Traveling Man in a Van

12/02/2026

Safer and Quieter Roads. Just a quick update on our efforts started in September last year in fund raising for the camera…

Safer and Quieter Roads

Since our last update before Christmas, the community has raised $2,450. This is enough to fund one month of a mobile speed and noise monitoring camera and shows strong local support.

We’ve been working with Christchurch City Council on longer-term options, including a permanent Crime Prevention Network camera. These fixed cameras can provide enforceable data, but we are still waiting to confirm whether they can reliably measure both speed and noise. That capability is critical from Gebbies Valley, around Lyttelton Harbour, over Evans Pass and down into Sumner.

Where we are now

After outlining two possible paths and listening carefully to those who have already donated, we believe Option 1 is the best next step.

Option 1 (recommended)
Deploy a mobile speed and noise monitoring camera for one month in March (depending on camera availability).
Move it between two to four known hotspots.
Collect research-quality data on speeds and noise levels.
Share results with the community, Council, Police, NZTA and our Community Board, including to support a possible grant application.

This data is not directly enforceable, but it gives us credible evidence to show the scale of the problem, support stronger enforcement and permanent solutions, and importantly identify where the greatest issues of noise and speed actually are.

Option 2
Wait for full confirmation on the permanent camera’s technical capability.
Focus all funds on installing a single fixed camera that would be enforceable.

Why this matters

Noise and speeding are causing ongoing stress and safety concerns across our area. This summer the problem has clearly intensified, with burnout marks through Gebbies Valley and increasing reports of excessive noise and speed over Evans Pass and down into Sumner.

This issue is escalating, and we believe progress will only come if we continue working together as a community.

Next steps

We plan to proceed with Option 1 unless strong concerns are raised. We’ll keep everyone updated as the camera is deployed and as results start to come in.

Donations remain open for those who would like to help us go further.
Cass Bay Residents Association
02-0800-0721770-000
Reference Camera Donation
Please email [email protected] with your name and amount so it can be acknowledged.

Thank you for the continued support and please let us know what you think
The Safer and Quieter Roads team

Lyttelton Harbour Business Association Naval Point Club Lyttelton Charteris Bay Yacht Club Otago Daily Times The Press

11/10/2025

Election Result – Thank You
Well, the results are in and I didn’t get there this time. It’s a bit gutting after all the effort and energy that’s gone in, but I want to congratulate Tyrone Fields on his win and the strong support he’s had across Banks Peninsula.

To everyone who backed me, thank you — truly.
From those who helped with signs and flyers to everyone I met along the way, your encouragement, stories, and honesty meant the world.

This campaign took me right around the Peninsula from Akaroa to Wainui, Diamond Harbour, Little River, Lyttelton and everywhere between and reminded me just how special and resilient our communities are. Even when we don’t all see things the same way, we share a love for this place and a desire to make it better.

I’ll admit, it feels a bit empty now it’s over, but I’m proud of the campaign we ran, positive, local, and independent. And I’ll keep doing what I can to support the people and projects that make a difference here.
Thanks again,
Dave

10/10/2025

Busy day driving all over the Banks Peninsula removing signage before the deadline of midnight tonight. You can still vote up until midday tomorrow (Sat) by putting your voting paper in any of the Orange bins.

08/10/2025

Election campaign thank you and what a journey around Banks Peninsula.

Over the past few months, I’ve travelled right across our beautiful Banks Peninsula, from Lyttelton to Little River, Akaroa to Wainui, Governors Bay to Diamond Harbour and beyond. I know I’m biased, but I truly think this is the best part of New Zealand!

Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve been welcomed by friendly, genuine people who care deeply about their communities. Even when we’ve seen things differently, we’ve shared the same passion for our home and the same hopes for its future.

Across the peninsula, I’ve heard a lot of common themes:
* The need for better emergency management, especially in rural areas.
* Lower rates and less party politics in local government.
* Roads, culverts and maintenance that are proactive, not reactive.
* Better transport links for Governors Bay and Little River.
* A real desire for connection with Council, not feeling forgotten.

In Akaroa, people are concerned about the $200 million wastewater plan that hasn’t even broken ground yet and are keen to see tourism revitalised with new ideas like a year-round spa overlooking the harbour.
�In Cass Bay, there’s a real push for a community hall.�In Lyttelton, calls for a dog park are growing louder, alongside concerns about graffiti, parking, and keeping our young people active and involved.�In Diamond Harbour, I’ve heard how managing growth carefully is vital to maintaining the special character of the community.
And almost everywhere, people want boy racers dealt with once and for all.

We’re a big area, diverse, resilient, full of proud, capable people who get on with things and look out for one another. That’s what makes Banks Peninsula so special.

No matter what happens on election day, I’ve loved every minute of this journey meeting so many good people who share the same love for this stunning place we all call home.

06/10/2025

Today is the last day to post your voting papers. After today, you can drop your completed papers into one of the orange voting boxes around the city - you can do this up until midday on Saturday.

If you want an independent councillor who will work for you and not a political party, and also work hard to get our rates under control, please vote for me. If you have already, really appreciate your vote.

Find out more about where to vote and what you need to do here:

During local elections, you can vote for the Mayor, a ward councillor, community board members and members of the Regional Council.

04/10/2025

Akaroa: unlocking its potential

On a wet morning like this, it’s easy to daydream about Akaroa’s sunshine and what an incredible place it is.
The Press this morning highlights something I’ve heard from so many locals and business owners over the years: our town has huge tourism potential, but we need a steady, year-round flow of visitors. Right now, peaks and troughs make life unpredictable for local businesses.
As the article says, “Akaroa has huge potential for growth as it is still an undiscovered gem,” but we don’t want to be Queenstown, overrun by crowds and losing our unique charm.

Visitors to our glamping business at French Farm often tell us how much they love spending 2–3 days here, soaking up the peace, natural beauty, and history after long flights from busy cities overseas. It’s a reminder of what makes Banks Peninsula special.

The Saturday Press article really highlights the challenges and opportunities for Akaroa. Tourism expert Girish Prayag said, “Simplicity and slow tourism might just do that, if the experience is about sustainability, mindfulness, local immersion, and community connections. Quality over quantity is key.” That’s exactly the approach we should take, promoting Akaroa as a hidden gem, with unique experiences like marine life tours, boutique food and wine, stargazing, and exploring our rich history.

From what I hear from residents and locals, one of the biggest challenges isn’t just tourism, it’s having enough people here to maintain a healthy, thriving community. More families and workers mean stronger schools, more volunteers for community groups, and fresh energy to help sustain the activities and services that make Akaroa such a special place to live.
One resident at a recent emergency response meeting mentioned how the same few volunteers were always doing everything, and numbers are dropping as people age. Bringing more people into the area supports schools, community initiatives, and the volunteer spirit that keeps Akaroa alive.

The article also points out that “Akaroa is a multimillion-dollar asset in need of professional management,” and I couldn’t agree more.
If I am elected as your councillor, I will advocate strongly for better support and promotion from Christchurch City Council helping create sustainable, year-round tourism that supports our economy, community, and way of life.
We don’t want to be swamped like Queenstown, but we do want Akaroa to thrive, our schools and community groups to be strong, and visitors to leave with a genuine sense of wonder at our beautiful home.

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360832389/could-akaroa-be-next-queenstown

03/10/2025

Don’t Forget to Vote!
🗳 By Post
Put your completed papers in the postage-paid envelope and post them by 5pm Tuesday 7 October to make sure they arrive in time. Use any NZ Post or DX Mail postbox.
🗳 Hand Deliver
You can also drop your voting papers into the orange Vote Bins at:
Lyttelton Library
Diamond Harbour Library
Little River Library
Akaroa Library
Akaroa Service Hub (78 Rue Lavaud)
⏰ The vote bins close at 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025, make sure your papers are in before then or they won’t be counted.
Thanks if you’ve already voted and an even bigger thank you if you’ve given me your vote!

01/10/2025

Yesterday I spent some time in Akaroa, a wander through the township, dinner from the always-amazing butcher, and a stop at the fudge shop for their lime and coconut fudge (delicious as always, and open seven days a week — a real gem).
It was a beautiful sunny day, but overnight a southerly blew through and dropped snow on the hills around Banks Peninsula.

Yesterday I also put in a submission on the Government’s new Anti-Social Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill. At our Quieter and Safer Roads meeting last week, our local MP Dr Vanessa Weenink told us this legislation should be passed this year and in force within 12 months.

Our Quieter and Safer Roads Task Force focused our submission on what we all know are the biggest issues: noise and speed. And rather than just talking about the problem, we’re taking action to measure it properly.
With our planned two-month trial of cameras, we’ll be able to track number plates, monitor speed and noise, and capture video of cars losing traction. Moving the cameras across four key locations will give us solid evidence of when, where, and how this behaviour is happening.

While the cameras aren’t yet calibrated to NZ standards for fines (they’re approved to European standards), they can still provide video evidence of sustained loss of traction — footage we’ll pass on to Police for enforcement. The aim is simple: build a strong evidence base that Council, NZ Police, and NZTA can act on.

The first step is raising $4,300 to rent the cameras for the trial. Once we’ve reached that, the trial begins. It’s just the beginning, but it’s a practical move towards achieving what we all want: quieter and safer roads around Lyttelton Harbour and through Gebbies Valley.

I’ll share fundraising details soon. Thank you to everyone already backing this. Together, we can make a real difference.

29/09/2025

Big step forward for quieter, safer roads around Lyttelton Harbour.

Thanks to everyone who came along to last week’s public meeting, it was a fantastic turnout, and today our story made the front page of The Press!

Chris Lynch Media has also covered the launch of our community Task Force, and later today (just after 4pm) RNZ’s Checkpoint with Lisa Owen will feature an interview with Linda Perves from the Community Patrol. Linda is out on our harbour roads most nights and knows first-hand the impact of cars gathering, speeding, and the noise that keeps so many of us awake.

Our next step is a two-month trial of portable speed cameras. These will give us the hard evidence we need to push Police, Council, and NZTA for stronger action.
The community needs to raise $4,300 to make it happen and fundraising details will be announced later this week.

This isn’t about politics, it’s about people. Even if I’m not elected to Council, I’ll keep working alongside residents until we see real change.
This is what community looks like.
Lyttelton Harbour Business Association Lyttelton New Zealand! Lyttelton - Ain't No Place I'd Rather Be! Governors Bay Community Charteris Bay Yacht Club Lyttelton - You're allowed an alternate opinion!

https://www.chrislynchmedia.com/news-items/community-led-taskforce-ready-to-tackle-boyracers-in-banks-peninsula/