A month of free activities to get Pasifika people moving together is kicking off in Christchurch. The Pasifika Fitness Challenge is being led by the Tangata Atumotu Trust with support from the Ministry of Pacific Peoples and Christchurch City Council. Tangata Atumotu Team Leader, Suli Tuitaupe says the first Pasifika Fitness Challenge, held in November…
Category: Christchurch City Council
News and Updates from the Christchurch City Council
Call for smart vote for Christchurch’s Smart City app
An innovative Christchurch-specific web app, SmartView, needs your vote. Created by the Christchurch City Council’s Smart City programme, SmartView is a finalist in the IDC 2021 Smart City Asia Pacific Awards (SCAPA), recognising the best Smart City initiatives in the region. People can show their support for the essential digital destination for Christchurch residents and…
Drop-in sessions postponed
A drop-in session for the Wheels to Wings – Papanui ki Waiwhetū cycleway has been postponed because of the COVID-19 alert level change. The drop-in session was scheduled to take place at the Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Community Centre between 10.30am and 12.30pm this Thursday, 4 March. “We are going to re-schedule the drop-in session and extend…
Search on for new uses for high performance sports centre
Christchurch City Council is scouting for new uses for the high performance sports centre in Burnside’s Jellie Park. The centre – the Apollo Project Centre – was built after the earthquakes to provide a temporary home for High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) because they had lost the use of the sports facilities at Queen…
Demolition begins on former police kiosk in the Square
After nearly half a century in Cathedral Square, Christchurch’s former police kiosk will be demolished from this week. The removal of the kiosk, which is no longer fit for purpose, will make way for the eventual relocation of the Citizens’ War Memorial into the Square. The tilia tree beside the kiosk will be carefully removed…
More events impacted by COVID-19 alert level change
Events that have been cancelled include: Christchurch Holi-Festival of Colours, scheduled for 6 March Children’s Day in the Residential Red Zone, scheduled for 7 March Secondary Schools Waka Ama Champs, scheduled for 6 March Lazy Sundays, scheduled for 7 March Events that have been postponed include: Armageddon Christchurch, scheduled for 6 and 7 March 2021…
Site for new multi-use Hornby centre blessed
The site where Hornby’s new multi-use community facility is going to be built has been blessed ahead of work starting on the multimillion-dollar project. “With the site blessed, earth works can now start on site and the community can finally see physical progress being made on their new multi-use centre,’’ says Christchurch City Councillor Jimmy…
Discover what’s on in Christchurch this weekend
A special concert to mark the quake anniversary heads the many events in the city, along with community fun days, a farewell to the godwits and sporting challenges. Ōtautahi Together A free concert – featuring Bic Runga – in the Botanic Gardens will mark the 10th anniversary of Christchurch’s February 22, 2011, earthquake. The concert, Ōtautahi Together,…
Alert level change impacts on city events
The change in COVID-19 alert levels has impacted on plans for Ōtautahi Together and other major events in the city today. “Because our region is now under Level 2 restrictions, which limit the size of gatherings, events that were planned today are having to be either postponed or scaled back,’’ says Mary Richardson, who leads…
Christchurch stands to benefit from climate action
A collective commitment to urgent climate action will deliver many benefits for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, says Councillor Sara Templeton. Cr Templeton chairs Christchurch City Council’s Sustainability and Community Resilience Committee, which today agreed to release for public consultation the Draft Ōtautahi Christchurch Climate Change Strategy. The draft strategy outlines our four climate goals for…
Bic Runga’s song of unity marks quake anniversary
A song that reflects on Christchurch’s journey since the deadly earthquake on 22 February 2011 is being released today by critically acclaimed Kiwi musician Bic Runga. She will perform the song live for the first time at a special concert, Ōtautahi Together, this Sunday on the Archery Lawn of the Botanic Gardens. She has written…
Council challenging aspects of Water Services Bill
Christchurch City Council is challenging aspects of a proposed new law that could result in all reticulated water supplies having to be chemically disinfected. In a submission on the Water Services Bill, the Council says it supports the general thrust of the bill and thinks that it will improve the safety of drinking water supplies…
Council reviewing funding for Christchurch Foundation
Christchurch City Council has signalled it plans to reduce the amount of funding support it provides to the Christchurch Foundation. The Christchurch Foundation is the charitable organisation that was set up in 2017 to actively collect, manage and distribute funds for a wide range of activities and projects that provide betterment for Christchurch. Under a…
Are you in a tsunami evacuation zone?
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula residents who live or work near waterways or the coast are being encouraged this month to find out if they are in a tsunami evacuation zone. “Living close to the water means that we do need to be prepared for tsunamis,’’ says Christchurch City Council Head of Civil Defence and Emergency…
Investment in core infrastructure key focus of 10-year budget
Christchurch City Council’s draft 10-year budget lays the foundation for the city’s continued growth and will ensure the core infrastructure that residents rely on is kept in good condition, says Mayor Lianne Dalziel. Today, the Council agreed in principle to adopt the Draft 2021-31 Long Term Plan and release it for public consultation. It will…
New targeted rate proposed to help preserve city’s heritage
A proposal for a new targeted rate to help fund the restoration of some of Christchurch’s most prominent heritage buildings is included in Christchurch City Council’s 10-year draft budget. “We’re proposing to introduce a heritage targeted rate instead of including all funding for heritage building in the general rate,’’ says Mayor Lianne Dalziel. “This targeted…
Council proposing changes to libraries’ opening hours
A streamlining of opening hours at Christchurch libraries is among the cost-saving measures proposed in Christchurch City Council’s 10-year draft budget. “We’ve looked at when our libraries are at their busiest and when we can reduce opening hours with minimal impact on how, and when, residents like to use their local library. We have also…
Level 4 water restrictions for parts of Banks Peninsula
Level 4 water restrictions are now in place for Akaroa, Takamātua and Duvauchelle on Banks Peninsula as hot weather and critically low stream flows put extra pressure on water supplies. Level 4 restrictions are a total ban on outdoor water use. The use of hand-held hoses, unattended hoses, sprinklers, and garden irrigation systems is not…
Water charge proposed to curb extreme demand
Christchurch City Council is proposing charging households that regularly use large amounts of water in an effort to make the service fairer and to curb extreme demand over summer. The excess water use charge – to be put forward for public feedback under the Council’s Draft Long Term Plan 2021-31 – would apply to any…
Thousands gather for quake anniversary service
Christchurch has gone through a “hugely difficult decade’’ but the city has a bright future ahead says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. At today’s national memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake that claimed 185 lives, the Prime Minister spoke of the complex and diverse ways the earthquake and the…
Queen: My thoughts are with you all
The Queen has sent Christchurch a message on the 10th anniversary of the earthquake that changed the city forever and claimed 185 lives. The message, which was read out by Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy at the national memorial service this afternoon, says: “On the tenth anniversary of the Canterbury earthquakes, as you gather to…
Council enlisting residents help to make it easier to get around
Residents in five areas of Christchurch are being invited to help determine where extra Government money to fix roads, improve safety and enable people to easily move around their neighbourhood should be spent. The money – $30 million – was given to Christchurch City Council so it could improve the condition of roads and footpaths…
Council outlines Christchurch’s climate change approach
Collective action is at the heart of a draft strategy that has been put together to shape Christchurch’s response to the challenges and opportunities of climate change. The Draft Ōtautahi Christchurch Climate Change Strategy looks at: The areas we need to focus on to reduce greenhouse gas emissions locally. How we can plan for and…
Public asked to gather early for quake service
People are advised to arrive early for Monday’s national memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The service is being held at the Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial and will be attended by the Governor General, Dame Patsy Reddy, and the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. With a large crowd…
School gardens taking shape for free Christchurch garden festival
Plants, flowers and vegetables are taking up every spare inch of space at six regional schools as designs are finalised for the Rātā Foundation School Gardens exhibitions at Grow Ōtautahi in March. School pupils from around Christchurch are sharing the unique stories of their communities by creating special gardens for Grow Ōtautahi – Christchurch’s very…
Christchurch’s city centre:10 years on from the quake
The Co-Creation Award 2011 that adorns Mayor Lianne Dalziel’s office wall is a tribute to the Share an Idea campaign that kick-started the rebuild of Christchurch’s city centre. “When I reflect on the extent of the damage to our city centre and the obstacles we have had to overcome, the progress to achieve the vision…
Draft budget positions Christchurch strongly for the future
A 10-year $13.1 billion budget that focuses on investing in core infrastructure, delivering key services, and positioning Christchurch and Banks Peninsula for the future will be outlined to Councillors next week. The proposed Draft 2021-31 Long Term Plan takes into account the challenging economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and incorporates savings of $329…
Temporary bypass to address Akaroa’s water issues
Christchurch City Council is working quickly to create a temporary bypass for the contaminated water reservoir in Akaroa. Preparation work has already started and the temporary water tanks will be delivered to the reservoir’s site at L’Aube Hill Reserve next week. The tanks will allow the contaminated water reservoir to be removed from Akaroa and Takamātua’s…
Larence Shustak and all that jazz on show at Art Gallery
Larence Shustak’s gritty images of New York City in the 1960s and a Christchurch that no longer exists will come into focus at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū in February. A new exhibition – air gun? – captures the vivid portrait and street photography of the American photographer. Shustak left the United States for…
Digital exhibition captures community earthquake images
Several seldom seen photos capturing post-earthquake life in Christchurch will go on show in a new digital exhibition by Christchurch City Libraries to mark the 10th anniversary of the quakes. The extensive online exhibition – curated from a mix of photos submitted by the community to the Libraries’ digital heritage collection – will go live…