A city for people and ideas,
Christchurch is ‘‘on the verge of something spectacular’’ but its rebuild is at ‘ ‘‘an extremely delicate stage’’ warns one of seven influential city leaders asked by The Press to describe the city’s progress on the seventh anniversary of the 2011 deadly
Developer Richard Peebles: Developers, such as Nick Hunt, Phillip Carter, Tim Glasson, Antony Gough and Mike Percasky have played a major role in the revitalisation of Christchurch’s central city.
One, Richard Peebles, was among seven city leaders asked for their vision of the city’s future, the biggest challenge facing it and how they would describe Christchurch in seven words.
Peebles, a key player in several CBD developments including the Little High restaurant complex, the yet-to-be-opened farmers market, Guthrie Centre and eight heritage buildings in High St, says the biggest challenge facing the city is ‘‘uncertainty over anchor projects’’.
‘‘We need them done, we need decisions, we need them started rather than talk and consultants and plans.’’
He is full of hope for the future. ‘‘The farmers market we think is going to have quite a big effect in the CBD on attracting people.’’
Christchurch is ‘‘on the verge of something spectacular’’. ‘‘It’ll be the best city in the bloody world.
Christchurch in seven words: Opportunity, vibrant, exciting, modern, engaging – yet vulnerable. Ota¯ ¯ karo CEO Albert Brantley Albert Brantley, a Canadian who describes himself as a ‘‘professional gypsy’’, has lived in Christchurch for 30 years.
He is in charge of the Crown
development agency responsible for building the convention centre and metro sports facility, but likes to spend his time on site rather than in an office.
He says the city’s biggest challenge is ‘‘getting people to focus on what’s been done rather than what’s not done’’.
‘‘Invariably whenever we talk to people that have come into the city, they start to talk about ‘I never knew that this was all taking place’, so I think we all need to concentrate more on the positive stuff.’’
He is proud of Ota¯karo’s ¯ role in the sale of some Crown land for developments such as the Hoyts cinema on Colombo St, the Oxford Tce farmers market, and the Duncan buildings in High St.
Christchurch in seven words: More than ever, a city for people. City Mayor Lianne Dalziel Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel sees an opportunity to create a 21st-century city with all
the advantages of a much larger city and none of the disadvantages.
She says removing roadblocks is now the city’s biggest challenge.
Private sector investment is behind ‘‘exciting new hospitality and retail offerings’’ and it is now up to the public sector to accelerate the major projects it had committed to, she says.
‘‘The roads aren’t all that needs fixing, but they are the most constant reminder of what has happened and what still needs to be done.
‘‘They need to be brought back to the high standards we enjoyed pre-earthquakes.’’
Dalziel says the new central library Tu¯ ranga will open this year and a restored Town Hall early next year.
Christchurch in seven words: City of Opportunity, where anything is possible. Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods New Greater Christchurch
Regeneration Minister Megan Woods has been busy since taking on the role in October, axing the contract for the metro sports facility and working on an inquiry into the Earthquake Commission among other things.
She says she keeps four questions in mind every time she makes a rebuild-related decision: how does it impact on people, how does it pick up momentum, how does it add value and what does it mean for the future.
Woods wants Christchurch to be a city where locals have a ‘‘sense of excitement about their home’’.
She wants the city to ‘‘find its niche in the world’’ and to be ‘‘truly innovative’’.
Christchurch in seven words: A place full of opportunities for all. Nga¯ i Tahu chief executive Arihia Bennett The biggest challenge facing Christchurch is making sure it develops a real integrated cultural heart, Nga¯i Tahu chief executive Arihia Bennett says. ‘‘We want a place where we can work, play and admire and be engaged in. A city that all
people are involved in.’’
Bennett says the city’s infrastructure needs to be completed so people can come back into the city’s heart and participate again.
Nga¯i Tahu has been heavily involved in the design of many post-quake developments, including Victoria Square and Margaret Mahy Playground, the justice precinct and bus interchange. It has also developed its own sites including subdivisions such as Wigram Skies and the former police station on Hereford St.
Christchurch in seven words: Ka¯ Pa¯tiki Whakatekateka o Waitaha. (The jovial plains of Canterbury that our ancestors settled upon due to its rich bounty). Christchurch Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns Malcolm Johns is calling for decisions to be made on anchor projects.
‘‘There are no perfect decisions, but not making a decision at all is the worst outcome for all stakeholders.’’
He says the projects simply need to be completed as quickly as possible.
‘‘On the basis they are, Christchurch will be an incredible city . . . not so big that it has big-city problems, but big enough to have big city benefits.’’
Johns says Christchurch is ‘‘fast seizing the opportunity to be New Zealand’s newest oldest city’’ with the river area, Cashel St, innovation precinct and hospitality spots ‘‘all providing an ever more positive environment’’ – attracting people back.
Christchurch in seven words: Christchurch: City of Opportunity. ChristchurchNZ chief executive Joanna Norris Former Press editor Joanna Norris took the top job at the city’s promotion and economic development agency ChristchurchNZ in October.
Norris says Christchurch needs to have the self-belief it is an incredible place ‘‘despite, and even because of, the challenges of the past seven years’’. She says globally the city is viewed as beautiful and interesting, able to innovate on a city-wide scale and locals ‘‘need to be prouder’’ of this.
Norris says ChristchurchNZ is ‘‘working incredibly hard to promote Christchurch globally and nationally, support innovative businesses, attract new business to the region, and develop major attractions’’.
Christchurch in seven words: A city of opportunity, ideas and exploration.