"Looking forward to yet another term being the voice of the community": Shirish Paranjape
Shirish Paranjape, Waimairi Board
The declaration of progress results of the Local Elections on Saturday 8 Oct 2022 was a culmination of a very long process, which starts with the decision to contest yet again.
Having been the Community Board member for Waimairi for the previous two terms, namely 2016-19 and 2019-22, one may feel that the decision to contest (or not) is an obvious decision. “However, it is not the case with me”, says Shirish Paranjape. “As someone working as an electrical engineer in a full-time role with significant responsibilities, it is important that I have the full support of my employer.”
When Paranjape asked his employer about running for a 3rd term, they said, “we not only support you, we encourage you. We want our staff to be active in the community in whichever way they want to.”
Having made the decision to run for the role again, the work begins well before the formal nomination date. Preparing campaign plan and the material needed, getting permission from homeowners for the use of their fences for election signage, participation in candidate evenings and online surveys is all part of it.
“For me, doorknocking is the best part of the campaign. Although I can do this only on weekends, I immensely enjoy meeting residents. At the end of the campaign, I am a better- informed person, which itself is fantastic”, explains Paranjape.
Paranjape was at the Christchurch Durga Pooja event on 8th October, when the voting closed at midday. The morning was spent felicitating the outgoing mayor of Christchurch- Lianne Dalziel. Then began the nervous wait, which ended at 1.08 pm when Paranjape received a call from the electoral office informing that he had been re-elected. It takes a week for the final results to be confirmed before the process of swearing in etc. can happen.
It was only after the results were officially declared and posted on City Council website that Paranjape could publicly share the news of being re-elected for a 3rd term. The news was received with much jubilation and cheering by those who were at the Durga Pooja event. Paranjape said he was happy to have won the vote of confidence from the residents of Waimairi, as well as relieved that months of efforts had reached their logical conclusion.
When asked about what the immediate priorities might be, Paranjape provides the analogy of a cricket game. “With 8 of 9 members (6 Community Board plus 3 Councillors) at the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board having been re-elected, the election period is like a drinks or tea break - we continue with the tasks on hand.”
He added that meeting residents during door knocking provided additional insights, particularly in the area which got transferred from Riccarton to Waimairi ward. One example is to improve the access through a small reserve between Godfrey Place and Tyndale Place. A resident explained to Paranjape during his door knocking how the current situation is unhelpful and obstructive to residents.
“I am looking forward to yet another term representing the community which has been home since 2002,” concludes Paranjape
Shirish Paranjape, Waimairi Board
The declaration of progress results of the Local Elections on Saturday 8 Oct 2022 was a culmination of a very long process, which starts with the decision to contest yet again.
Having been the Community Board member for Waimairi for the previous two terms, namely...
Shirish Paranjape, Waimairi Board
The declaration of progress results of the Local Elections on Saturday 8 Oct 2022 was a culmination of a very long process, which starts with the decision to contest yet again.
Having been the Community Board member for Waimairi for the previous two terms, namely 2016-19 and 2019-22, one may feel that the decision to contest (or not) is an obvious decision. “However, it is not the case with me”, says Shirish Paranjape. “As someone working as an electrical engineer in a full-time role with significant responsibilities, it is important that I have the full support of my employer.”
When Paranjape asked his employer about running for a 3rd term, they said, “we not only support you, we encourage you. We want our staff to be active in the community in whichever way they want to.”
Having made the decision to run for the role again, the work begins well before the formal nomination date. Preparing campaign plan and the material needed, getting permission from homeowners for the use of their fences for election signage, participation in candidate evenings and online surveys is all part of it.
“For me, doorknocking is the best part of the campaign. Although I can do this only on weekends, I immensely enjoy meeting residents. At the end of the campaign, I am a better- informed person, which itself is fantastic”, explains Paranjape.
Paranjape was at the Christchurch Durga Pooja event on 8th October, when the voting closed at midday. The morning was spent felicitating the outgoing mayor of Christchurch- Lianne Dalziel. Then began the nervous wait, which ended at 1.08 pm when Paranjape received a call from the electoral office informing that he had been re-elected. It takes a week for the final results to be confirmed before the process of swearing in etc. can happen.
It was only after the results were officially declared and posted on City Council website that Paranjape could publicly share the news of being re-elected for a 3rd term. The news was received with much jubilation and cheering by those who were at the Durga Pooja event. Paranjape said he was happy to have won the vote of confidence from the residents of Waimairi, as well as relieved that months of efforts had reached their logical conclusion.
When asked about what the immediate priorities might be, Paranjape provides the analogy of a cricket game. “With 8 of 9 members (6 Community Board plus 3 Councillors) at the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board having been re-elected, the election period is like a drinks or tea break - we continue with the tasks on hand.”
He added that meeting residents during door knocking provided additional insights, particularly in the area which got transferred from Riccarton to Waimairi ward. One example is to improve the access through a small reserve between Godfrey Place and Tyndale Place. A resident explained to Paranjape during his door knocking how the current situation is unhelpful and obstructive to residents.
“I am looking forward to yet another term representing the community which has been home since 2002,” concludes Paranjape
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