How decisions are made about future projects and activities in the OARC.

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Governance

As part of the Global Settlement Agreement, the Council agreed to a co-governance structure with Ngāi Tūāhuriri, community groups and community boards regarding decisions around both permanent and transitional uses within the regeneration area.

The future governance of the regeneration area is an important conversation that needs careful thought, and in August 2022, the Council formally established the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Co-governance Establishment Committee.

Ngāi Tūāhuriri Upoko Dr Te Maire Tau and former Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel co-chaired the Establishment Committee, which provided advice to the Council on the development of a permanent co-governance entity for the area.

Ngāi Tūāhuriri appointed four members, in addition to Dr Tau, to the Committee. Its four appointees were Tania Wati, Dr John Reid, Thomas Hildebrand, and Tutehounuku Korako.

The Council drew from the wider community to appoint Hayley Guglietta, Dr Cynthia Roberts and Julyan Falloon. After the local body elections in October 2022, Councillor Kelly Barber was appointed to the committee. 

In February 2025, the Council disestablished the OARC Establishment Committee and agreed to a new governance model to be implemented in two phases.

The first phase, approved by Council on 4 March 2026, established the OARC Regeneration Committee.

The new committee consists of three representatives from Te Ngāi Tūāhūriri Rūnanga and Te Ihutai Ahu Whenua Trust, and three Council representatives, including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and a councillor representing OARC communities.

The committee’s purpose is to provide governance for the implementation of the OARC Regeneration Plan to ensure the ecological, cultural, social and economic benefits of the OARC, and to protect and secure the environmental integrity and the health of the OARC's mahinga kai and awa.

Future OARC governance long-term may be the establishment of a charitable trust for long-term management of a restored delta wetland system, once the Council has completed installation of the infrastructure to support enhanced flood protection and other infrastructure.

Community consultation

The community played a pivotal role in the development of the Regeneration Plan.

Continuing to work closely with the community is a high priority for the Council as we develop the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor to create an incredible asset for both the city and New Zealand. Any future public consultation opportunities will be published on Kōrero mai | Let’s talk(external link).