New plan will reopen Christ Church Cathedral by 2030

Thursday, 11 September 2025

A new plan for Christ Church Cathedral has been revealed, involving restoration of only part of the building and a reopening by 2030.

Work starting early next year will complete the nave (main seating area), restore the rose window, and rebuild the entranceway and bell tower.

The unrestored eastern end - containing the chancel, apse and transept - will be walled off.

The new plan, announced today by Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd (CCRL), still has a $40 million to $45m funding gap.

A graphic showing the internal layout of the Christ Church Cathedral from 2030.

The announcement follows ongoing calls for a solution to the impasse in Cathedral Square, where foot traffic is low and property owners overlooking the cathedral have struggled to fill premises.

Cathedral Dean Ben Truman said the development is a huge step forward for the earthquake-damaged building and the city. The reopened building will hold 700 seats, the altar, and an organ. The remaining restoration will be done as a later stage.

A new plan has been launched to partially rebuild the quake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral and reopen it to the public in 2030.

“We’re excited with this plan to get the doors open, the bells ringing, and the Square alive again,” said Truman.

It is 13 months since CCRL, the company formed to undertake the reinstatement on behalf of the Anglican diocese, said it would halt work indefinitely due to an insurmountable $85m budget shortfall on the full quarter-billion-dollar restoration.

The partial restoration has been costed at $90 million to $95m, of which CCRL is confident of securing $50m. That comprises $20m from the church mainly from the future sale of the Transitional Cathedral, $10m previously committed by the city council from a ratepayer levy, and $20m in fundraising and donations.

A CCRL spokesperson said they hope to tap both private and public sources for the remaining $40m to $45m needed.

Christ Church Cathedral Dean Ben Truman says it will be exciting to get the doors open and the bells ringing again.

About $88m has already been spent on the strengthening and repairs, including $25m from taxpayers and $33m from insurance.

CCRL director Mark Stewart said since stopping work last year they have made “significant progress” reviewing and costing their options.

An artist's impression of how the partially rebuilt Christ Church Cathedral will look.

The new plan will restore the original parts of the cathedral as built in the late 19th century, leaving until last the building’s later additions.

Stewart said the plan will bring the hoardings down and help revitalise the Square. The rest of the restoration would be done in future, with no timeframe specified.

Christ Church Cathedral as it stands, mothballed and behind high fences.

The area now fenced off for the project includes a swathe of public land.

“It is important for the city’s sake that we get this project moving. Christchurch’s central city is thriving and while its revitalisation is often lauded, the cathedral is an obstacle to further progress,” Stewart said.

Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited director Mark Stewart.

“Until there is a resolution, the private sector will remain reluctant to unlock investment in the properties around the Square fully.”

Ben Bridge, a director of Emmons Developments NZ Ltd which is restoring the former Noahs hotel and owns the Cathedral Square land behind it, said the partial restoration plan would help revive the area.

“Cathedral Square is the last piece of the puzzle in terms of the rebuild of the CBD. Providing certainty with respect to the cathedral will give the investment community confidence to develop the area around it fully.”

Last year the Government refused a request from CCRL for more money. The city council has paused its ratepayer levy after work stopped. It has paid $3m to CCRL and has $5m banked.

The decision has pleased Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger.

“I take my hat off to the team trying to pull together a solution in difficult times. Good on the Cathedral team for looking at different options to bring the cathedral back to life.”

City councillor and mayoral candidate Sara Templeton called for the council to be involved.

“It's great news that the cathedral now has a staged proposal for reinstatement that will see it open in a few years time.

“I'm hoping for closer and more strategic engagement between the reinstatement team, Council, central government and residents as a way is found to fund and restart the project and enliven the Square as the vibrant and active centre of the city again.”

Historian Te Maire Tau, ūpoko of Ngāi Tahu hapu Ngāi Tūāhuriri, said the cathedral, like marae, was the centre and heart of the community: “It needs to be rebuilt, valued.”

Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said the plan was “achievable”.

“The current state of both the cathedral and the Square does Christchurch no favours and, as Christchurch evolves into New Zealand’s most desirable city, we risk this area holding us back in terms of growth.”

Have your say: What do you think of the new plan, and who should plug the $40 million funding gap? Share your views in the comments.