Councillors ‘irate’ to discover $6.2m platform is just a website, not a smart phone app

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Christchurch City Council staff have so far spent $6.2 million developing a one-stop-shop app that is actually little more than a new website.

It is understood there were angry scenes at a behind closed doors briefing after Christchurch city councillors learned of the matter.

Staff have spent four years developing the software and, despite being instructed by councillors early on to make sure it was a downloadable native app, it was not.

Councillors have demanded the software not be released until it is turned into an app.

A native app is something that can be installed and downloaded directly onto a smart phone. They are considered far more functional and easier to use than a web-based version.

The council set aside $11.9m for the project in the 2021-31 long-term plan.

The platform is designed to bring council functions into one place, so people can pay rates and check their balances, log service requests, book swimming lessons, gym classes, access library services, check water usage and pay dog registrations.

At the moment, several of these services are accessed through different websites.

Councillor Jake McLellan said it was a lot of money and councillors were “angry and irate” when they found out it was not a native app.

He said it took staff five minutes to explain the steps involved in putting the web-based app onto a phone, which suggested it was far more complicated than simply downloading an app.

“This is not going to work for an 85-year-old woman in Wainoni.”

Councillor Sam MacDonald said he made it clear to staff last week the software could not go live until it was a native app.

“We’re not going to launch it unless it’s an app. I could not be more clear.

“From a user point of view, it should be an app so the uptake is really good. We want it to be as easy as possible for people to use.”

MacDonald said he was initially worried it could not be made into an app, but the council’s IT staff told councillors last week it could be.

“If we get it right it will be a bloody good addition to the council.”

McLellan said councillors have yet to be told how much it would cost to turn it into a true app.

Staff told The Press there was no approval to go over the $11.9m budget set in 2021.

Councillors have demanded more oversight of the project so its progress would now be reported monthly to the finance and performance committee, chaired by MacDonald.

The project cost was huge, he said, but the council could not “stay in the dark ages”.

He said staff told councillors it was not possible to buy an app off the shelf. It needed to be custom built because the council had so many systems.

It would be the first of its kind in the country, he said.

Once the app was finished, MacDonald hoped the council could sell licences to other councils, which could help recoup some of the development costs.

The first stage of the app was expected to be released during the middle of this year. At this point, the work would be paused while the council reviewed how well it was working before continuing with the next stage, chief executive Mary Richardson said.

She said the costs reflected the complexity of the work, but the project would be reviewed closely to make sure it delivered the value the community expected.

Large digital projects were rarely straightforward, especially when they involved integrating legacy systems, ensuring security and meeting the needs of a diverse community, she said.

“We would have preferred faster progress, and we will review the project closely.”

Mayor Phil Mauger said there was no avoiding the fact that a lot of money had been spent.

“It was a shock to all of us.”

He was happy to see the project was being paused after the first phase was launched.

“What we’ve got to do, and this is not straightforward and some of it is way above my head, you’re talking to an old person here. If we’re not careful we’ll spend $1 to save 50c.”