An award-winning farmer is looking for a seat at the Ashburton District Council.

Phill Everest has come forward as a candidate in the Eastern Ward.

The now 66-year-old was a supreme winner of the 2022 New Zealand Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

It was recognition to his family's 30-year effort developing a sustainable dairy and beef farm that balances the needs of people, animals, economics and the environment.

The farm at Flemington has been taken over by his son, and the now former farmer is looking to become a councillor to give back to his community.

“I don’t have any axe to grind, just a passion for our community,” Everest said.

“We have a great spot and we need to take opportunities to enhance our paradise further.

He said he won’t be out to make any big promises.

“[The council} is a team approach and you are only one voice in the team.”

“If people think I can offer something, that’s fine and I’ve got the time and feel I can do a bit for the community.

Everest, a member of the Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective, was one of the key leaders that organised the community-led Community Vision Workshops in 2023 in order to present a collective submission to Environment Canterbury.

His wife Jocelyn is a former district councillor, serving one term in the early 2000s.

Everest joins incumbent Richard Wilson in vying for the Eastern Ward, with Wilson seeking a second term.

Then there is three-term councillor Russell Ellis who has also officially entered the mayoralty race, as well as standing in the Ashburton Ward.

He joins deputy mayor Liz McMillan as an official starter in the mayoralty race.

Councillor Rob Mackle and Ashburton’s Jeff Ryan are yet to register their nominations.

McMillan is also in the Western Ward with Newcomer Deborah Gilkison.

In the Ashburton Ward, Ellis joins first-term councillors Tony Todd and Phill Hooper, and newcomer Stephanie Poole.

No Nominations have been received for the Methven Community Board as of midday Thursday.

Over at ECan, there have been no nominations filed so far across the seven constituencies, according to the register of candidates.

Sweeping change in Selwyn 

Ashburton has two councillors and the mayor moving on but there will be a major shake-up around Selwyn's council table with more than half of the current councillors not standing again, and one set to challenge for the Mayoralty. 

Ashburton has Mayor Neil Brown and councillors Leen Braan and Lynette Lovett moving on this election out of its 11 elected representatives. 

Meanwhile, Selwyn’s deputy mayor Malcolm Lyall announced he will not seek re-election taking the number of retiring councillors in Selwyn to six. 

Lyall’s fellow Springs Ward councillors - Debra Hasson and Grant Miller – will also be stepping away from the council, along with Shane Epiha (Ellesmere), Bob Mugford (Malvern), and Phil Dean (Rolleston). 

Sam Broughton has indicated he will seek a fourth term as mayor, with first-term councillor Lydia Gliddon set to challenge for the role.  

By Jonathan Leask