Christchurch
Ready to Face the Future
Christchurch has always had a reputation for being the "most English" of New Zealand's cities, thanks to its tree-lined Avon River and beautiful parks and gardens. Many have been drawn to the city for its beauty and vibrant culture, and although Christchurch has been hit hard by the recent earthquakes, rebuilding is now underway with the optimism that reflects the spirit of its residents. Despite the loss of many of Christchurch's heritage buildings in the CBD, exciting new plans are in the pipeline to redevelop the city centre.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says: "Both the Christchurch City Council and Central Government are 100% committed to the rebuild of this city. While the aftershocks [have been] a blow to many of our spirits, the focus is still on rebuilding and looking forward to a stronger, more vibrant city."
Mr Parker says things are still on track to release a draft plan for the rebuild in August 2011, and that so far the Christchurch council had received 78,000 ideas from people including professionals, community groups and schools. Green spaces and low-rise buildings have been the main themes to emerge, and mayor Bob Parker says he hopes to deliver a vision everyone will be happy with.
"We're going to hand over a document [to Christchurch council] that we hope encapsulates the hopes, visions and aspirations of the people of Christchurch," he said.
The Vision for Christchurch
Since the earthquakes, the government has appointed the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority to co-ordinate Christchurch’s rehabilitation, and to support the welfare of its residents. Earthquake Recovery spokesperson MP Kennedy Graham has hinted at a new city and surrounds that will reflect the latest technology:
"We have a unique opportunity to develop a strategic vision for a new city based on 21st century values and technology," he said.
CERA chief executive Roger Sutton says one of the most energising aspects of his job is “how passionate people are about living here; and how willing they are to contribute to its future. We really want to harness some of this passion for the Recovery Strategy.”
People will also be able to make submissions online at www.cera.govt.nz or pick up a submission form from council offices and public libraries.
The information gathered from the community will be used by CERA to produce a Recovery Strategy for the region by the end of 2011, in keeping with the requirements of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011.Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Recovery Strategy will set directions and priorities for recovery across five main areas:
- Community well-being
- Built environment
- Natural environment
- The economy
- Culture and heritage
Canterbury Region
Christchurch lies on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, in the Canterbury region, and is home to nearly 350,000 people. The regional economy relies heavily on the primary produce of its surrounds: vegetables, specialist horticultural produce, grains, grapes, meat, dairy, timber, wool and aquaculture. Tourism, software development, manufacturing, electronics and education also contribute to the economy of the Canterbury region.
The Canterbury Development Corporation is responsible for promoting economic development and sustainable employment in the Christchurch. Simon Worthington, a spokesperson for CDC, says: “We’re really excited about the plans we have for the CBD, and confident Christchurch will once again be one of the most beautiful and safe cities in the world.”
Christchurch Climate
Christchurch is, like many say, a city of contrasts. Its inhabitants have a choice between hitting the mountain slopes during the ski season or sunbathing on one of the region’s beaches during the summer months.
The region has a mild climate, with minimum temperatures ranging from 1.7°C in July and 12.2°C in January, and maximum temperatures going from 11.3°C in July and 22.5°C in January.
Other Christchurch facts
- Maori oral history suggests that people first inhabited the Canterbury area about a thousand years ago.
- The first Europeans landed in Canterbury in 1815, 45 years after Captain James Cook sighted what he named "Banks Island", later found to be a peninsula.
- Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July, 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand.
- Christchurch has a history of involvement in Antarctic exploration – both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton used the port of Lyttelton as a departure point for expeditions, and there is a statue of Scott, sculpted by his widow, Kathleen Scott, in the central city.
- The usual Māori name for Christchurch is Ōtautahi ("the place of Tautahi").
Click here to read more about Christchurch community Pegasus Town.