Investing in Greater Christchurch's potential to better power NZ's future growth
Christchurch City Council Newsline: 21st September 2026
The Greater Christchurch Partnership has agreed strengthened advocacy priorities to champion the planning, funding, financing and transport investment needed to support one of New Zealand's fastest growing urban areas.
At its September meeting, the Partnership reaffirmed its commitment to advocating with a stronger collective voice for the policy and investment settings needed to manage urban growth across the sub-region and support Greater Christchurch's increasing contribution to New Zealand's economy and prosperity.
Greater Christchurch is home to most of Canterbury's population and sits at the heart of the South Island economy, making a significant contribution to New Zealand through business growth, exports, innovation and investment.
The Partnership has identified two key advocacy priorities:
- Getting the system settings right for manageable urban growth - Enabling sustainable growth through appropriate planning, funding and financing settings.
- Seeking a share of transport funding that reflects our contribution to New Zealand - Securing increased investment in transport, including for Public Transport Futures and Greater Christchurch Mass Rapid Transit.
The Partnership's advocacy reflects Greater Christchurch's growing economic and population contribution to New Zealand, and the need for policy, funding and investment settings that support continued growth while ensuring infrastructure and service provision can be delivered sustainably.
From the Mana Whenua representatives of the Partnership: We plan for generations, not election cycles. We support growth, but growth must be matched by the infrastructure, investment and policy settings needed to sustain it. Greater Christchurch makes a significant contribution to New Zealand's prosperity, and it is reasonable to expect national investment to reflect that contribution. Our focus is ensuring the decisions made today create enduring benefits for our people, our environment and the generations that follow.
Christchurch Mayor, Phil Mauger said national investment in Greater Christchurch would generate benefits far beyond the region.
"Greater Christchurch is the South Island's largest urban area and a major contributor to New Zealand's economy. As our share of the country's population and economic activity continues to grow, national investment should more closely reflect the role our region plays in supporting New Zealand's productivity, exports and economic resilience."
"We are asking for settings that allow us to continue growing while ensuring infrastructure and public services can keep pace with demand."
Waimakariri Mayor, Dan Gordon said coordinated planning and equitable funding was essential to delivering sustainable growth.
"The challenge is not whether our communities will continue to grow, but how we manage that growth well."
"We need funding and planning tools that support long-term development and ensure existing communities are not left carrying an unfair share of future costs."
Selwyn Mayor, Lydia Gliddon said local and central government needed to work together to address growth pressures.
"Greater Christchurch continues to attract people, businesses and investment because it offers opportunity, affordability and an outstanding quality of life."
"To maintain that momentum, we need a genuine partnership approach to funding the infrastructure and services that growing communities require."
The Partnership is also advocating for a greater share of National Land Transport Programme funding that more accurately reflects Greater Christchurch's contribution to the New Zealand economy and its share of the national population, alongside government support for the delivery of key transport projects identified in national infrastructure planning.
This includes progressing Public Transport Futures improvements and the development and delivery of a Mass Rapid Transit network for Greater Christchurch.
Environment Canterbury Chair – Deon Swiggs said transport investment was critical to supporting both Christchurch’s future growth and long-term resilience.
"A well-connected Greater Christchurch is essential to economic productivity, access to jobs, housing choice and reducing emissions. Just as importantly, it helps build the resilience our communities need to respond to future challenges."
"We’ve seen the consequence when investment doesn’t keep pace with growth. Investing now in public transport, rapid transit, and other critical transport infrastructure will help ensure our region remains connected, resilient, and able to support future generations while contributing to national economic growth."
The Greater Christchurch Partnership will continue working together to advocate for these priorities to Government, political parties, other potential partners and key decision-makers.