Waimakariri District Council’s Regeneration of Kaiapoi won the Minister of Local Government’s Award for Council/Community Relations at the Taituarā (Local Government Professionals Aotearoa) Gala Dinner.
Mayor Dan Gordon says, “This is a fantastic achievement for the Council and for the communities of Kaiapoi, The Pines Beach and Kairaki. It’s a testament to the community-led approach to recovery after the earthquakes and I’m very proud of the work that has been completed. The recreational opportunities available in Kaiapoi are second to none and are a great asset to the wider District.”
“This success is testament to the way staff, elected members and our community worked together.”
Councillor Al Blackie, Regeneration Portfolio Holder says, “This is really an award for the community who were so invested in the recovery of Kaiapoi, The Pines Beach and Kairaki. They were involved in every step of the way shaping their future for the town and I’m very pleased that this has been recognised at a national level.”
The Taituarā judges said “This was a highly complex and challenging multi-year programme that is an exemplar for those communities needing to recover from a natural disaster. A planned purposive blending of engagement and some community empowerment has delivered a fantastic end result.”
The Regeneration Kaiapoi project has generated a vibrant landscape of interconnecting recreation and commercial spaces, rich with opportunities for cultural and social connection, out of earthquake-damaged land that was red-zoned by the Crown.
Implementation of the multi-year project, delivered over five regeneration areas, covering some 80 hectares, has been community-led, in partnership with residents, visitors, businesses, mana whenua and central government.
From school children through to the elderly, everyone had an opportunity to shape these spaces. Ongoing partnerships continue to ensure community ownership of amenities.
Regeneration Kaiapoi aimed to restore these areas, which had been locked away since the 2010-11 earthquakes and return them back to the community.
Today, the Kaiapoi Regeneration area attracts visitors and provides recreational opportunities, including new sports and recreation reserves, a Heritage and Mahinga Kai Reserve to foster cultural learning opportunities and traditional practices, a Marine Precinct, complete with floating pontoon and a heritage boat for sunset cruises, a sustainable forest and a dog park complete with its own “stick library” – just to name a few!