Council moves to restore our iconic buildings
Chrsitchurch City Council Newsline: 12th May 2026
Christchurch City Council has proposed using $35.8 million of the forecast $44.4 million saved in costs from its annual budget and putting it towards restoring the remaining big four earthquake-damaged ‘iconic’ heritage buildings.
The proposal from the Finance and Performance Committee Chair Sam MacDonald and Deputy Chair Jake McLellan comes as the Mayor and councillors consider the 5888 submissions on the issue as part of its Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 process.
The submissions show broad support for restoring the four iconic buildings, but each has different levels of backing.
Submitters were asked their perspective on ratepayers providing financial support to restoring Canterbury Museum, Canterbury Provincial Chambers, Christ Church Cathedral and Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.
The Mayor and Councillors today received an analysis of the submissions at a workshop.
Read an analysis of the submissions.
Cr MacDonald, who chaired the workshop, says the proposal to go ahead with allocating money towards the long-awaited restorations will help give certainty to a complex funding process.
“There comes a point where we need to make some decisions, provide certainty to the various players willing to bring funding to the table, and help fill these final holes at the heart of our city.
“This is our chance to finally put these long-running rebuild debates behind us once and for all, and is the Council’s full and final commitment,” Cr MacDonald says.
“Leadership means making hard decisions in the long-term interests of the city instead of leaving difficult issues unresolved year after year.
“Importantly, because we’d be using our $44.4 million surplus, our proposal wouldn’t increase rates and the balance would still go toward reducing the Council’s debt.”
It’s estimated that the total funding gap between the projected restoration costs and all confirmed contributions is approximately $290 million. Closing this gap would require funding from multiple sources, including central government, and normally any contribution the Council makes would have an impact on rates increases.
Interim Chief Executive Bede Carran says although there’s support across all demographics for restoring the city’s heritage, it comes with conditions.
“Our community emphasised that these buildings are a vital part of Christchurch’s identity, and represent some of the final missing pieces in our post-quake regeneration. For many, restoring them represents unfinished business and a chance to leave an intergenerational legacy.
“However, people want any investment to be affordable, disciplined and balanced against the community’s other priorities. That will be the challenge of this elected council as they prepare for next year’s Long Term Plan process, which is where the big funding decisions get made.
“Rather than ask about individual buildings, we consulted on the idea in general, but submitters did take the opportunity to share their views on each building.”
There was strong support for Canterbury Museum receiving Council funding, much of it via the Museum’s ‘Stand Up For Your Museum’ campaign. Submitters emphasised the Museum’s cultural and educational value, as well as its role as a tourist destination.
Submissions on Christ Church Cathedral differ from other buildings, with more explicit opposition to the idea of the Council funding its restoration. Supporters of further Council funding highlighted the Cathedral’s significance to the city’s identity and its role as a broader community facility, beyond its religious use.
Funding options
Councillors have the opportunity to confirm funding to restore these iconic buildings in June, when they approve the Annual Plan 2026/27.
The Council will consider the community’s views alongside the national significance of the buildings, their economic and cultural value, and the potential for co-funding from other partners.
At this stage, the Council’s proposed option is to use the forecast 2025/26 operating surplus to allocate money to the priority projects.
Canterbury Museum and Christ Church Cathedral would each receive $15 million, on the condition the Government also contributes $15 million to each, among other conditions.
Another $1.8 million from the surplus would complete collection of the Christ Church Cathedral targeted rate.
The Council would also provide a loan to the Museum of $28.6 million, to be paid back by the Museum from an international visitor levy.
If the conditions can’t be met, the allocated money would go towards repaying Council debt.