Pre-election coverage - Q&A with Trish Boyle

It’s only four months out until our Elections 2025 and whatsoninvers.nz took the opportunity to ask our Invercargill City Councillors who was going to be running again.

Next up in our pre-election coverage* with Invercargill City councillor Trish Boyle and asked her a few questions about the upcoming election.
*Note: All current councillors have been sent the same Q&A questions and will be published as we receive them!

Will you be standing again?
Yes.

Why or why not?
There are still key areas of work I want to see through, like the future of our museum, ensuring safe and reliable water infrastructure, and contributing to how environmental regulations (including Resource Management Act reform) are applied locally. I bring consistency, governance experience, and a strong community voice to these challenges.

How long have you already been involved exactly?
I’ve been a councillor for two and a half years, but my experience in governance and community leadership spans decades: locally, nationally, and internationally. In these 2.5 years, I've been a delegated member to the Creative Communities Fund and Chair of the Invercargill City Council Community Wellbeing Fund.

What are you most proud of/achievements in the time you have been on the council?
I’m proud of the way I’ve listened to a wide range of voices, considered all views respectfully, and made decisions with integrity. Staying focused, principled, and people-centred has been my approach. I’ve aimed to raise the standard of how the Council conducts itself and how it engages with the community.

In 2024, I was honoured to receive the King’s Service Medal, which recognised decades of service to education, governance, and community leadership. It was humbling and a reminder of the importance of steady, behind-the-scenes work that helps communities thrive.

One of the achievements I’m particularly proud of is qualifying as an RMA commissioner. I was invited to undertake the training, and I completed a rigorous programme to gain certification. This enables me to sit on hearings, assess resource consent applications, and contribute meaningfully to decisions under the Resource Management Act.

I did this to be more effective around the Council table and bring real expertise, not just opinion, especially when we’re making decisions that impact our land, waterways, and communities. It’s important that someone there understands the legislation and can ensure that the process is fair, transparent, and grounded in good practice. For me, it’s about stepping up and being as useful as I can be. Holding that qualification means I can represent our community with both voice and vote in some of the most complex decisions the Council makes.

What advice do you have for any new candidates standing?
Be true to yourself. Your role is to listen carefully, represent others with honesty, and vote after considering all sides. Integrity matters, so does doing your homework. Respect others, stay open-minded, and never lose sight of why you put your hand up in the first place.

What do you see are the pressing issues in your city that you are particularly passionate about?

Housing: particularly the need for more medium-density development that meets our evolving needs
Strengthening real, ongoing community engagement, not just tick-box consultation
Critically evaluating the information presented to the Council and asking the right questions
Modelling leadership that is transparent, collaborative, and something Invercargill can be proud of

Keen to ask more questions? Come and say hello at any one of my community coffee chats.

August 7 at 10.30am – Nichol’s Café, 200 North Road

August 8 at 11.30am – Cheeky Llama in Queen’s Park

August 13 at 10.30am – The Pantry, 133 Grace Street

August 20 at 11.30am – Main Street Café, 58 Kelvin Street

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