Regenerate Christchurch board appointed

Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Gerry Brownlee (Newshub.)
Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Gerry Brownlee (Newshub.)

The Regenerate Christchurch board has been confirmed this morning, as the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority's (CERA) time comes to an end in the recovery process.

Arts Centre chief executive Andrew Lovatt was appointed chair of the board by Minister Gerry Brownlee.

Ross Butler, designate chair of Otakaro Limited, Manaia Cunningham, who was nominated by Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, and Richard Holden have also been appointed to the board.

They will serve alongside three Christchurch City Council appointees to be announced today.

The appointees to the board of Regenerate Christchurch bring an impressive range of skills and experience working in greater Christchurch, Mr Brownlee says.

He takes up the position as Minister supporting greater Christchurch regeneration.

Regenerate Christchurch is a new agency jointly owned and funded by the Crown and council, with a focus on development in Christchurch's central city, residential red zones, New Brighton and potentially other areas.

"This agency is going to be crucial in shaping the future of these key areas of the city," Mr Brownlee says.

Mr Lovatt and Mr Butler had previously been announced but Mr Holden and Ms Cunningham will bring added experience and a wealth of knowledge, Mr Brownlee says.

"We know from his long-standing involvement with Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and previous community roles, that Mr Cunningham has a range of leadership skills and experience which will broaden the perspective of the board," Mr Brownlee says.

"Mr Holden, who is the managing director and chair of Milestone Financial Services Limited, brings extensive experience in financial services and senior governance processes to the board, having previously been a member of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission."

Outgoing acting chief executive for CERA John Ombler (Newshub.)

Mr Brownlee is confident the four board members have a strong grasp on the issues facing the city.

Regenerate Christchurch will exist until June 2021 and then transition into a solely council-owned organisation.

Christchurch Mayor Lianna Dalziel says it will "mark a step change" in the rebuild process as the city transitions from recovery to regeneration.

The organisation welcomed the appointments, with its chair Andre Lovatt pleased to see it reaching this milestone. 

"Regenerate Christchurch aims to draw on the knowledge and ideas of a broad range of people and organisations, and represent and reflect the ambitions and expectations of the local community," he says.

"Our board will have an important role to play in achieving this.

"The first stage we are all looking forward to is the opportunity to talk with and listen to the local community to understand the future of Christchurch they want to see," Mr Lovatt says.

Newshub.