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Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the appointment of two contractors for Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) in the Metro Sports Facility is another important milestone in the development of what will be a multi-generational asset for the city.

“In order to keep some competition in the process, we have awarded the ECI contract for stage one to two contractors – a joint venture between Australian company CPB and Christchurch-based Southbase, and Leighs Cockram Joint Venture Ltd,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed unanimous support for the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill during its third and final reading in Parliament today.

“Five years on from the February 22 earthquake, the Parliament of New Zealand continues its full support for the people of Canterbury as they go from strength to strength,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has acknowledged the time, effort and work by all parties in Parliament to reach a consensus position for the second reading of the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill.

All parties supported the Bill at first reading, and subsequent to the select committee process, have continued discussions to ensure there was as broad as possible agreement on a structure that would be best suited for Christchurch’s ongoing regeneration.  

Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee says the Community Forum has met for the last time, signalling the end of an era for the group that has significantly influenced the recovery of greater Christchurch.

The Forum was established in 2011 under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act to provide information and advice to the Minister and Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery. In June that year, the Minister invited local community groups across Christchurch to nominate members to represent them at the Forum.

A new community barbecue area will be added to the Margaret Mahy Family Playground in the coming months thanks to the generosity of ANZCO Foods, Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee says. 

The community barbecue area will contain four electric barbecues as well as food preparation benches, a water supply and a landscaped seating area. It will be located in the north-eastern corner of the playground, bound by the Ōtākaro/Avon river and the carpark. 

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says that thousands of Cantabrians have received free counselling and support with their accommodation expenses since the earthquakes five years ago, and that help continues to be available for those that need it.

“We are well aware that for many people, young and old, the trauma continues especially around the anniversary and following the recent large earthquake on Valentine’s Day,” says Mrs Tolley.

Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee says the people of Canterbury can be enormously proud of what they have achieved in the past five years.

“As we mark the fifth anniversary of the February 22 earthquake, it’s a chance to reflect on how far we have all come,” Mr Brownlee says.

“From a devastated city and communities so badly affected, people have gone from strength to strength and an exciting new city is taking shape.

Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Nicky Wagner says Sunday’s earthquake provides a timely reminder that it is OK for people to reach out and take advantage of the free counselling and support services on offer.

“The Valentine’s Day quake has certainly rattled peoples’ nerves again and for some it has brought back some difficult memories of those big quakes of 2010 and 2011,” Ms Wagner says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today confirmed the incorporation of Ōtākaro Limited, the new Crown company to oversee the work on major projects in the central city.

“We chose the name Ōtākaro in reference to the importance and vitality of the Avon/ Ōtākaro River,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Everyone involved in the recovery should be proud of how far we have come in the last few years. Greater Christchurch is performing well and attracting interest from all over the world.

Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Nicky Wagner has welcomed an agreement reached for a community garden and food hub on Crown-owned land in central Christchurch.

“The community garden, called Ōtākaro Orchard, is a great partnership between the Crown as landowner and the Food Resilience Network as operators on behalf of the community,” Ms Wagner says.

The redevelopment of the Lyttelton Port in Canterbury will play a significant role in the future economic growth and prosperity of the South Island by boosting jobs and trade, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee say.

On the same day trade ministers from around the world signed the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, Mr English formally opened the Cashin Quay 2 Wharf, an $85 million expansion that will increase the Port’s ability to grow trade in the coming decades.

Christchurch’s hugely popular new Margaret Mahy Family Playground will have even more exciting features added in the coming months, says Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Nicky Wagner.

“Since the playground opened just before Christmas, we estimate that well over 100,000 people have visited, and the feedback has on the whole been extremely positive,” Ms Wagner says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced an extension of a lease on Crown-owned land to enable the iconic Re:START Mall more time operating at its current site.

The innovative container mall, which opened in 2011, is situated on a mix of Crown and privately owned land.

“The Government and Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust have backed the Re:START Mall from the beginning due to its important role in bringing locals and visitors into the central city after the earthquakes,” Mr Brownlee says.