‘I’ve backed it since day one’: Winston Peters pledges $15m for Christ Church Cathedral rebuild

Friday, 27 March 2026

Winston Peters has pledged $15m to help rebuild the Christ Church Cathedral.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has announced a campaign commitment to contribute an extra $15 million to the Christ Church Cathedral rebuild.

He said he’d backed the project “since day one” and called the cathedral a “symbol of Christchurch's resilience.“

“You got two alternatives: one is to keep your faith with the forefathers who constructed this city, or to knock it all down. What are you going to do? In my view, the first was the only option you’ve got.”

Peters made the announcement in Christchurch on Friday, in a move reminiscent of his pre-election promises in 2014 and 2017 to restore the earthquake-damaged building.

The timing comes as Christchurch ratepayers face a decision on whether to increase rates to help fund heritage rebuilds, including the cathedral.

NZ First leader Winston Peters says the Christ Church Cathedral is “more than just a Church, it is a part of the city’s heritage”.

Peters said the rebuild project, which has been mothballed since 2024 due to a lack of funds, had been waiting 15 years, and it was time to ensure the “vitally iconic symbol of Christchurch City” was completed.

“This is more than just a church, it is a part of the city’s heritage. It is a symbol of the long road of the Christchurch earthquake recovery. Rebuilding the cathedral will catalyse further development around the area and boost important tourism numbers in the city.”

About $90m had been invested already, with $38m from the Anglican Church, $25m by the government, $24m from donors, and $3m from Christchurch City Council.

There is still a $40 to $45m shortfall.

The additional government funding would help complete the first stage of the new rebuild project which would re-open the Cathedral and remove the hoardings from the Square, Peters said.

CCRL chair Steve Wakefield, Mark Stewart and Mainland Capital director Ben Bridge (L-R) look at Christ Church Cathedral from the new Sheraton Hotel after the announcement.

“When last in government in 2018 we ensured a government commitment of $25m towards the project, made up of $10m with an additional $15m interest free loan. The additional funding commitment from government would see the new, more affordable, and workable project finally get moving.”

In May 2017, Peters stood in front of the damaged cathedral and promised to restore it if New Zealand First held power after that year’s election, lambasting the Government for offering only $10m of the estimated $104m repair bill.

“This is a seriously worthy cause and they should rectify it,” Peters told a crowd of about 300 people at the time.

Then-Christchurch Regeneration Minister Nicky Wagner dismissed his comments as “grandstanding”, saying Peters “suddenly turning up in Christchurch before each election and having potshots at everybody is not very helpful”.

Peters had made similar promises in 2014.

When asked if restoring the cathedral would be a deal breaker in negotiations, Peters said he doesn’t make empty promises.

“Do you know any political party leader that has kept his promises more than I have? Come on, put your hand up. Can you find anyone?” Peters said at the press conference on Friday.

Deputy Christchurch Mayor Victoria Henstock, Mark Stewart, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, CCRL chair Steve Wakefield and Anglican Bishop Dr Peter Carrell (L–R) after the announcement.

He had not discussed the funding commitment with his current coalition partners.

Hours earlier, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon dismissed any idea that the government might make further contributions towards the cathedral’s reinstatement.

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium on Friday, less than a kilometre from the cathedral, Luxon said the government had been very supportive of the city, putting about $20 billion into its post-quake rebuild, and that trade-offs and choices were needed during times of financial constraint.

“For the rest of New Zealand, to say ‘that is schools or hospitals or roads that can’t be built because of that investment’, we expect that to be a community-led response at this stage.”

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters shakes ahnds with Ben Truman, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral after an announcement Truman called “very exciting”.

The cathedral debate has intensified in recent weeks, with public submissions on council support for the cathedral and three other heritage buildings due by the end of March.

Ngāi Tahu historian Te Maire Tau argued this week the cathedral is “the pūtake, the source, of Christchurch“ and must be rebuilt. “If Christchurch and its cathedral are not valued, then find a new name for our city,” Tau wrote.

Asked about Mayor Phil Mauger’s recent 3am brainwave suggesting Cathedral Square redesign funds be directed to the cathedral instead, Peters said he’d “rather not comment on it till I’ve heard a valid explanation.”

“I know a lot of politicians have had brain waves in the middle of the night,” he said.

Peters was heading to the West Coast on Saturday, a region that’s been “seriously neglected” and victim of bullying from leafy suburbs around New Zealand, he said.

“So we’re going to the foundation, place where the Labour Party was started in 1916 to tell them there’s still a party for workers.”

The Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement team said via an emailed statement that it was “delighted”.

“There is significant momentum across civic leaders, the business sector and the wider community to see the Cathedral restored and we’re feeling positive about our ability to deliver this project,” said director Mark Stewart.

Cathedral Dean Ben Truman said Peters promise was “very exciting” and could help unlock more donations.

As for whether it secured his vote? “Maybe”, he said.