Delight as Christchurch takes a step towards ‘transformative’ mass rapid transit

Thursday, 26 June 2025

Mass rapid transit is one step closer for Greater Christchurch after it was endorsed as a project of national importance by the Government’s Infrastructure Commission.

Greater Christchurch is a step closer to having a “transformative” mass rapid transit system after the long-mooted project was endorsed in the Government’s national infrastructure blueprint.

Mass rapid transit, which would involve a 22km corridor connecting Belfast and Hornby with central Christchurch via 21 stations, is among 17 nationally important projects identified as being a priority.

The project was endorsed following an application from Christchurch City Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, which was assessed by independent experts from Te Waihanga Infrastructure Commission.

Environment Canterbury councillor Deon Swiggs said it was “great news” for Christchurch.

“This means our city is a step closer to developing a transformative rapid transit system to tackle future growth, reduce traffic congestion, cut emissions and make Christchurch a future city.

“Exciting times ahead for sustainable and rapid transport in our region.”

A preliminary business case for mass rapid transit, endorsed by councils in 2023, found it could cost between $3 billion and $4b, but would address the needs of a growing population.

At that stage the project was led by the transport agency, and funding was pledged for a business case with much more detail. But last year the government retrospectively pulled that funding.

City councillor Sara Templeton said she was pleased to see the project named in the infrastructure plan, saying: “Hopefully this will pop it back up the Government’s priority list and get cross-party support so we can make progress … Let’s hope that all political parties support it.”

The endorsement came amid the release of the Infrastructure Commission’s first 30-year draft infrastructure plan, which painted a bleak picture of infrastructure provision.

New Zealand spends over $1.3 billion per year on consenting new infrastructure, and spends in the top 10% of OECD countries as a share of GDP, yet has little to show for it — and what infrastructure central government does build and own is very poorly maintained.

A key recommendation in the report is around transport — and user charges should be increased to cover the cost of land transport networks.

The Greater Christchurch mass rapid transit project was among the national projects to make it through the first round of submissions.

It was deemed to be of national importance by meeting the country’s strategic objectives, being good value for money, and capable of being successfully delivered.

Among the other projects were six that related to the Defence Force, upgrades to the broadband service, a new vault for the Reserve Bank, and improved water infrastructure in Nelson.

The commission is backing plans to renew the Atawhai Rising Main, which services north and central areas of Nelson and conveys about half the city’s wastewater.

A mass rapid transit system would link Belfast and Hornby via 21 stations, and be part of a wider Greater Christchurch transport scheme.

The rising main was remediated in the 1990s and is expected to have a service life until 2046, but recent failures suggest it is deteriorating faster than expected.

The mass rapid transport system is intended to provide high capacity, frequency, fast and reliable travel.

John Higgins, the city council’s strategy, planning and regulatory services general manager, said while inclusion in the draft national infrastructure plan does not guarantee funding or political support, the endorsement is still an important step forward.

“Having our MRT work on the list gives central government investment partners confidence that the project has been assessed as having merit by independent experts,” he said.

“It is a key component of the Greater Christchurch spatial plan, which was developed with our Greater Christchurch partners,” he said.

“This sets out the pathway for enabling the Greater Christchurch population to grow to 700,000 residents over 30 years, and towards a million people, cementing itself as New Zealand's second largest city and principal urban area of the South Island.”

The next phase of the project, being led by the council, focuses on developing a detailed business case to identify what land may be needed for the transport corridor, and advancing the design.

The council has also submitted the Public Transport Futures programme, which includes lower cost improvements to Christchurch’s existing bus network, for consideration in a second round of projects being assessed for the national infrastructure plan.