The $45m question over ‘exciting’ fresh plan to restore Christ Church Cathedral
Friday, 12 September 2025
Supporters of a downsized scheme to reinstate and reopen Christ Church Cathedral are being asked to put their money where their mouths are.
The plan, revealed by Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd (CCRL) on Thursday, will see the western part of the earthquake-damaged building restored and reopened by 2030. Work restarts early next year.
CCRL director Mark Stewart said the plan halves the financial shortfall, which saw the project mothballed last year, to between $40 million and $45m.
He acknowledged they are again going cap in hand to taxpayers, ratepayers, and private interests, especially nearby landlords.
“Christchurch and New Zealand get the benefit of having a functioning central city and a functioning Cathedral Square,” he said.
“A lot is happening in Christchurch, but we’ve got this blight on our landscape … We must finish it for the city.”
Stewart said a re-energised square and an open cathedral as a tourist attraction would give the city an annual $20m boost. The original decision to save the Anglican cathedral was made as a partnership with the council and government, he said.
He agreed they have been put under pressure to take action as Cathedral Square languishes. The area fenced off for the project includes a swathe of public land.
Under the new plan, CCRL will complete the 700-seat nave, 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 for future restoration.
Bishop Peter Carrell said he is ambitious for the project, but they “cannot restore with uncertainty” and must get financial pledges firmed up.
Last year Finance Minister Nicola Willis’s refusal to contribute more cash, on top of the $25m already given by the government, helped trigger the decision to mothball.
On Thursday Willis told The Press that while she has not seen details of the new proposal, “the bar for investing additional taxpayer money in a private religious space is pretty high”.
“That is especially the case when New Zealand has pressing health, education and public infrastructure needs.”
South Island Minister James Meager said he is happy to engage with CCRL, but any future contribution would need to be balanced against other funding needs.
“I’m encouraged by the opportunity for a community-led restoration where locals and businesses drive revival of the square.”
A CCRL spokesperson said they have received pledges worth “millions” since approaching local business interests.
Cathedral Square landlord Philip Carter said: “It is encouraging to see plans for the cathedral moving forward, and I am supportive of this progress.
“Cathedral Square is a vital part of our city, and seeing it fully developed, with the cathedral completed, will be of great benefit to Christchurch.”
Fellow landlord Gordon Chamberlain also said the plan would not help his restored but vacant heritage Post Office building “due to the square still being a construction zone for years to come”.
“I’ve been paying substantial rates to the council even though the square has been virtually closed off, and the Post Office vacant”.
Neither Carter nor Chamberlain would say whether they have been asked by CCRL to pledge money, or whether they have done so.
Ben Bridge, a director of Emmons Developments NZ Ltd, which is restoring the former Noahs Hotel and owns Cathedral Square land behind it, said the 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.”
The partial restoration has been costed at $90m to $95m, of which CCRL is confident of securing $50m. This comprises $20m from the future sale of the Transitional Cathedral, $10m previously committed by the city council from a ratepayer levy, and $20m in pledged donations.
About $88m has already been spent on the strengthening and repairs, including $25m from taxpayers and $33m from insurance.
Cathedral Dean Ben Truman said they are “excited with this plan to get the doors open, the bells ringing, and the square alive again”.
“Until there is a resolution, the private sector will remain reluctant to unlock investment in the properties around the square fully.”
Earlier year the city council paused its ratepayer levy after work stopped. Of the $10m committed, it has paid $3m to CCRL and has $5m banked.
A city council spokesperson said the council has worked closely with CCRL on the new plan, and is “aware that further funding is required to reopen the cathedral”.
“Any funding request would need to be consulted on and considered through the next annual plan process.”
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said he “takes [his] 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 said it was “great news”, and called for the council to be involved.
“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.”