Christ Church Cathedral announcement to make safe welcomed by NZHPT

The process set out in today’s announcement by church leaders to “make safe” the Christ Church Cathedral and retain as much of its original heritage fabric as possible until a final decision can be made has been welcomed by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Board (NZHPT), said NZHPT Chief Executive Bruce Chapman.

The NZHPT’s role in the process to date has been an advisory one and the organisation looks forward to continuing to work with the Church on future options for the Cathedral.

Architects and engineers from the NZHPT have worked directly with the church, Council and CERA staff and consultants seeking solutions that would retain the building’s important heritage values.

“Along with other members of the collaborative group including engineers who had examined the Cathedral, we agreed that the preferred option was making the building safe and retaining as much of the building’s heritage fabric as possible.”

“While there is much work to be done and some uncertainty remains, today’s decision will be welcome news for everyone who has lived in Christchurch, worshipped in or visited the Cathedral. It is an iconic heritage landmark regionally, nationally and internationally – reflected in its current Category I registration with the NZHPT.”

“As well as the significant heritage values of the building itself, the future of the Cathedral and other heritage landmarks of the CBD such as Our City-O-Tautahi, the Arts Centre, the Catholic Basilica and Canterbury Provincial Chambers need to be considered in light of the wider economic benefits they bring to the City. Cultural tourism previously attracted many visitors to the city centre and if these buildings can be retained they will enhance the prospects for the economic recovery of the city and the CBD.”

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