Debate over future of Akaroa’s last piece of undeveloped, publicly owned commercial land
Wednesday, 22 July 2026
The future of one of the last remaining pieces of undeveloped flat land in Akaroa is uncertain as the council seeks public views on the issue.
The community has mixed opinions on its future use, with some wanting it used for car parking and others for affordable housing for locals, while others still want it developed as a park and a community hub.
One community advocate says most people agree that they do not want Christchurch City Council to sell the land.
The 2968m² site, with a rateable value of $1.5million, is in the northern commercial area of the town’s centre at 67 and 67a Rue Lavaud. It includes the Akaroa Butchery building and the mostly vacant land behind it.
The site is also used by an op shop, the Akaroa Toy Library, Akaroa Community Arts Council, a lolly shop and a local waste management contractor.
The land was bought by the former Banks Peninsula District Council in 2000 and ownership was transferred to the city council following amalgamation in 2006.
It was originally purchased to support employment and economic growth in Akaroa, and while there have been multiple ideas and proposals over the years, there was no agreed strategy, plan or funding, the council said.
It is the only piece of vacant commercially zoned land owned by the council within the Akaroa township.
The council has received “unsolicited proposals” from private developers for the land over the years, and now wants to develop a “clear and agreed strategy” for its future use.
The Banks Peninsula Community Board will make a decision on the future use later this year, following another round of consultation.
Facilities and property head Bruce Rendall said over the past several years the council has undertaken a staged process to understand community views.
“Council recognises that this is an important site for the Akaroa community and that residents are highly engaged in discussions about its future.”
He said there was no clear consensus on the site’s long-term future, but there was clear support for retaining the butchery operation.
No decision had been made regarding the future ownership of any part of the site, Rendall said.
The council will consult the public on five options, all of which include retaining the butchery.
Options include developing the site for short-term use (15 years) for a mix of housing, car parking, and a community hub. It would then be available if needed to help the town adapt to climate change.
Another option is to develop it for purely commercial use or solely for residential.
Ōnuku Rūnanga told the council in 2024 it would be interested in delivering affordable housing in the area, but it wanted to step back and understand what the community thought first.
Long-time Akaroa resident Victoria Andrews said Akaroa did need basic, sensible housing for young workers and families if the township was going to survive.
She said the council seemed to understand that if the land was used for residential purposes that a caveat would be needed to avoid the homes being operated as holiday accommodation.
Andrews said the land was a vital resource in terms of community wellbeing because it was high enough to provide a lifeline as the town adapted to climate change.
No funding has been set aside in current budgets for any work at the site.
Banks Peninsula councillor Tyrone Fields said it was ultimately up to the people of Akaroa and surrounding bays to determine the use of the land.
“There are heaps of different views out there, and slowly but surely we’re refining those views into something that we hope will meet the community aspirations.