and Ashburton have openly engaged, shared in the conversation and fostered relationships to navigate this process smoothly in the short and frankly irresponsible timeframe given.

There’s one neighbour I haven’t mentioned, some members of that council have been great while others have thrown pop shots and cheap comments while making claims we are merely a suburb of their empire.

Claims that Selwyn ratepayers were a burden, we were small and insignificant, yet many still stood steadfast in their want to absorb us? Not to represent, not to empower our residents or strengthen our rural communities that feed the nation, just use our finance and rates as a float.

It only takes a short trip round the boundary to see our value in their eyes, quarries prisons and other processing plants Chch don’t want to upset their residents with.

In every relationship there is compromise, give and take, openness and transparency.
This process has shown some want a blind date and an arranged marriage after dessert.

We’ve been told by government our communities will shape their own future with Head start, I’m looking forward to see them follow through on this.

Ecan councillors have been open and engaging while knowing they’re the Turkey helping plan for thanks giving dinner, not a pleasant experience for anyone but they have undertaken this with mana and respect. 🫡

I would finally like to thank our SDC staff, not only have they published a annual plan, reduced the borrowing from $315 million to $225 million and $37 million cash on hand, started the long term plan, continued business as usual but also navigated this head start process with a strong emphasis on educating our residents to make a informed and knowledgeable decision.

Stay classy Selwyn, it’s an honour to represent the best district, not only in Canterbury but the whole of NZ

Check out the link in the comments!

23/07/2026

We asked for “60 seconds for Selwyn” nearly 7,000 people obliged, which was awesome, thank you!

I ask of you now for just another 10 seconds to state your preferred option for the head start proposal (amalgamation with other councils).

Link is in the comments.

See comparisons of neighbouring councils financially in images.

To clarify Selwyn’s debt was compared at $315 million in these graphs, not the true figure of $225 million which it is today.

10/07/2026

-6 this morning 🥶
Makes me really appreciate a logfire and a warm cup of coffee.

But what about those without even the basics?
What about those without even a roof over their heads, out in the elements.

That’s why I’m doing the Big Sleep Out, to bring visibility to homelessness, although some might like to ignore or look the other way, my heart bleeds for those sleeping rough.

Look outside today and think how would you feel knowing a loved one was sleeping rough, or yourself.

To help raise money and raise awareness please 🙏 donate.

Huge thanks to all those who have already donated, your generosity will give me the strength to stick it out on the coldest night of the year! 🥰

"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members."

Link below in the comments

30/06/2026

Good evening, Selwyn.

Today, councillors voted unanimously to adopt the Annual Plan, with an average rates increase of 4.5%.

This is lower than the 4.9% that was consulted on, following feedback from the majority of submitters.

Through further savings and cost-cutting, we're pleased to deliver this lower than originally estimated increase.

For properties without water services (drinking water and wastewater) the average rates increase will be 4.5%.

For properties with drinking water and wastewater services, when the 18% increase from Selwyn Water (down from the estimated 24%) is included, the combined weighted increase will be around 8.8%.

For comparison, the Long-Term Plan projected a 13.3% rates increase for this year's Annual Plan.

Council also voted unanimously today to proceed with the new Deed of Licence for the Upper Selwyn Huts. This has been a long process and represents an important step in rebuilding trust that was previously eroded through no fault of the Huttys.

I'd like to apologise to everyone from the Upper Selwyn Huts who was treated so poorly in the past. The financial, emotional, and physical stress caused by those previous actions must have been immense.

We've also spent the afternoon working on the Long-Term Plan, continuing to focus on our priorities and setting the direction needed to keep the momentum going.

It's a big week, but it's a good thing we're all passionate about what we do. 😉

Keep warm, take care on the frosty roads, and don't forget to spay or neuter your pets!

Stay awesome, Selwyn, and have a lovely evening.
🫶

21/06/2026

Last chance everyone!
60 seconds for Selwyn closes this evening at midnight, we need your help to decide on Selwyn’s future.

Jump on and make your voices heard

Extra points if you can name the photo bomber in the background 😅😉

Oh we do have fun, such fun!

19/06/2026

Hello Selwyn and Christchurch.

To increase visibility and raise money while gaining perspective for those struggling with even a place to call home, let alone the day-to-day costs of living, I will be sleeping rough on the coldest night of the year.

I am honoured to participate in “The Big Sleepout 2026” hosted by the Christchurch Methodist Mission.

I will be sleeping through the night on only cardboard in central Christchurch to raise money for those sleeping rough every night.

Sadly, even when Christchurch and Selwyn have seen an increase in GDP, those of our community who fall through the cracks appear to be increasing.

Christchurch recently has between 250-300 people who are currently homeless, and the number continues to climb.

Please feel free to share this post, donate, or even offer some support. For those less inclined to donate money, I will be collecting non-perishable food items closer to the time also.

Let’s work together to make the cost of living a little less costly to our community, neighbours, and those doing it tough.

Links to make a donation are in the comments. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

13/06/2026

I thought this reply about debt that CCC hold would be of interest to Selwyn

The response was about a 10 million dollar increase in rates revenue to pay off existing debt Christchurch holds.

“it’s a start towards the $2,650,300,000 or in words for simple terms

Two billion, six hundred and fifty million and three hundred thousand dollars

As declared in the LGFA investor prospectus of May 2026

To put that in context if Chch was to pay off 1 million a year it would take them 2,650.3 years.

Or at 10 million a year 265.03 years 😂😂😂

Might need an additional revenue stream mate 😅”

What’s cool about this, Selwyn’s actually lowered its debt from the previous report 30th of November $315.9 million down to $285.5 million in May.

We are on track to reduce this even further down to $225 million by the end of July.

All while the delivering the same service, refunding rate payers $4.7 million of their last years rates bills and reducing operating expenses by $9.2 million.

We are

Stopping the spend and starting the mend 😉

10/06/2026

Hello Selwyn Ratepayers

As you may or may not be aware, Selwyn District Council is currently running a survey called
“60 seconds for Selwyn”
This survey consists of 6 questions regarding the governments rushed and pushed plan to amalgamate local councils.

We have been told the what and the why but provided no funding, context or real direction.

The request from government is that local councils present a proposal to join with other councils as part of the “head start process”

You may have seen a lot of narrative from our neighbouring councillors from Christchurch City Council, so I thought I’d provide some valuable context regarding the financial positions of SDC and CCC.

We carry significantly less debt, have a strong financial position and our debt burden to ratepayers per household is significantly lower when compared to CCC.

This is significant when discussing amalgamation, as I see it personally, we would carry the burden of Christchurch’s nice to haves, all while this new council was elected to live within its means and deliver better outcomes more cost effectively ensuring cost affordability and core services, not only because you the ratepayers our bosses asked us to but because it was also requested by central government.

Debt per household
•Christchurch $27,308.42
•Selwyn $9,808.81

Interest on debt per household per year.
•Christchurch $817.44
•Selwyn $363.86

Debt percentage of rates revenue
•Christchurch 602%
•Selwyn 256%

Assets per household held
•Christchurch $141,147.22
•Selwyn $112,436.51

Direct operational expenses per household
•Christchurch $10,959.95
•Selwyn $7,040.17

Context is important, we need to present the facts without fiction.

Selwyn has a strong and proud rural history I fear this will be eroded with amalgamation.

Please note above figures have not accounted for the work that has been done recently to reduce SDC debt, at the end of June SDC debt will be $230 million not $300 million as calculated or $315 million as stated by the LGFA. So this debt burden per household today would calculate better for Selwyn households.

Let’s continue to
Stop the spend and start the mend

Please see graphs and link in the comments to 60 seconds for Selwyn.

05/06/2026

I’ve been a little slack I’m sorry team with the weekly updates.
So here’s my May, life as a at large councillor for Selwyn 😉

· CHET Field Trip ⛰️
· Coalgate Planting day 🌳
· Events discussion 🎊
· Rolleston Residents Association 🖊️
· Audit and Risk Meeting 📝
· Health Talk with Nicola Grigg 🏥
· Health talk with Health NZ 🚑
· Meeting with Mayor 👩‍⚖️
· CRCR Darfield 🚜
· Meeting with Mayor and CE 👩‍⚖️👨🏽‍⚖️
· Submissions Hearing Day 1 👂
· Submissions Hearing Day 2 👂
· West Melton Planting Day 🪴
· CRCR Rolleston with SWL 🚿
· CHET Tuna capture and release 🐟
· Information Evening Bangor Rd Subdivision 🏘️
· Council Meeting / Deliberations Day 1 🤝
· CPW Joint Settlers Meeting 💦
· Deliberations Day 2 🤝
· Infrastructure Portfolio Catch Up 🌉
· 9am - 10 am CHET Strategy Meeting 🏔️
· Sheffield Hall Meeting 🏠
· 11:45 - 1pm Continue CHET Strategy meeting ⛰️
· HQ Meeting - Alex from SWL + Tour of Pines WWTP 🚽
· Selwyn Water Limited meeting at Upper Selwyn Huts 🛖
· Rolleston Residents association 👩‍💻
· Prebbleton Community Association 👨🏻‍💻
· Council meeting 📥
· Malvern Community Board meeting 🌾
· Selwyn Water Limited Meeting Darfield 💦
· Meeting with John Very and Kura Tāwhiti 👥
· Ellesmere Heritage Park opening 🚂

Commute if average speed was 50kph would be around 23 hours last month

On top of all that, still managed to go to Auckland with my son, spend time with my brother and family and smile with my dog!

There’s a lot going on for us at the moment, working on the long term plan, preparing for the RMA, navigation of the head start process with no real road map, met with Ashburton district council, collaborative chats with Huranui and Waimakariri and numerous discussions with the media.

All while working for you and your best interests answering your questions or providing feedback for Selwyn as a whole.

Although it’s a lot, I’m loving every second of it and would like to thank everyone for their support, encouragement positive and even negative feedback, it all goes towards shaping the community we all love to live in!

As always let’s continue to
Stop the spend and start the mend

Feel free to email me or call

[email protected]
027 300 4180

03/06/2026

Without Selwyn and Waimakariri Christchurch residents would be hungry, sober and naked!

We are New Zealand’s bread basket, we house, water and entertain your work force Sam.

Here’s our contributions through tax champ

One NZ Stadium Te Kaha $230m

Christchurch Cathedral $25m

Canterbury Museum & Robert McDougall Gallery $24.5m

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre $10m

The Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor $340m

Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre $353m

Horizontal Infrastructure (Pipes, roads, and water networks) $1.8b

CBD Anchor Projects (Stadium, Metro Sports, Bus Interchange) $1.1b

Besides chucking sewerage into the sea as a option for disposal what’s the advantage of being apart of Christchurch City Council?

Now compare this to what has been co-funded in Selwyn District Council I can save you the trouble, besides co-funding roading projects zip, zero, nada!

Amalgamation or disintegration?

Address

2 Norman Kirk Drive
Rolleston
7614

Telephone

+64211724792

Website

facebook.com

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