Councillor Samuel Wilshire - Selwyn District Council

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?

02/06/2026

Today we had a meeting with Ashburton District Council.

Was great to hear thoughts and concerns and ideas moving forwards for the head start process for all of Canterbury.

What a amazing building, makes the Selwyn HQ feel like a high country hut in comparison (but after a long day tramping, the feel like a palace)

Good to know our thoughts are echoed by our neighbours, to fast, limited direction and all while there’s a lot going on for business as usual.

I would like to thank Ashburton District Council for hosting us for this constructive, productive and welcoming conversation.

And for the great driving madam mayor Lydia Gliddon - Mayor of Selwyn

31/05/2026

Hope you all have a smile this long weekend like me and my beautiful doggo!

While we enjoy this lovely night, let’s spare a few moments for the place we all love!

Please submit to these consultations

Selwyn water limited water services strategy, closes Monday the first of June.

Ecan transport survey “To bus or not to bus” 🚌 🚍 🚎 closes 11:59 pm on Wednesday the 24th of June.

Links in the comments

Very shortly we will be asking you to participate in a survey regarding amalgamation, “60 seconds for Selwyn” along with community halls engagement.

Keep an ear out and if not following go to my page and hit the follow button.

I know recently we’ve asked a lot of you but please, we have to make informed decisions based on your feedback! We were elected to represent our community, but we also need YOU to set the direction. My opinion is guided by my constituents, if you’re in Selwyn then you are one of my constituents.

If you have any trouble during the process please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Cr Samuel Wilshire

0273004180
[email protected]

27/05/2026

Great news for Malvern and Selwyn! Thank you to our MP’s for listening and supporting this 👏🤝🫶

A huge win for the Darfield and wider Malvern community with the reopening of Darfield Hospital!

Thank you to those who raised concerns with me which I was able to successfully advocate to the Minister of Health and Health NZ – Waitaha Canterbury.

The importance of local accessibility of health services is vital - especially with Darfield’s growing and aging population.

I look forward to hearing the outcome of HealthNZ’s review of healthcare services in the wider region later in the year. I will continue to work alongside both Health NZ and the community in finding lasting solutions that best fit the region’s needs.

Thank you to Minister Simeon Brown MP for taking action and to all of the community advocates who have championed the fight for keeping key health services local.

26/05/2026

We're here to listen to you, about the future of community halls.

We’re inviting communities to share what their local hall means to them, how it’s used today (and in the past), and what ideas they have for its future.

This stage is about listening, not making decisions. What we hear will help inform options considered through the Long‑Term Plan 2027–2037.

Community meetings and drop‑in sessions will be held for:

📌Greendale Hall
📌Greenpark Memorial Community Centre
📌Mead Community Hall
📌Sheffield Community Hall
📌Tawera Memorial Hall

Your local knowledge matters – we’d love to hear from you.

Link is in the comments

25/05/2026

Evening Selwyn

Do you have questions for Selwyn Water Limited?
Never attended a Rolleston Residents Association meeting before?

Pop down to the Rolleston Community Centre this evening at 7:30pm and get involved!
Ask the questions you want answered, join in on the conversation, help shape Rolleston’s future one meeting at a time!

I’ll see you there 😉

22/05/2026

As happy as a pig in…….. 💩

Another busy day working for you and your family!

Meeting with CHET this morning on strategic direction, followed by a meeting with the locals at the Sheffield hall, a couple of snap send solves, tour of the Pines waste water treatment plant with Selwyn Water staff and Corde, meeting at HQ and home to cuddle my dog and see if the kids recognise me 🤪

Great to see the future planning going into pines, and the systems already operating, biggest surprise, next to no smell at all, amazing to think this services 70k+ people and smells better than my septic at home.

Who would have thought a tour of such a facility would be so entertaining and enjoyable 😜

Happy international biodiversity day Selwyn