Makeover for industrial Cashel Street
Christchurch City Council Newsline: 28th January 2025
A splash of colour and increased tree canopy have added vibrancy to an industrial evolving Central City street.
A new mural, seating, trees and cycle stands have been installed on Cashel Street between Barbadoes Street and Fitzgerald Avenue to increase the amenity of the area east of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha.
This section of Cashel Street has historically been commercial and industrial, but is increasingly home to new businesses, community services and residents, with more than 70 new homes in the area since 2022.
“We developed the plan for these upgrades hand-in-hand with local community organisations and businesses Tagata Moana Trust, Elim Church, Youth and Cultural Development and Nifty to understand what would make a difference to people who use this street every day,” Christchurch City Council Head of Planning and Consents Mark Stevenson said.
Making the area a key community destination was identified as the priority with Tagata Moana students saying they wanted more communal places to hang out.
“The increased tree canopy, colour, seating and bike stands are all low-cost, quick wins that can trial new ways to use the street before it’s permanently renewed,” Mr Stevenson said.
Nifty second-hand store owner Rosie Carroll said they loved supporting more people cycling.
“A big number of our customers bike to our store, and there weren’t many opportunities for people to park their bike - so we would often let people bring their bikes into the store while they shop!” she said.
“Being a second-hand clothing store, we are always looking to promote ways for people to reduce our footprint, so we're really excited to support cycling to the store - the city is so easy to get around on a bike now, and we're stoked to be a small part of it.”
A vibrant mural by artist Kophie Su’a-Hulsbosch was also delivered as part of the improvements in collaboration with Tagata Moana, Elim Church, and Youth and Cultural Development.
The mural on Elim Church's wall at 285 Cashel Street shows a young Samoan wāhine surround by Pacific and Aotearoa native flora.
The Tuālima on her hand symbolise her ancestors and protection, while the symbols at her fingertips represent the Fa'agogo (seabird) represent navigation and guidance.
The mural honours the historical and cultural journeys of Pacific peoples, celebrating their exploration and cultural interconnectedness. It also highlights the impact of rising sea levels due to climate change, particularly on Pacific Islands like Tuvalu.
The work was delivered by the Council’s Enliven Places Programme which develops smaller scale amenity and activation improvements.
“These projects have kickstarted delivery of the South-East Central Neighbourhood Plan which was approved by the Council last year to help grow the number of people living in the Central City” Mr Stevenson said.
“Encouraging growth in this area will help create a vibrant, green and thriving city centre.”