With special votes still be counted, the Culverden farmer has 9764 votes and looks set to join sitting councillor Claire McKay (11,837 votes) in representing North Canterbury at the Environment Canterbury council table.
Based on preliminary results, Faulkner is 274 votes ahead of sitting councillor Grant Edge (9490 votes).
Faulkner, a dairy farmer and former chairperson of the Hurunui-Waiau Uwha Zone Committee, said he is an advocate for addressing the region’s freshwater and environmental challenges.
‘‘There is only a narrow pathway out this mess we are in and not many people are finding it, so my hope is that whoever ends up sitting around the council table can find it.
‘‘I come from a background where I’m trying to straddle all spectrums of the argument.
‘‘We need to bring people together to make change.’’
‘‘It shows you just cannot be complacent. I was just pleased people have the confidence to return me for another term.’’
She was one of eight sitting councillors to be re-elected across the seven constituencies.
‘‘We are going to need [experience], because depending on what the Government reform throws up, there will be some big changes to work through.’’
Other returning councillors include Deon Swiggs, Joe Davies, Genevieve Robinson, John Sunckell, Ian Mackenzie, Peter Scott and Nick Ward.
New councillors include Sara Gerard, Ashley Campbell, Nettles Lamont, Andrea Davis and Nick Moody, based on preliminary results.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has announced the iwi will be represented by Iaean Cranwell and Megen McKay.
Cranwell is an experienced councillor, having first represented Ngāi Tahu at the council table in 2016.
‘‘I am really looking forward to the next triennium and working with all councillors, new and returning, to focus on our waterways, water quality and quantity from the mountains to the sea.
‘‘With local government and Resource Management Act reforms continuing to progress at pace, this new council needs to work together and find a pathway forward for the future of Waitaha - what is good for mana whenua is good for the region’’
Megen McKay has served as the mana whenua representative on Selwyn District Council, is a lawyer and an independent hearings commissioner.
‘‘I’m looking forward to working alongside councillors, mana whenua, and our communities to make well-informed decisions that deliver real results for Canterbury’s people and environment.’’
The new council is due to meet on Wednesday, October 29, where the councillors will be sworn in and the new chairperson and deputy chairperson will be elected.
Environment Canterbury preliminary results:
North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke Regional Constituency (2 vacancies):
Claire McKay 11,837, John Faulkner 9764, Grant Edge 9490, Tane Apanui 6072, Frankie Karetai Wood-Bodley 4287.
Christchurch West/Ōpuna Regional Constituency (2 vacancies):
Deon Swiggs 14,571, Sara Gerrard 14,213, Michael Bennett 8490, Colin Meurk 7957.
Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi Regional Constituency (2 vacancies):
Ian Mackenzie 18,385, John Sunckell 15,732, Helen Troy 14,078, Peter Trolove 12,012.
South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi Regional Constituency (2 vacancies):
Nick Ward 13,642, Peter Scott 9355, Toni Severin 7609.
Christchurch North East/Ōrei Regional Constituency (2 vacancies):
Ashley Campbell 11,084, Joe Davies 10,743, David East 10,401, Peter Langlands 8727.
Christchurch Central/Ōhoko Regional Constituency (2 vacancies):
Genevieve Robinson 8339, Nettles Lamont 8052, Alexandra Davids 6379, Lindon Boyce 4244, Ross Boswell 4053, Benjamin Alexander 3473, Alan (Huijian) Wang 3152.
Christchurch South/Ōwhanga Regional Constituency (2 vacancies):
Andrea Davis 14,469, Nick Moody 11,004, Mananui Ramsden 8321, Bill Kingston 4451, Mike Okey 3532, Philip Robinson 2709, John McLister 2264.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
