A current Community Board member, Beth Dunn believes great communities

grow from good communication, meaningful relationships and strong partnerships. Beth is passionate

about promoting an ethnically rich and dynamic community. During her time on the Community

Board, she’s listened to, consulted with and advocated for a wide range of individuals and groups.

Her goal is ensuring residents have the opportunity to live in a desirable and safe community.

Beth has been married for 26 years to Jim and has two adult children, Sian & Adam. She holds a

Bachelor Education degree, is Charters Manager at Southern DC3 Charitable Trust and has been provisionally accepted to become  a Justice of the Peace - pending her induction training.

Her solid governance experience includes Chair of Riccarton High School Board of Trustees and Trustee

of Riccarton House and Bush Trust.

Beth’s focus is sound decision-making that allows rapid, future growth and infrastructure that is planned

efficiently and sustainably.

Contact Beth on 342 3055.

Top 5 Issues

1. Retaining rates at responsible levels.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Protection of the city’s pure water and open spaces.
3. Ensuring communication and collaboration with residents.
4. High standards for roading and other infrastructure.
5. Sound management of growth in our community.

Personal Profile

I am often asked, why I became involved in local body politics and my answer is simple - I wanted to give my skills, knowledge, governance experience and passion, back to the community which has given me and my family, so much.

The current UK Prime Minister (when speaking to British troops in Afghanistan) said " What you do for yourself is buried with you. What you do for others lives on" - that is where I am coming from.

I have also been asked, if my next step will be central government and again my answer is simple - No! I am focussed on and committed to, effecting change at a local level.

When asked why I joined Independent Citizens, I explain that I wanted to be part of a group who were strong and experienced, so that I could learn from them and they are very generous in their support. I also wanted to be part of a group, that wouldn't tell me how to vote on an issue! We are a group of independents who vote with our hearts and our heads and sometimes.... opposite to each other. W e have no local or national political party affiliation.

We prize and strongly protect our independence. We want to make sure that Christchurch's local aithority is driven by best practice, fairness and fiscal prudence.

Independent Citizens also believe in transparent decision making and environmental sustainability - again personal values of mine.

We are committed to:

basic council services

retaining rates at responsible levels

high standards of roading and infrastructure

sound management of growth in our community

protection of the city's pure water and open spaces

Please check out our webiste at www.Icitz.org.nz - Please keep scrolling down!!

I have always had a very strong sense of "citizenship" and have involved myself in many organisations ever since high school. My leadership and governance experience have been accumulated on many Play Centre, Parents Centre, Kindergarten, Primary School, Resdidents Associations (in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch)and the most recent at Riccarton High School, where I was the Chairperson of the Board for 4 of the 6 years I was a Board member.

Prior to moving to Christchurch in January 2000, I was Chairperson of the Anger Change Trust Board in Auckland for 3 years. This was the very first term for the Trust Board, so the learning curve was steep - to say the least! The same could be said, for the Riccarton High School Board Chairperson role, which I thoroughly enjoyed and grew from as a Board member.

Over the last 3 years, I have really valued being a Board member of the Riccarton House and Bush Trust Board, working to ensure this iconic part of Christchurch is preserved for future generations to enjoy and respect. 

I believe in the importance of community consultation - particularly in a ward with over 64,000 residents from very different communities. This diversity is always at the forefront of my representation and decision making on the Community Board.

I know that as an elected member, I am accountable to my community and I commit to providing prompt responses and information in response their concerns.