Christ Church Cathedral’s long wait: Fresh plan to finally reopen

Thursday, 11 September 2025

Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement has unveiled a staged approach that will see parts of the Christchurch icon reopened by 2030.

Christ Church Cathedral has been at the centre of Christchurch’s skyline for nearly 150 years, and at the centre of its frustrations since the earthquakes.

After years of stalled work and ballooning costs, there is a new plan to finally get its doors open again.

Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement (CCRL) has unveiled a staged approach that will see parts of the building reopened by 2030.

The reset comes after the original plan ran into an $85m to $95m funding shortfall, and construction ground to a halt.

CCRL director Mark Stewart said the fresh approach halves that financial gap.

“The conclusion has been to undertake the work in stages. The first stage will deliver a reopened Cathedral and the removal of hoardings from the Square to enable its revitalisation.”

After years of stalled work and ballooning costs there is a new plan to finally get the Christ Church Cathedral's doors open again.

The first stage includes rebuilding the tower, nave and western wall, with seating for 700 people. These were the sections first opened to the public in 1881.

The move has drawn backing from Anglican Church leaders, business groups and property developers. Dean Ben Truman says it has the church’s full support, with another $20 million committed.

“We want to make this happen. The Cathedral was always the hub of our city. A reopened Cathedral will once again welcome everyone and host the city’s most important events.”

Business leaders said certainty around the Cathedral will unlock major private sector investment in Cathedral Square, the one part of the city’s CBD still waiting to be revived.

Mainland Capital’s Ben Bridge calls it the “last piece of the puzzle”.

“Providing certainty with respect to the Cathedral will give the investment community confidence to develop the area around it fully.”

If the money can be raised, construction starts next year. That means by the end of the decade Christchurch could hear the Cathedral bells ring again, almost 20 years after they fell silent.