OARC Red Zone aerial image. Credit: CCC Newsline
In late 2015 as the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) wound down, we took over responsibility for managing Crown-owned residential red zone land and the Crown’s land acquisitions for Christchurch anchor projects.
Read more about the anchor projects
In 2019, we led the transfer of Crown-owned residential red zone land to local leaders in Waimakariri. That same year, we started the progressive transfer to Christchurch City Council of red-zoned land along the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, the Port Hills, Brooklands, Southshore and South New Brighton.
Transferring ownership of Crown-owned red zone land along the river corridor was the final stage of this phased process and was a huge achievement in itself.
Following thousands of site clearances, we reconfigured about 5,500 property titles across 600 hectares. This work included stopping roads, cleansing and amalgamating property titles, and creating new fit-for-purpose lots that could be used immediately for regeneration purposes.
While we managed the river corridor land, we facilitated more than 2,800 temporary land uses, including about 150 short-term projects and events.
- Watch a 2020 video about some of the 2,800 projects we facilitated while managing land in the river corridor: In the Zone
Areas managed by Christchurch City Council are now known as regeneration areas and their development is underway.
Read more about the regeneration areas
The Christchurch City Council land transfer was part of the September 2019 Global Settlement Agreement, a contract between the Crown and Council to finalise the remaining costs and responsibilities for Christchurch’s earthquake recovery and regeneration.
Related news
- 2021: Final Christchurch red zone demolition underway
- 2021: Surveying starts in river red zone
- 2021: Native plants transforming red zone – and the students who are planting them
- 2021: Artworks inject colour into Christchurch red zone
- 2021: Racing drones emerging sport in Christchurch red zone
- 2020: Read about the land transfer and gifting of Bill Sutton House
- 2020: Transfer of Crown-owned residential red zone land management underway
Progress timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| June 2023 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone – completion of land transfer of 600ha to Christchurch City Council. |
| Oct 2021 | Christchurch red zone – final demolition completed out in the red zone, signalling the end of this massive 10-year site clearance programme. |
| June 2021 | Canterbury Multi-Use Arena - we acquired final land required for this anchor project. Land acquisitions for Christchurch anchor projects |
| May 2021 | Port Hills red zone - we transferred ownership of about 80ha of Crown-owned land to the Council. |
| Mar 2021 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone - we gifted red-zoned house to Richmond Community Gardens Trust to run on behalf of the wider community. |
| Dec 2020 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone - we worked in partnership with the Council to develop 29 scheme plans for the property title reconfiguration. |
| Dec 2020 | Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre - we acquired final land required for this anchor project. |
| Nov 2020 | South Frame Anchor Project - we brokered agreement for final land acquisition. |
| Sep 2020 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone - we gifted fully renovated historic Sutton House to the Council. |
| Aug 2020 | Brooklands, Southshore/South New Brighton red zone - we transferred ownership of 70ha of Crown-owned land to the Council. |
| 1 Jul 2020 | Brooklands, Southshore/South New Brighton and Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zones - we transferred management of 6,000 Crown-owned properties to the Council. |
| May 2020 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone - we completed review of 16,300 interests in nearly 5,500 property titles. |
| May 2020 | Te Tira Kāhikuhiku - Community-based consultative group established by the Council and LINZ to provide recommendations on red zone temporary land-use applications. Te Tira Kāhikuhiku |
| Mar 2020 | Performing Arts Precinct - Te Whare Tapere - we acquired final piece of land needed for this anchor project. |
| 23 Sep 2019 | Global Settlement Agreement signed between the Crown and Council, focusing on the transition to local leadership. |
| Aug 2019 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor - Regeneration Plan approved. |
| May 2019 | The Pines Beach and Kairaki - we lead the transfer of about 5ha of Crown-owned land to Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust. |
| Apr 2019 | Residential Red Zone Crown offers close. |
| Mar 2019 | Kaiapoi - we lead the transfer of about 80ha of Crown-owned land to Waimakariri District Council as part of delivering the Waimakariri Recovery Plan. |
| Aug 2018 | Final Residential Red Zone voluntary Crown offer announced. |
| Jun 2018 | Kaiapoi, Kairaki and The Pines Beach - Land transfer agreements signed for about 65ha of Crown-owned land. |
| Dec 2016 | Waimakariri Residential Red Zone - Recovery Plan approved. |
| Apr 2016 | Wind-up of CERA – full transfer of management responsibilities to Toitū Te Whenua for Crown-owned red zone and central city land. |
| Dec 2015 | CERA operational responsibilities start transferring to Toitū Te Whenua. |
| Jun 2011 | Voluntary Crown offer process starts for the worst-affected earthquake-damaged areas, known as the residential red zones. |
| Apr 2011 | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) established. |
| 22 Feb 2011 | Magnitude 6.3 Canterbury earthquake, centred on Christchurch. |
| 4 Sep 2010 | Magnitude 7.1 Canterbury earthquake, centred near Darfield. |