Urgent legislation to start the ChristChurch Cathedral rebuild started has passed.
The bill will fast-track resource management consents and enable the creation of a reinstatement trust to provide governance and oversee fundraising.
The Government will put $10 million towards the cost, and provide a suspensory loan of $15m.
The work was signalled by the previous Government, and the legislation was introduced this month and enjoyed cross-party support.
The restoration of the earthquake-damaged cathedral is expected to take up to 10 years or more. It has been more than six years since the Gothic-style 136-year-old cathedral was badly damaged in the 6.3-magnitude February 22, 2011 earthquake that devastated the Garden City.
There was long-running debate on whether the cathedral should be restored to its former glory, partly reinstated, or demolished and replaced with a modern new building.
The cathedral is listed Category 1 with Heritage New Zealand, reflecting its regional, national and international significance.
