Canterbury Museum and Christ Church Cathedral would each receive $15 million, on the condition the Government also contributes $15 million to each, among other conditions.
Another $1.8 million from the surplus would complete collection of the cathedral targeted rate.
The city council would also provide a loan to the museum of $28.6 million to be paid back from an international visitor levy.
The Christchurch School of Music is also set to get $4m, to match funding the school already has, to build a new $12m base in the heart of the Performing Arts Precinct on Armagh St.
The Arts Centre and Canterbury Provincial Chambers miss out on funding at this point.
The proposal from city council finance and performance committee chair Sam MacDonald and deputy chair Jake McLellan comes as 5888 submissions on the issue are considered as part of its Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 process. City councillors have the opportunity to confirm funding to restore these iconic buildings in June, when they approve the Annual Plan 2026/27.
The council will consider the community’s views alongside the national significance of the buildings, their economic and cultural value, and the potential for co-funding from other partners.
The submissions show broad support for restoring the four iconic buildings, but each has different levels of backing.
Submitters were asked for their perspective on ratepayers providing financial support to restore the museum, cathedral Canterbury Provincial Chambers, and The Arts Centre.
MacDonald said the proposal to go ahead with allocating money towards the long-awaited restorations will help give certainty to a complex funding process.
“There comes a point where we need to make some decisions, provide certainty to the various players willing to bring funding to the table, and help fill these final holes at the heart of our city,” he said.
“This is our chance to finally put these long-running rebuild debates behind us once and for all, and is the council’s full and final commitment.
“Importantly, because we’d be using our $44.4 million surplus, our proposal wouldn’t increase rates and the balance would still go toward reducing the council’s debt.”
It’s estimated that the total funding gap between the projected restoration costs and all confirmed contributions is about $290 million. Closing this gap would require funding from multiple sources, including central government.
Interim council chief executive Bede Carran said although there is support across all demographics for restoring the city’s heritage, it comes with conditions.
“Our community emphasised that these buildings are a vital part of Christchurch’s identity, and represent some of the final missing pieces in our post-quake regeneration. For many, restoring them represents unfinished business and a chance to leave an intergenerational legacy.
“However, people want any investment to be affordable, disciplined and balanced against the community’s other priorities. That will be the challenge of this elected council as they prepare for next year’s Long Term Plan process, which is where the big funding decisions get made.
-Allied Media
