Latest News
Government completes Christchurch red zone transfer to council
More than a decade on from the Canterbury earthquakes, the government has completed the transfer of red zone land to the city council.
Crown-owned red zone land along the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor is being returned to the council, marking the end of the government’s post-earthquake responsibilities in the process.
A residential red zone is any of several areas of land in and around Christchurch which experienced severe damage in the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes and were deemed infeasible to rebuild on.
Through voluntary buyouts, the Crown acquired and demolished or removed more than 8000 properties.
Speaking at an on-site event in Dallington on Thursday, Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said it was a fantastic milestone.
“We had the earthquakes and 600-odd hectares of land damaged … the government have done a hell of a lot of work,” Mauger said.
“We’ve had it back in about 10 parcels, we’ve got it all back and we’ve got it back for nothing, he said.
“It is very special and I can’t wait for the pathway to be done, so I can bring my grandkids along … and just have fun out in the open space.”
A number of projects are being consulted on to revitalise the banks of the river corridor, which has already been described as a significant drawcard for residents and visitors to the Garden City.
Minister for Land Information Damien O’Connor and Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger celebrate the final handover of red-zone land from the Crown to the City Council at an event on 3 August, 2023. Photo: RNZ / Adam Burns
The transfer of ownership of the Brooklands, Southshore, South New Brighton and Port Hills regeneration areas back to the city council began three years ago.
But the size and complexity of the 5500 property titles within the corridor meant it took time.
“I’ve done land development with my previous life for a long time and I know how long it takes to get rid of easements,” Mauger said.
“The amount of work and money it would have cost the government to get the land back to us is a big job.”
Minister for Land Information Damien O’Connor, who also attended the Dallington event, said the completion of the transfer was a “major step forward”.
“It goes right back to the council and the people of Christchurch and Canterbury.
“It’s back in the hands of the community where it can be used for, not residential purposes, but many other options and ideas that people have come up with.”
RNZ
The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.
On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.
Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.
In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.
“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.
“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”
VNP / Phil Smith
Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.
That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.
“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.
Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.
Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.
The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.
Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.
Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.
“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”
Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.
rnz
Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large
New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals
Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs
-
Latest News2 months ago‘Chilling’: Business groups speak out against National’s supermarket break-up plan
-
Latest News2 months agoCars bearing Chinese police markings stir unease in Auckland
-
Fiji News2 months agoPlans to have new Constitution by Dec 24th 2026
-
Latest News2 months agoFive Karangahape Road venues lose their liquor licences after police intervention
-
NZ News2 months agoCop who stole $68,000 can now be named as champion Muay Thai fighter Haimona Tamati-Te Paki
-
Politics2 months agoMBIE confirms botched biometric projects costs blown out to $50.7 million
-
NZ News2 months agoNearly 1000 stalking warnings, 140 charges since law came into effect
-
NZ News2 months agoKaikohe man jailed nine years for rape, bat attack and family violence