Aucklanders' gift to Christchurch

The Auckland Council’s $1.5 million contribution to the Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Fund is to go toward repairing and restoring public spaces and places.

Mayor Len Brown says it is good to see this money going towards projects that will benefit all the people of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.

“It has been heartbreaking to see the devastation caused by the earthquakes and aftershocks, and to know that there is widespread damage to the places that Cantabrians go to for respite and recreation.
“We are delighted that the Christchurch City Council is proposing to use this money on such important projects,” says the Mayor.

Just days after the 22 February earthquake the Auckland Council voted unanimously to give an immediate $1.5 million to the Canterbury earthquake relief effort.

“There was no hesitation – a dollar per Aucklander is the least we could do to show just how much we are getting in behind the effort to rebuild Christchurch,” he says.

Christchurch City Mayor Bob Parker says, “This is an amazing gesture from the people of Auckland to the people of Christchurch. I thank them for their generosity. Many of our open spaces have suffered extensive damage and this generous gift will help greatly to restore them.”

Auckland Council Parks, Sports and Recreation Manager Ian Maxwell visited his counterparts in Christchurch in May and reported back to his council on recommendations for use of the funds.

“We agreed that the best use of the funding would be for small projects that would benefit a wide range of residents, that are not funded by insurance or have funding already allocated, and are in areas where it is appropriate to begin repair work,” says Mr Maxwell.

Projects to be funded include a Rugby World Cup fan zone and events village in Hagley Park, the restoration of the coastal strip of parks between Scarborough Beach and Sumner Beach, replacement of playground surfaces damaged by liquefaction, replacement of trees in Hagley Park and South New Brighton Domain where significant numbers of mature trees have been damaged, repair work in eastern suburbs parks, and restoration work in the Port Hills area.

A report will be going to the 28 July meeting of the Christchurch City Council to seek formal acceptance of the gift into the Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Relief Fund.