Cr Phil Dean profile photo

Councillor Phil Dean has resigned as an elected member of the Selwyn District Council and will be stepping down from his position as Rolleston Ward Councillor on May 16.

Cr Dean gave his resignation to Selwyn District Council Chief Executive Sharon Mason, saying it was a difficult decision to make, but necessary to strike the right balance with other commitments.

As well as being an elected Councillor, Cr Dean is now also working full-time and says balancing the two roles has become too difficult.

“It was a really tough decision to make and one that I have thought long and hard about. I feel honored to have worked with some amazing people on the Council and Council staff, and I feel that Selwyn is in a strong position for the future.”

During his time on the Council since October 2022, Cr Dean says he is proud to have played a role in leading the Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy which was released last year with significant input from Selwyn businesses.

“I’m proud of watching our community grow and how our Council has adapted to such rapid growth and managed to tackle the big decisions put in front of us.”

Council Chief Executive Sharon Mason says Phil’s thoughtful consideration of the wide breadth of issues and decisions that crossed the Council table will be missed.

“Phil brought a range of experience and skills to the Council table, with his background in Police community development, road safety, as well as being well-known in the Selwyn theatre and business communities.”

Cr Dean plans to continue as an active member of the Rolleston Residents’ Association as well as continued involvement in the creative arts and theatre community.

At the May Council meeting, a decision will be made by the Council on what will happen with Cr Dean’s Rolleston Ward Seat. Under the Local Electoral Act, the Council can decide whether to fill the seat before the next Local Body Elections in October.

Get Set Get Registered: Local Body Elections October 11, 2025

This is a timely reminder to get set and registered for this year’s Local Body Elections, says Sharon Mason.

“We are encouraging anyone who wants to make a difference in the local community to take a stand,” she says.

This year’s election is held by postal voting which opens on Tuesday 9 September and closes at midday on Saturday 11 October.

Nominations for candidates for the available positions will open on Friday 4 July and close at 12 noon on 1 August.

In the meantime, everyone over the age of 18 and living in Waikirikiri Selwyn District is encouraged to make sure they are enrolled to be able to vote and that their contact details are up-to-date.

Visit the Electoral Commission website to find out more about enrolling or updating your details online at https://vote.nz/enrolling/enrol-or-update/enrol-or-update-online

For further information on the local elections and standing as a candidate visit selwyn.govt.nz/elections, or contact Selwyn’s deputy electoral officer at electoral.officer@selwyn.govt.nz.

Last modified: 29 Apr 2025 7:21pm