Craig Pauling

Craig Pauling is a New Zealand politician.
He was chairperson of Canterbury Regional Council from October 2024 to October 2025 and a member of the council for six years from 2019. He is a member of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Early life and education

Pauling is of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga and European descent. He attended high school at Aranui High School and graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in environmental management. He later completed postgraduate qualifications in social science and ecology.

Political career

Pauling was first elected to the Canterbury Regional Council in the Christchurch West/Ōpuna constituency in 2019. He was elected for a second term in 2022.
After the 2022 local elections, Pauling was one of two candidates nominated to be the regional council chair. The incumbent chair, Peter Scott, was the other candidate. The vote was tied and the tie was broken by randomly drawing a name from a container. Scott retained the chair and Pauling was unanimously appointed deputy chair.
In 2024, Scott twice stepped down as chair temporarily due to controversies following his admission he was undertaking illegal practices on his farm and repeatedly speeding in a council-owned car. Pauling acted as chair during these periods and was elected to the chair in October 2024 when Scott resigned. Deon Swiggs, the other councillor in the Christchurch West/Ōpuna constituency, was elected as Pauling's deputy.
It was announced on 1 August 2025 that Pauling would not contest the 2025 local elections. In January 2026, Pauling was confirmed as the Green Party's candidate for the Banks Peninsula electorate in the 2026 general election.

Personal life

Pauling is the father of three children. Pauling is a national and international waka ama champion.
Pauling can speak te reo Māori.