Erebus National Memorial location offer The Council has agreed to formally offer two Christchurch locations as a potential site for a planned National Erebus Memorial – Cracroft reserve in Cashmere and the bank of the Ōtākaro Avon River in the central city. The offer is being made to Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage,…
Stopping sediment in its tracks post-winter grazing
Stopping sediment in its tracks post-winter grazing Our land management team is urging farmers to take actions to reduce the risk of sediment and nutrient runoff into local waterways following a very wet winter grazing period, particularly in South Canterbury. Why soil conservation matters When rain hits bare paddocks following winter grazing, it can wash…
Traffic signal upgrades to address delays around Memorial Avenue
“For the last year we’ve been installing new, bigger pipes to help meet increasing demands on our wastewater network generated by our growing city,” said Head of Three Waters Gavin Hutchison. “We’ve been working on Clyde and Creyke roads, and our work is now focused on Maidstone Road, between Ilam Road and Waimairi Road,” Mr…
Homestretch for stadium construction as roof and facade near completion
In the latest construction update video, released today, Christchurch City Council Project Director Kent Summerfield details several key areas that are nearing completion. “With around eight months to go until opening, the installation of the roof cladding continues to be a key focus. This work is now well past the halfway mark, and we remain…
Foundation laid as Ōmōkihi takes shape
Cook Brothers Construction has completed the first concrete pour on the $32 million library and customer service hub, which is replacing the earthquake-damaged South Library building in Beckenham. “If you peek through the fence, you’ll be able to see the whole footprint of Ōmōkihi and get your first taste of the scale of what’s going…
More express options to the city for Rolleston commuters
More express options to the city for Rolleston commuters Selwyn-based commuters will benefit from more direct buses to and from Christchurch, with the launch of a new collaboration between Metro and Bentley Coachlines. In June, Bentley Coachlines approached us for approval to run privately operated commuter services from Rolleston to the city. Staff have worked…
A weekend for music lovers
Arts Centre Chamber Series: Voices of Ōtākaro Join talented musicians from UC Music and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and hear the poetry of Mary Oliver, Federuci García Lorca, local texts from the Ōtākaro River Trail, waiata and more, brought to life by vocalists Zara Ballara, Naomi Ferguson, and Yumeka Hildreth. With compositions by Reuben de Lautour…
Take extra care on the hills as spring lambs arrive
Signs are being put up at the entrances to Council reserves on the Port Hills, reminding the public that lambing is in progress and that dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash at all times or risk a $300 fine. “Enjoy your walks but please respect the farmers and their livestock at this…
Slim regroups for Go Live and special release
The festival, produced by Christchurch City Council, will see 13 acts play across four stages. After disbanding more than 20 years ago in 2003, Slim is marking their return to the stage with a full-length album release of deep cuts from recording sessions between 1998 and 2000. The album, Eating the Dirt, is now available…
Annual groundwater survey yet to show improvements in water quality
Annual groundwater survey yet to show improvements in water quality More E. coli detections and rising nitrate concentrations were found in Waitaha Canterbury groundwater last year. Our annual groundwater quality survey report for 2024 has been released (PDF file, 3.4MB), with water samples from 349 wells across Waitaha sampled and analysed. The wells tested are…
Government confirms funding for Pages Road bridge
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Board today endorsed the Council’s business case for a new Pages Road bridge and upgrade to surrounding streets. The funding will come from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF). Mayor Phil Mauger says this is great news after years of waiting by Christchurch residents. “The Pages Road bridge…
Pūrau burial ground returned to hapū
Ngāti Wheke have been seeking the return of the urupā since the 1920s and last week’s transfer is the culmination of the most recent efforts, which began seven years ago. Following strenuous petition from the hapū, Christchurch City Council applied to the Department of Conservation earlier this year to revoke the site’s reserve status, enabling…
Lighthouse Road to fully reopen for first time since May
The road had restricted access after being affected by land instability following the heavy rainfall that hit the region. The decision to reopen this week is based on an independent draft geotechnical report that evaluates data from borehole drilling completed onsite in July. Some minor repairs, required after the drilling, will be completed before the…
Super Round heads to New Zealand to open One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha
Super Round 2026 will combine world-class rugby with live music and family-friendly fun, as fans from across New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and the Pacific come together to celebrate a historic festival of footy in Christchurch. Set for Round 11 of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, from April 24 to 26, 10 teams will descend…
Memorial park honours local servicemen
The War Memorial Library at 372 Riccarton Road was built in 1919 to commemorate residents who served in World War I. The library subsequently became a place to honour soldiers with links to the area who served in World War II and later conflicts, and was run by volunteers until its closure in 2017 due…
Talking about our changing climate
That’s the focus of the second Christchurch Conversation of 2025 – how we can communicate about climate change in ways that will empower people and governments to act. Presented by Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City-Making, Communicating Climate Change is being held from 6-7.30pm on Tuesday 19 August in the TSB Space at Tūranga….
What's on this weekend
2025 Arts Canterbury Art Show The Arts Canterbury annual Art Show is on this weekend, fundraising to provide support for local artists. More than 80 Art Canterbury artists will exhibit at the show, displaying traditional paintings and drawings, as well as sculptures, artworks created from glass, metal sculptures, jewellery and more. Head to the Cashmere…
Main North Road water pipe renewal to begin
Christchurch City Council Head of Three Waters Gavin Hutchison says the water pipes are coming to the end of their life and need to be upgraded. “The renewal is being carried out in three stages and is scheduled for completion in early 2026,” says Mr Hutchison. “This will help us meet increasing demands on our…
We're backing the matuku-hūrepo for Bird of the Year
We’re backing the matuku-hūrepo for Bird of the Year Our regional parks and forests team is stepping into campaign mode – not for an election, but for Bird of the Year. Our candidate? The shy but spectacular matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern). Spotting one of these large native birds is a rare privilege. Fewer than 1,000 remain…
Let's clear the air on outdoor burning rules
Let’s clear the air on outdoor burning rules As the warmth of spring approaches, many Cantabrians begin clearing their gardens or fields, often by burning waste. Each year, we receive hundreds of complaints about outdoor burning from across Waitaha Canterbury. If you are planning an outdoor burn, there are important rules you need to follow…
Feedback on Govt’s housing growth proposal approved
The Government is seeking feedback on “pillar 1” of its three-pillar proposal to help inform the policy as part of its broader reform of the resource management system. Pillar 1 focuses on freeing up land for urban development, including removing unnecessary planning barriers, to help address the underlying causes of New Zealand’s housing supply shortage….
Fund helps support waterway volunteers
A grant from Christchurch City Council’s Community Waterways Partnership Fund enabled the Styx Living Laboratory Trust to purchase the equipment, which is being used to monitor water quality. “We’re concerned that increased development, particularly in the top of the catchment, is having negative effects on the health of the river, such as sediment smothering cobbles…
Nominate a building for Open Christchurch 2026
The one-weekend-old celebration of architectural excellence is returning for its sixth edition on 1-3 May 2026 to shine the light on Christchurch’s buildings and landscapes of architectural, cultural and historical significance. The festival has grown from strength to strength since its 2021 inception, with increasing and diversifying participation from both attendees and collaborators indicating a…
Trailers, tyres and teamwork will help us reach rubbish off the beaten track
Trailers, tyres and teamwork will help us reach rubbish off the beaten track A riverside clean-up event along the northern banks of the Waimakariri River is planned for Sunday 10 August, offering locals an opportunity to make a real difference in a special part of Waitaha Canterbury’s natural landscape. The clean-up will run from 10am…
Show courts installed and pools filled at Parakiore
Crown Infrastructure Delivery (CID) Project Director, Alistair Young, says the Show Courts area is about the size of a supermarket. “This 2,900-square-metre space has been purpose-built to host televised games and high-performance sport, with retractable grandstands flanking the central court, ready to roll out for spectators. It’s also large enough to accommodate three basketball or…
Candidates confirmed for local body elections
Eight people will contest Christchurch’s mayoralty, while 40 people are standing for Council seats. Three Council seats have received one candidate, meaning the current Councillor will be re-elected unopposed. These are: Harewood Ward Waimairi Ward Hornby Ward Seventy people will contest the Community Board positions. View the list of candidates for Christchurch here. Election Officer…
Decades of river bird data comes to life in new mapping tool
Decades of river bird data comes to life in new mapping tool A decades-long dream for braided river care groups across Waitaha Canterbury has come to life with the launch of a new GIS-based mapping platform that brings together more than 60 years of river bird survey data into one accessible public database. A regional…
Candidates confirmed for Canterbury Regional Council election
Candidates confirmed for Canterbury Regional Council election Elections will be required in all seven constituencies for Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) in the October local elections. Nominations closed at midday on Friday 1 August. The regional council’s general manager governance Lisa Goodman, who is also the deputy electoral officer, confirmed that 34 nominations had been…
Your guide to the winter weekend
Family History Expo Christchurch City Libraries is hosting a weekend celebrating family history. Come along to the Family History Expo at Tūranga from 10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday and find out more about DNA, how to trace your Scottish and Irish ancestors, learn about your Whakapapa Ngāi Tahu, the challenge of AI in family…
Adoptions and approvals at Canterbury Regional Council’s 600th meeting
Adoptions and approvals at Canterbury Regional Council’s 600th meeting At the 30 July Council meeting, Councillors adopted a range of strategies and plans, including a 100-year braided river revival strategy and a plan to allow the carriage of pets on buses in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. Chair Craig Pauling opened the 600th meeting of the Canterbury Regional Council…