A hard-working, fresh and energetic Councillor, Yani showed in his first term that he’s not afraid to get in the ring to fight for charity, or for you, keeping Council honest, accountable and transparent.  His voting record shows he stood up for local residents on important issues like returning rubbish bins to local parks, while voting against excessive spending on the School of Music at the Arts Centre, the $17 million central city property buy-up, the unjust 24% city housing rent increase, and cuts to community funding.  Appointed to the Garden City Trust, Christchurch Heritage Trust, Nga Hau E Wha Marae Trust, and Keep Christchurch Beautiful, Cr Johanson is dedicated and committed to public service.  His priorities and vision for a better place to live include improving city and transport planning, supporting cycling and pedestrian safety, protecting water, enhancing the natural environment, helping local business, and ensuring open decision making.

 

 

Top 5 Issues

1. To restore and rebuild a safer and stronger city that is full of beauty, character & vibrancy. Decisions and planning that have people and communities at their heart in an open, transparent & democratic manner.
2. Canterbury water is a precious resource.
   I believe it must be safe-guarded in public ownership for the good of the city.
   I am committed to protecting our water quality and supply.
   I support an urgent return to a democratically elected ECAN.
3. The loss of a social consience. The Council has cut approx $30million dollars of community funding over the next 10 years and this is having a negative impact on the well being of our most vulnerable. I pledge to vote to restore that funding.
4. Improved city and transport planning. Too much development has been given the green light without a holistic look at whether our streets can cope. We don't want traffic lights on every corner and a snails pace of getting to and from work.
5. Better protection of character and heritage in our central city and in suburbs. Special amenity areas are under threat and there has been a real lack of progress.

Personal Profile

The youngest current city councillor at 35 years old, I am totally dedicated and committed to fighting for the values of openness, transparency and democracy around the Council.  It hasn’t been an easy first term, yet I have been prepared to keep getting back up when knocked down on issues that are important to my community (and not just in the boxing ring raising money for charity either!).

I have strongly fought against

• the cuts to community funding
• the reduction in walking/cycling budgets,
• the shameful 24% rent increases for City Housing tenants
• property developer bailouts
• CEO excessive pay increases
• the PD Centre in Ensors Rd
• the dismissal of an elected ECAN
• the secrecy around Council decision making

I have been active in getting Council to start fixing the city plan on areas such as heritage protection, high standards of urban design, and better notification procedures.  

I have managed to get Council to agree to fund an early warning tsunami siren system at long last. 

I will continue to campaign for:

• an aquatic facility in the eastern suburbs
• more strategic transport/traffic planning
• for improved cycle and pedestrian safety initiatives
• greater protection of our natural environment and of our water quality
• audio recording and web streaming of council meetings
• a return to standing committes for finance, environment, and major projects for council

I am as determined as ever to stand up for the needs of the people and the city that I have had the priviledge of representing.