Councillor Samuel Wilshire - Selwyn District Council

15/08/2026

It’s now been 48 hours since the big sleepout, I got two hours sleep on the night but made up for it with 15 hours sleep last night.

I’d like to thank the organisers for the event, the volunteers, the sponsors, participants, those who made the soup and rolls, and bacon buttys and all those beautiful people who donated.
One night sleeping on the concrete floor of the stadium is in no way a reflection of what those sleeping rough every night go through, but it gave me and other participants an opportunity to speak with the individuals and organisations that are doing the heavy lifting supporting those sleeping rough and enduring hardship everyday.

Significantly more work needs to be done in this space, with move on orders and evictions proceeding in Christchurch displacement will be to surrounding councils like Selwyn and Waimakariri.

Already we have been notified the ministry of justice is releasing people with their address being our local reserves and freedom camping grounds.

I would like to again thank those who donated or supported this event and demonstrated to me and others even a tiny glimpse of the struggles they endure daily.

Thank you Housing First Ōtautahi Christchurch Methodist Mission for the valued conversations and perspective I was lacking before attending, your work isn’t only saving lives it’s changing them for the better.

Great to see Andrei Moore - Councillor for Halswell Nathaniel Herz Jardine - Councillor for Heathcote Ward Christchurch and many others taking part!

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

Tonight’s the night of the big sleep out.

Luckily it’s not going to be a cold one, not just for Sarah and I but for these two little sweethearts 🐑🐏❤️

For those less farming inclined, no, lambs in winter aren’t ideal 😅 but they are very cute!

Nature finds a way and fences couldn’t keep him at bay 🤦🤪

12/08/2026

Would anyone have a cardboard fridge box I could have please? Would need it before 4pm tomorrow 🙂

12/08/2026

This is a Selwyn appreciation post!

A huge thank you to all those who have donated, offered support or words of encouragement for myself and Selwyn in Focus - Cr Sarah Barnsley who are participating in the Big Sleep Out South.

This time Tomorrow we will both be sleeping outside our comfort zones in support of Christchurch’s homeless community.

I’m bowled over with the support and donations from our friends and community.

THANK YOU SELWYN! Your kindness is empowering and inspiring.

If you would like to donate please follow the link on this (original post) comments for either myself or Sarah or anyone else for that matter, it all goes to a great cause and we collectively have raised over $100,000 dollars for the cause.

Thank you Selwyn, you really are a beautiful community!

11/08/2026

An interesting overview of where councils have landed in regards to their head-start proposals.

One thing it has shown through the whole process is that some Mayors and Councils are focusing on a dictatorship, and disregarding what their employers (the ratepayers) actually asked for.

I’m proud of Selwyn and the decisions made by council to follow direction from our community!

None of the amalgamated options showed cost benefits to ratepayers of Selwyn, increased representation or streamlined delivery.

The best option for my kids to grow and raise a family in Selwyn was the one we put forward 💪

Let’s keep the momentum and

06/08/2026

Great news!
Having visited the ED in town just parking alone was $10.

Healthcare shouldnt be only for those who can afford it!

Families in Rolleston and across the Selwyn district can now get urgent medical care in the evenings, at weekends and on public holidays without driving into Christchurch.
READ more below.

05/08/2026

He’s back on his Toll, high horse again 😂

I wonder if he realises the cost impact on the West Coast economy that tolls would have?

Should we toll each train carrying sewerage out of Bromley through Selwyn?

Happy to carry on using the state highways he can’t toll as we all pay for them.

There’s being a sore loser then there’s taking your ball and going home while in tears.

Take it on the chin champ, dust yourself off, and remember tomorrow is another day 😘

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!