James Gough was elected to Christchurch City Council at 25 years old. Two months later, the earthquake hit.
In this episode, James takes us inside the rebuild of one of New Zealand's most iconic cities — from his uncle Anthony's decision to pour everything into the Terraces when the banks were begging him not to, to the behind-the-scenes fight that saved Christchurch Stadium from being cut by 5,000 seats.
He also gets honest about his own journey — learning to stop people-pleasing, doubling down on what he's good at, and why he'd rather be voted out making the right call than keep his job making the wrong one.
Topics covered:
- The Terraces — Christchurch's landmark post-earthquake development
- Why overseas investors never came and locals rebuilt the city
- The stadium capacity fight and how public pressure reversed the decision
- Life as a councillor during disaster recovery
- Business advice: passion, refining your craft, and knowing your limits
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:02 What is the Terraces?
01:01 The earthquake and the decision to rebuild
02:00 Family, business, and buying out his aunt
04:23 The Christchurch rebuild — who actually did it?
06:37 \"If people like me don't back our home, who else will?\"
08:56 Elected to council at 25
10:05 The epiphany — why he ran
11:23 The earthquake hits, two months into council
12:43 The government blueprint vs. the council plan
17:29 Stop people-pleasing — his come-to-Jesus moment
19:22 The stadium — why cutting 5,000 seats was wrong
23:37 How public pressure reversed the decision
26:36 Christchurch today — a city his kids will love
27:32 Business advice
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