1 August 2013
New Challenger in Christchurch Mayoral Race
“Democracy, transparency and accountability.”
These are the three guiding principles that Hugo Kristinsson will bring to one of the top positions in the city if he is
successful in his campaign to become the next mayor of Christchurch.
Kristinsson, who has played a key role working with Christchurch residents recovering from the earthquakes and
investigating and communicating the official handling of the process, says community, housing, employment, the
environment and council facilities will be some of the key issues during his campaign.
“What is of paramount importance is ensuring an effective residential and business recovery process,” he says, “and
important components of that include what’s happening with our rivers and green spaces, residential communities and the
council facilities needed, and employment in the city after the rebuild.”
Hugo Kristinsson cites transparency with regard to finances and preserving the city's architectural heritage as further
election issues.
“Our historic buildings and history give Christchurch its unique identity and should be treasured. I passionately
believe Christchurch now has a wonderful opportunity to become a model for education, community, business and tourism
for generations to come, not just in New Zealand but internationally.”
“There is such opportunity here. Despite the challenges we face, Christchurch can and should be an exciting and vibrant
place, attracting tourists and encouraging our young people to stay here and be part of the regeneration of our city. I
know I can lead our council to achieve this and so much more,” he says.
Backgrounder
Hugo Kristinsson first came to New Zealand from Iceland in 1991 with his wife Emma and two children. What was meant to
be a two-year working holiday turned into a shorter ten-month stay after Hugo’s father unexpectedly died and the family
returned to Iceland.
However the family missed Christchurch so much that in 1995 they made the decision to return to New Zealand and start a
new life in Christchurch.
Hugo’s first job was as an IT manager for the South Island's largest Pre Press house, after which he initiated a
Software Company to develop a resolution to a significant technical problem being experienced in the printing industry.
This goal was achieved and the technology is now in use all around the world.
International trade shows and a distribution worldwide followed. Partners through the years have been amongst others
Epson, Roland, Hewlett Packard, Apple, Canon, Pantone and more.
Users that have endorsed Hugo’s software include famous artists such as David Hockey, large multinational packaging
companies and many New Zealand Printers.
In the past two years Hugo has focused on the bigger picture of the Christchurch recovery and has been actively working
on reveling how the recovery is handled and empowering residents that are faced by this disaster. He believes that by
empowering Christchurch there is a clear path to make Christchurch the shining city it deserves to be.
Currently Hugo is working with the University of Canterbury on a project of flood and natural hazard management in the
Avon Otakaro Corridor.
ENDS