Gary Stokes: The Man in the Van Helping Keep Christchurch's Community Facilities Running

If something breaks in a library, community centre, swimming pool or council building across Christchurch and Canterbury, chances are Gary Stokes has either fixed it or helped make it safe.

After 19 years with Citycare Property, Gary has become a familiar face to many Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury customers and residents. As a handyman, he spends his days travelling between sites, tackling everything from minor repairs to urgent callouts.

"I consider myself a jack of all trades," Gary says. "If it's within my wheelhouse, I'll have a crack at it. If not, I'll make sure it gets passed on to the right person."

His role takes him across a wide range of community facilities, including libraries, recreation centres, community hubs, and other Christchurch City Council sites. 

Gary joined Citycare after working in bricklaying and truck driving.

"I had a young family and I was looking for security. Nineteen years later, I'm still here because I like the job and I like the people I work with."

He says much of the job is about relationships.

"I get on really well with the customers. A lot of times I get requested. I've built good rapport with council and Environment Canterbury customers, especially at sites like the libraries."

Among his many responsibilities, Gary also serves as a Permit Receiver and Safety Observer, helping ensure high-risk work is carried out safely and in accordance with council requirements.

When he is not overseeing permits, he is often responding to vandalism, storm damage or emergency callouts.

"We're often the first port of call. You load up the van with your materials and head out to do the job."

Gary says vandalism remains one of the biggest challenges facing public facilities.

"Most of our callouts are vandalism. People don't realise how much it costs. It takes time and resources that could be spent elsewhere."

Over nearly two decades with Citycare, Gary has worked through some of Canterbury's most challenging periods, including the Christchurch earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

"During the earthquakes we were very busy. The whole team was involved."

The work ranged from making damaged buildings safe and relocating council services to maintaining thousands of social housing properties. Teams also checked vacant units, secured unsafe sites and helped keep essential community services operating.

Looking back, he is proud of the role Citycare has played in supporting communities through both everyday maintenance and major events.

"We've always been phoned first and we will always do our best to fulfil requirements when people need us."

As long as there's a call to answer, Gary is happy to keep being the man in the van.

"What keeps me going is helping people," he says. "When someone's happy with what you've done and appreciates the help, that's what makes it worthwhile."