News archive

For a locally led recovery, change the bill

OPINION: The Government is currently seeking feedback on what will replace Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) and the Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) next April 2016.

Future Christchurch Update - December 2015

Rutland St residents discuss cycleway

What do we need to do to further our recovery?

Some detail has been provided of our Sector's responses to the question:  

DVD: Art of Recovery, a film by Peter Young

Buy before 10 December 2015 and get 20% off! Enter this code AORGAP

Join the 2015 voice to co-create a vision for Greater Christchurch

Transition of CERA functions

With the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) winding up in April 2016, work is now underway to transfer recovery responsibilities to other central and local government agencies, to ensure the long-term recovery and regeneration of greater Christchurch.    

Central Christchurch risks becoming 'vacuous money pit' - Johnny Moore

OPINION: Treasury this week issued a report suggesting the .

City risks becoming 'vacuous money pit': Johnny Moore

OPINION: Treasury this week issued a report suggesting the .

Christchurch construction workers blamed for meth use increase, survey says.

A Christchurch construction company boss disputes survey findings that blame construction workers for an increase in methamphetamine addiction in the city.

CCC hosting more meetings in St Albans on cycleway

Christchurch City Council is hosting further meetings on the proposed Papanui Parallel Cycleway, which will cut a swathe through St Albans. There’s one at the St Albans community centre, 1047 Colombo St, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday, December 3 …

CCC hosts more meetings in St Albans over planned cycleway

Christchurch City Council is hosting further meetings on the proposed Papanui Parallel Cycleway, which will cut a swathe through St Albans. There’s one at the St Albans community centre, 1047 Colombo St, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday, December 3 …

Public split on new Christchurch stadium

Christchurch seems split on the idea of a new stadium in the city.

Public invited to farewell UCSA building

For more than 40 years the University of Canterbury Students’ Association building has been a hub of student life, housing a radio station,magazinebars, a restaurant, and even a cat called Bentley.

More input from businesses can 'speed disaster recovery'

More collaboration between businesses, and government and community organisations would improve New Zealand's ability to recover from natural disasters, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Cosmetics flagship store to open in central Christchurch

In more good news for central Christchurch's new retail precinct, an Australian cosmetics chain has decided to open its first New Zealand store in the city.

World-first research into insurance industry's quake response

A world-first research project into the insurance industry's response to the Canterbury earthquakes will be a "global resource" for years to come, the man behind it says.

EQC: Auditor-General report shows good progress made

The Earthquake Commission says it is happy with a report outlining improvements it has made on its complaints process - but is aware more work is needed to help dissatisfied customers still waiting for repairs.

Council supports locally led regeneration

Council supports locally led regeneration

Listen to the 'book-keepers': Johnny Moore

OPINION: Treasury this week issued a report suggesting the .

Are you happy with the Christchurch rebuild so far?

A Treasury report has found the Christchurch anchor project programme - which includes a sports facility, convention centre and a stadium - has already missed key milestones. The report gave the programme a red rating, and said it...

Meetings discuss liquefaction vulnerability

Location: Beulah Church, Springfield Road Time: December 4, 10-11.30am Description: EQC is hosting community meetings to explain how it determined qualification for properties previously identified as potentially having increased liquefaction vulnerability (ILV) land damage. The 90-minute meeting features presentations by …

Christchurch construction workers blamed for meth use increase

A new survey blames Christchurch construction workers an increase in methamphetamine addiction in the city.

EQC: Canterbury Home Repair Programme – follow-up audit

EQC: Canterbury Home Repair Programme – follow-up audit

EQC to host meeting on increased flooding vulnerability

Location: Beulah Church, Springfield Road Time: January 20, 7-8.30pm Description: EQC is hosting another community meeting to explain how it determined qualification for properties previously identified as potentially having ILV land damage. Most of those affected have already received their …

EQC hosting meetings on increased liquefaction vulnerability

Location: Beulah Church, Springfield Road Time: January 20, 7-8.30pm Description: EQC is hosting another community meeting to explain how it determined qualification for properties previously identified as potentially having increased liquefaction vulnerability (ILV) land damage. Most of those affected have …

EQC still lacking on customer service – report

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) still needs to improve how it deals with customers and their complaints, a report says.

Looking backwards, thinking forwards

This is the speech that Gap Filler Co-founder, Ryan Reynolds, gave at our 5th birthday party on 26 November 2015. 

Council foolish to sell City Care

Christchurch City Council’s plan to sell 100 per cent of its infrastructure company, City Care, is “foolish in the extreme”, says Murray Horton, convenor of the group Keep Our Assets (KOA) “For a city that is undergoing a $46 billion …

New phase begins for residential red zones

Today marks the start of a new phase in Christchurch's earthquake recovery, with responsibility for Crown-owned residential red zone properties transferring from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Agency (CERA) to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ).

New phase begins for residential red zones

Bill English brushes off Treasury report into anchor project viability

Finance Minister Bill English has criticised his own department's analysis of Christchurch's central city anchor projects, saying the language used in the damning reports is "probably a bit strong".

Report lessons will help EQC better meet the needs of customers

Christchurch rebuild programme 'unachievable'

A report that found a government programme to help rebuild Christchurch was looking unachievable is out of date, Finance Minister Bill English says.The Treasury report found the Christchurch anchor project programme, which includes...

Carols in Packe St park

Location: Packe St Park Time: December 6, starting 4.30pm with carol singing at 5.30pm. Description: Family entertainment and food first followed by carol singing led by the St Albans Community Choir.

Greater transparency for Govt investment projects

Plans to sell City Care announced

Christchurch City Council will sell 100 per cent of City Care Limited through a competitive sale process starting in the New Year.

Anchor project delivery appears 'unachievable' - Treasury report

Christchurch's once-bold central city recovery plan is hanging in the balance, with Treasury saying it now appears unachievable.

Mt Pleasant News 27 November 2015

Good Beer Doing Good Last Wednesday evening the Association launched its stunning range of boutique beers as part of a unique fundraiser to bring in much needed funds for the […]

Labour puts earthquake recovery on front bench

Labour's new Canterbury spokeswoman has been promoted to the front bench.

Get your updated Gap Map!

Designed to help you explore the temporary creative projects in the city. 

Media statement in response to The Press

The following media statement was provided to The Press on 27th November 2015, in response to questions about the findings of a survey conducted in 2014.

Southern Response classified struggling customers as 'stoic' or 'downhearted'

More than half of Southern Response customers who took part in a survey said life was a "struggle" and they felt "very bleak" about their future.

Government Responsibility – Insurance and Climate Change

This Saturday I participated in the climate change protest in Christchurch City. It was great to see the thousands who attended. I was struck by the difference in the crowd between climate change protestors who were out in force and …

St Albans News for December/January out this weekend

The planned Papanui Parallel Cycleway is upsetting St Albans residents and business owners. Trafalgar St won’t be available for through traffic as it will have a double cul de sac in the middle. Berms and trees may disappear in some …

And the winner is …

We’re very excited to announce that the winning design in the Commons Shelter Challenge is The Dock70! Thank you to everyone who has participated in the project so far – the designers, the ‘expert’ panel, our sponsors and you – the voters! And now for the exciting part: consent, sourcing materials and then BUILDING! If […]

Stalled rebuild projects threaten upper South Island tourist industry

Canterbury tourism could be losing permanent ground to Queenstown while Christchurch's convention centre progress remain unclear, industry members say.

Council opens new centre in Halswell

A distinctive new library and community facility opening tomorrow creates a hub for the fast-growing Halswell community.

The garden that love built: 2016 Gardena Gardener of the Year winner announced

Canterbury woman Helen Coker has been named the 2016 Gardena Gardener of the Year by .

Great place to be: Five medium-sized buildings to debate

CERA Wind Up April 2016

With the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) winding up in April 2016, work is now underway to transfer recovery responsibilities to other central and local government agencies, to ensure the long-term recovery and regeneration of greater Christchurch.

For a Locally Led Recovery: Change the Bill

In April 2016, the legislation that enabled the creation of legally binding recovery plans and ministerial leadership over the post-quake recovery of Christchurch finishes. 

Hoping for an urban utopia

Sing Carols at the Pa on December 4

Location: Rehua Marae, 79 Springfield Rd Time: December 4 6 – 8.30pm. Description: Carol singing, entertainment, prizes

Street works till the end of the year

Barbados St between Bealey Ave and Canon St is one-way southbound for a week. Northbound traffic can use Madras St. (interesting to note that SCIRT has categorised this as a “main route.” Do they know something about transport routes in …

UC funding agreement varied

The University of Canterbury and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Hon Steven Joyce have agreed to vary the funding agreement for the University of Canterbury signed 15 September 2014.

Housing New Zealand completes 5000 house repairs in Christchurch

Release: Housing New Zealand

CrownCo promises to deliver Christchurch's rebuild dreams

The man charged with overseeing Christchurch's anchor projects is promising to deliver on the "dreams and aspirations" expressed through the city's  campaign.

Interim Redcliffs decision announced

Education Minister Hekia Parata has made an interim decision to close Redcliffs School in Christchurch because of ongoing concern about the unstable cliff behind the school.

Sumner surf club's new landmark building