Community interests at heart
The 2022 Local Body Elections gave rise to new leadership at the Christchurch City Council, due to the retirement of the previous mayor Lianne Dalziel, and deputy mayor Andrew Turner. Metropol writer Rhonda Mitchell catches up with new deputy mayor Pauline Cotter.
Family, community, and our city. These words drive Pauline Cotter, who after four terms as a city councillor is now Christchurch’s Deputy Mayor. Hindsight is always 20/20, but it is difficult to see that she was heading anywhere else.
Pauline’s interest in local issues was piqued by the demolition of a local outdoor community pool in 2006, and the resultant outcry saw her stand up with her community.
“Through that I was shoulder-tapped to stand for the Community Board. At that stage I didn’t know what a Community Board did,” she explains.
Being elected to the Shirley Papanui Community Board opened Pauline’s eyes to the organisation of Local Government. “I was stunned to discover the sheer volume of work that goes on by volunteers within our communities.”
Pauline is still advocating for the Edgeware Pool project, and says things are looking positive, thanks to the commitment and resilience of the community.
Under Lianne Dalziel’s mayoralty, she became more involved with environmental issues – water, biodiversity, and working on the council’s 3 Waters programme.
Policy around climate change is central to her nature: Pauline drives an EV, owns an electric bike, has an electric lawnmower.
“No-one disputes it will take time to increase our public transport patronage, and shift from fossil fuels to reduce our emissions, but it’s imperative that we change our behaviours to get there. We must get there.”
Pauline has a good working relationship with new mayor Phil Mauger. “We have a clear understanding of where we agree and where we disagree,” she says. “We know what we need to work on. We respect each other’s differences, and we work to reach consensus where we can.” She has purposefully stayed close to her local community. “St Albans has regained its Community Centre and the Residents’ Association is strong. Edgeware now has a lovely village feel with good connections to the rest of the city with its cycleways and bus routes passing through.
We need these community hubs across city.”
She was looking forward to a staycation during the holidays.
“It’s special being in Christchurch over the holidays, with a relaxed atmosphere, more visitors, and time to enjoy the city with family and friends.”
Pauline’s favourite local spots are Church Bay, Purau, and Diamond Harbour. “Everything is so accessible; I feel lucky to be living in such a beautiful city as Ōtautahi.”
IN BRIEF
Pauline’s grandfather, Christopher Cotter, emigrated from Ireland in the early 1900s, and started Cotters Electrical in High St in 1919.
Although the business now operates from a different location, she is immensely pleased that building has been saved and restored, and that one of her daughters is a fourth-generation employee at Cotters.
Pauline raised her four children in an original two-storey villa in St Albans.
“From 1990 until 2010, I was a company director with my partner. We owned and operated two home-based businesses; Strydes Ahead Fun Pants, and Aroha Rentals,” she explains.
Her interests include reading and gardening, and she is an avid supporter of community gardens.
