Gerry Brownlee, who is the ‘Greater Christchurch Regeneration’ Minister, today announced the five-strong group which will recommend the best way forward for the stricken Christ Church cathedral.

The group comprises:

• National Party regional chair Roger Bridge;
• Christchurch developer Alisdair Cassels;
• Former New Zealand Transport Agency head Geoff Dangerfield;
• Academic and consultant Sue McKenzie, and;
• Former Christchurch Earthquake Authority (CERA) general manager Steve Wakefield.

Both Roger Bridge and Steve Wakefield are Church Property Trustees (CPT) appointments; while Geoff Dangerfield and Sue McKenzie were chosen by Gerry Brownlee.

Alisdair Cassels is the nominee of the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust, which is the group which has campaigned for the full restoration of the broken cathedral.

Mr Brownlee today acknowledged “the strong public interest in what is happening to this iconic building.

“I know people want to see the CPT able to reach a decision so that the city can move forward.

“The Working Group will be reporting back on a way forward by 28 November 2016 and it will provide a final report to the Crown and CPT by 7 December 2016.”

Engineers were today checking and fitting new markers to the outside walls of the cathedral which gauge how much these are moving.

The church has also just released drone footagewhich graphically illustrates damage inside the cathedral, and Bishop Victoria Matthews has commented on the latest developments:

“Back in 2010 and 2011 the Diocese of Christchurch said we would put people and safety first and we have kept our word. 

“The filmfrom the drone in the Cathedral shows severe damage from many earthquakes including the February and March quakes this year. 

“I look forward to what the working group recommends for the beloved Cathedral building. 

“It’s a big ask but I do know the life of the city of Christchurch will always be linked closely to the Anglican Cathedral…

“I believe in the foreseeable future we will again have a Cathedral in the Square… (though) what I am not able to say today is what that wonderful Cathedral will look like.”

In the meantime, she said, visitors and citizens would continue to visit the Transitional Cathedral and “celebrate its innovation and superb design.”