Minutes of Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee

Karakia mō te Tīmatataka Opening Incantation

Whakataka te hau ki te uru 

Whakataka te hau ki te tonga

Kia mākinakina ki uta 

Kia mātaratara ki tai 

E hī ake ana te atakura 

He tio, he huka, he hau hū 

Tīhei Mauri Ora 

Cease the winds from the west 

Cease the winds from the south 

Let the breeze blow over the land 

Let the breeze blow over the sea 

Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air. 

A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day 

Election of a Chair

Committee Resolved GCPC/2025/00001

The Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee resolved that Chair Craig Pauling be appointed Chairperson of the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee for todays meeting.

Gail Gordon/Mayor Dan Gordon Carried

Environment Canterbury Chair Craig Pauling assumed the Chair.

1. Apologies Ngā Whakapāha

Committee Resolved GCPC/2025/00002

That the apologies from Councillor Henstock, James Caygill and Dr Anna Stevenson for absence, and Jane Huria for a late arrival be accepted.

Mayor Phil Mauger/Mayor Sam Broughton Carried

2. Declarations of Interest Ngā Whakapuaki Aronga

There were no declarations of interest recorded.

3. Deputations by Appointment Ngā Huinga Whakaritenga

There were no deputations by appointment.

4. Confirmation of Previous Minutes Te Whakaāe o te hui o mua

Committee Resolved GCPC/2025/00003

That the minutes of the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee meeting held on Friday, 13 December 2024 be confirmed.

Councillor Niki Mealings/Councillor Grant Edge Carried

5. Secretariat and Work Programme Update

Committee Comment

1. In reference to the government directions watching brief, changes to the Building Consent Authority could bring opportunity. It was noted that this is being discussed at the Canterbury Mayoral Forum. The Secretariat will stay connected.

2. Commencement of the blue-green strategy was queried, this was not prioritised by the Committee in this years’ work programme so has not been progressed at this stage.

3. It was noted that the work programme doesn’t include forward looking milestones which would be useful to see. Reporting to the Committee will change from the next meeting, in May, when the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan Implementation Plan and annual report will be provided. This will include forward work programme including key actions and milestones.

Officer Recommendation accepted without change

Committee Resolved GCPC/2025/00004

Part C

That the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee:

1. Receives and notes the Greater Christchurch Partnership secretariat and work programme update.

Mayor Sam Broughton/Councillor Grant Edge Carried

6. Mass Rapid Transit - Project Update
	Committee Comment 1. The work of staff was acknowledged. It was noted that at a meeting with Minister Bishop last week there was a positive conversation around MRT. A priority is to make sure the corridors are protected. 2. Members are keen to progress this work at pace and provide support to Christchurch City Council who are leading this work. Funding may need to be brought forward to better resource the project. 3. It was noted the next Committee report is planned for the end of the year. The Mayors and Chair would like to continue to advocate for MRT with the Minister and so would like an interim update that could support a further conversation. The timing for this update is to be confirmed.
	Officer Recommendations Ngā Tūtohu That the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee: 1. Receive the update on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project next steps 2. Notes that the initial focus of the MRT project development now being led by Christchurch City Council remains consistent with the Hornby to Belfast extents included in the MRT Indicative Business Case (MRT-IBC) and endorsed by the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti in May 2023 as the preferred option 3. Endorses the 2025-27 MRT work programme approach outlined in this report which proposes a focus, for this first stage of work, being on: a. Route protection of the preferred MRT corridor endorsed in the Indicative Business Case b. Alignment with related Greater Christchurch and Crown work programmes c. Maintaining a national profile 4. Notes that the preferred option in the MRT-IBC includes proposed improvements to Waimakariri and Selwyn District (District) public transport connections and this alongside longer-term considerations will be included in the next stage of the detailed business case development programme. 5. Notes that consideration of how these future District public transport outcomes will be achieved, will require further actions and tasks to be outlined, timelines developed and a development pathway (including responsible agencies) to be agreed by the Partnership. 6. Notes that a subsequent progress update on the delivery of the MRT and wider Greater Christchurch Public Transport Improvements Programme is intended to be provided to the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee in late 2025.
	Committee Resolved GCPC/2025/00005 Part C That the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee: 1. Receive the update on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project next steps 2. Notes that the initial focus of the MRT project development now being led by Christchurch City Council remains consistent with the Hornby to Belfast extents included in the MRT Indicative Business Case (MRT-IBC) and endorsed by the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti in May 2023 as the preferred option 3. Endorses the 2025-27 MRT work programme approach outlined in this report which proposes a focus, for this first stage of work, being on: a. Route protection of the preferred MRT corridor endorsed in the Indicative Business Case b. Alignment with related Greater Christchurch and Crown work programmes c. Maintaining a national profile 4. Notes that the preferred option in the MRT-IBC includes proposed improvements to Waimakariri and Selwyn District (District) public transport connections and this alongside longer-term considerations will be included in the next stage of the detailed business case development programme. 5. Notes that consideration of how these future District public transport outcomes will be achieved, will require further actions and tasks to be outlined, timelines developed and a development pathway (including responsible agencies) to be agreed by the Partnership. 6. Notes that a subsequent progress update on the delivery of the MRT and wider Greater Christchurch Public Transport Improvements Programme is intended to be provided to the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee in late 2025. 7. Requests that staff prepare an update to support the Committee with their conversations with the Minister. Mayor Phil Mauger/Councillor Sara Templeton Carried

7. Greater Christchurch Transport Plan

Committee Comment

1. Mana whenua reiterated their position that Māori reserve land be must be protected through any transport implementation.

2. The impact of RMA Fast Track applications was queried. Staff noted it is too early to say yet. However, the impact of any decisions will be considered in terms of both the GC Transport and Spatial Plans to see if amendment required.

3. At this stage partners do not require individual briefings.

Officer Recommendation accepted without change

Committee Resolved GCPC/2025/00006

Part C

That the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee:

1. Receive the Draft Greater Christchurch Transport Plan for review.

2. Note the next steps for the Greater Christchurch Transport Plan.

3. Confirm if further wider Partner Governance briefings are required.

Mayor Sam Broughton/Councillor Sara Templeton Carried

Councillor Templeton left the meeting at 10.26 am during Item 8 and returned at 10.29 am during the same item.

8. Joint Housing Action Plan Partner Council Briefing Update

John Bartels, Strategic Projects Lead, Greater Christchurch Partnership tabled a presentation which he spoke to. Feedback was received that while some options were not favoured i.e. inclusionary zone and targeted rates, everything should be progressed to the next stage to provide the detail required to inform decision making.

Attachments

a Joint Housing Action Plan Partner Council Briefing Update ⇨

9. Greater Christchurch Partnership Review
	Committee Comment 1. Option 1 was supported by the Committee. However, the Committee would like to add in the key question from option 2 “What opportunities are there to enhance either the combined work of the GCP and CMF to advance Canterbury’s diverse interests?” 2. Chair Pauling was elected to the position of Interim Chair unopposed.
	Officer Recommendations Ngā Tūtohu That the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee: 1. Approves [Option 1 or 2] as the Terms of Reference for the Greater Christchurch Partnership Review (Attachment A). 2. Agrees to the appointment of an Interim Chair until the review is concluded, and the committee has considered the recommendations. Noting this is a temporary variation of the Memorandum of Agreement. 3. Agrees that if more than one nomination is received for the Interim Chair, to use voting system [A or B] in the election of an Interim Chair. 4. Appoints [insert name] to the role of Interim Chair the Greater Christchurch Partnership.
	Committee Resolved GCPC/2025/00007 Part C That the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee: 1. Approves Option 1 as the Terms of Reference for the Greater Christchurch Partnership Review (Attachment A) 3. Agrees to the appointment of an Interim Chair until the review is concluded, and the committee has considered the recommendations. Noting this is a temporary variation of the Memorandum of Agreement. 4. Appoints Chair Craig Pauling to the role of Interim Chair the Greater Christchurch Partnership. Mayor Sam Broughton/Mayor Dan Gordon Carried

Karakia – Whakakapi Closing Incantation

Given by Chair Craig Pauling

Meeting concluded at10.50 am.

CONFIRMED THIS 6th DAY OF MAY 2025