We consult the public about Council projects that affect them. This means we will ask for feedback on a proposal or draft plans, which may be a formal process, known as making a submission.

Making a submission

Submissions are

Submissions need to include

  • Your full name, postal address, postcode and email address (only your name and feedback will be shared on our website).
  • An organisation's name and your role if you are submitting on behalf of a group or organisation.
  • Whether or not you want to speak, where public hearings are available.

If you choose to speak at a hearing we will contact you to arrange a time for you to meet with the Council hearings panel.

As required by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987(external link)(external link), if requested we will share submissions, including contact details provided in your submission.

If you consider there are reasons why your contact details and/or submission should be kept confidential, please contact us(external link)(external link) when you send your submission.

Providing feedback

Feedback is gathered informally through a range of methods such as surveys, direct contact with individuals or groups, or on social media.

Community feedback helps to develop a project that does not require a formal decision at that time. 

Speaking at meetings and hearings

If you want to talk to the Council, or your Community Board about an issue or idea, you can request to present at a meeting. 

If a person or organisation wishes to speak to Council or Community Board on a matter covered in a report in the meeting agenda, they can ask to make a 'deputation'. They will be able to speak for up to ten minutes. 

If a person or organisation wishes to speak on any matter relevant to the Council or the Community Board they can request to speak at the public forum sessions at the start of meetings, for up to five minutes.

To make a request to speak at a meeting, please contact us(external link)(external link) and ask to speak to:

  • A Community Board Advisor at your local Community Board(external link) if your issue is related to something local in your street, community or neighbourhood. 
  • The Council Secretary for Council Meetings.

Requests to speak at a meeting will need to be approved by the Chair of the meeting. Council staff will provide you with more information on meeting protocol, speaking times and presentation equipment. 

To allow enough time for questions we advise that you keep your presentation brief. Please let us know if you would like us to arrange a translator to help you speak at a meeting or hearing, such as Te Reo or sign language.

Please note that the Christchurch City Council meetings are live-streamed and the recording is kept on our website(external link)(external link) following the meeting for future reference.

View meeting agendas(external link).

Submitting a petition

Any person or organisation can present a petition to the Council, a Council Committee or a Community Board.

A petition must contain at least 20 signatures and consist of fewer than 150 words (not including signatories).

Petitions must be received at least five working days before the date of the meeting at which they will be presented. Contact us(external link) to present your petition.

A petitioner can present a petition to a meeting, and speak for up to five minutes about the petition. A Councillor or Community Board member may present a petition on behalf of petitioners.

Petitions and the information on them will form part of the public record of a meeting and may be published on the Council website.