Commonwealth Games: Protesters say it'll bankrupt the city, the Mayor says it'll put Christchurch on the map

Thursday, 25 January 2024

Christchurch Mayor’s Commonwealth Games aspirations get lifeline

The prospect of Christchurch hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030 is, to supporters, an opportunity to put the city on the map. To opponents, it’s a promise to bankrupt it.

Mayor Phil Mauger wanted ChristchurchNZ and council staff to look at the feasibility of the city and wider South Island hosting the Games in 2030, but needed the support of his colleagues at a council meeting on Wednesday.

After a long debate — preceded by a protest in which a man wearing a mask of Mauger’s face showered the council chamber with fake (but biodegradable) money — councillors agreed 10 to seven to a watered-down version of Mauger’s request.

The council will instead ask for advice on the viability of a full or partial bid for Christchurch, but not the 2030 event specifically, and done alongside the New Zealand Olympic Committee (the body is already in formal discussions with the Commonwealth Games Federation about a 2034 bid).

It wants a stock take of existing sporting, accommodation and transport infrastructure in Christchurch and the South Island, so the council can know for certain if it would meet the Games’ requirements.

The report could also consider environmental impacts, Mauger said.

“The advice may say it’s a fizzer, but at least we’d look at it,” he said.

Over a dozen protesters turned up to witness the vote, saying the environmental and financial impact could have devastating effects.

His support for the Games, which were hosted by Christchurch almost 50 years ago to the day, is well known and shared by the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who Mauger said he’d been talking to about the idea.

Deputy Mayor Pauline Cotter backed Mauger, encouraging colleagues to see it as an opportunity for Christchurch and the South Island to do a stock take of its facilities.

Cr Tim Scandrett said the Commonwealth Games was a massive undertaking and questioned why Christchurch should spend money to take the lead when the Olympic Committee was already doing the work.

Cr Andrei Moore was critical of the request, saying he didn’t understand how the council could consider a bid for the Games when they were looking at cutting some events funding to save money.

He and other councillors pointed out the council’s anticipated rates rises, which could be over 15%, and said residents were struggling to pay their bills as it is.

“This headline will cause fear … it will genuinely upset a huge proportion, I believe a majority, of our city,” he said.

Mayor Phil Mauger’s Commonwealth Games aspirations aren’t dead, but they were somewhat deflated at the Wednesday council meeting. (File photo).

This was one of the arguments made by protesters, over a dozen of which attended the meeting.

Aurora Garner-Randolph, from activist group Restore Passenger Rail, reminded councillors the city’s coffers were so strained that only a month ago they had debated the future of its assets.

She referenced Birmingham City Council, which was declared bankrupt in 2023 and hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games at a cost of about NZ$1.5 billion.

Alberta in Canada, which was meant to host the 2030 Games, backed out after estimating it could cost about NZ$2.6b to put them on.

“So I’m here today wondering at what point between an asset sales vote in December … did we acquire the cash to host an extravagant tea party and invite the entire commonwealth?” she asked.

How councillors voted:

In favour of getting advice into the viability of Christchurch hosting the Commonwealth Games some time in the future:

Mayor Phil Mauger, deputy mayor Pauline Cotter, Crs Jake McLellan, Sam MacDonald, Mark Peters, Tim Scandrett, Kelly Barber, Aaron Keown, James Gough, Victoria Henstock.

Against:

Crs Sara Templeton, Yani Johanson, Tyrone Fields, Andrei Moore, Celeste Donovan, Melanie Coker, Tyla Harrison-Hunt.