Final report of the Advisory Board on Transition to Long Term Recovery Arrangements REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY December 2015 Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu; commissioned by Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation, gift of Neil Graham (Grumps), 2015. Photo: John Collie. 02 Contents FOREWORD FROM THE MINISTER FOR CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY FOREWORD FROM THE ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR WHERE HAVE WE COME FROM IN OFFERING ADVICE? 6 WHERE ARE WE NOW IN TERMS OF MEASURABLE PROGRESS? 7 • Progress in the health sector • Progress in the education sector • Progress with insurance settlements and wellbeing • Progress with the Central City rebuild WHERE ARE WE HEADING OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? 11 • Crucial approaches in the next phase of regeneration • Psychosocial and housing recovery • Central City development • Streamlined planning processes • Economic strategy • Step-change in leadership and leadership model • Governance and accountability in transition OUTSTANDING RECOVERY MATTERS THAT REQUIRE FURTHER CONSIDERATION 20 • Regional transport • Post-settlement issues • The four ‘C’s CONCLUSION 22 • What does success look like? APPENDIX A: Advisory Board scope and membership 23 APPENDIX B: Summary of Advisory Board recommendations from our First Report and responses 28 APPENDIX C: Roadmap of post-transition recovery/regeneration responsibilities 32 APPENDIX D: Canterbury Mayoral Forum 34 APPENDIX E: Inheriting Agencies’ Briefs 35 03 Foreword from the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery In December 2014 I established the Advisory Board The Advisory Board’s Final Report sets out advice on Transition to Long Term Recovery Arrangements to assist a successful regeneration over the next (Advisory Board) to provide me with independent five years. This Report not only speaks to me, as advice on the implications of the expiry of the the Minister responsible for Canterbury Earthquake Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 and the Recovery, but to government agencies, local transfer of functions undertaken by Canterbury organisations and the leaders and residents of Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) to more greater Christchurch. permanent agencies and arrangements. In the course of their work, the Advisory Board has The Advisory Board, chaired by the Rt Hon Dame engaged with many local leaders and stakeholders. Jenny Shipley, consists of 12 very capable members They have built and extended local connections and from a range of sectors - leadership, business, networks that will assist greatly in the future. governance, community and social. Each member I would like to note that the Advisory Board model brings a valuable local perspective, backed up by has worked extremely well and I would encourage practical experience and knowledge, to the table. This other ministers and agencies to adopt a similar group has worked together effectively to quickly hone approach in the future. in on the important issues that continue to affect greater Christchurch and identify practical solutions Lastly, I extend my sincere thanks to each of the for this next phase of regeneration. members of the Advisory Board for the time and effort you have all put in to provide me with robust In June 2015 the Advisory Board provided me with their advice. You have made a significant contribution to First Report. Their advice was very useful and greatly the regeneration of greater Christchurch. assisted in the development of the Transition Recovery Plan and the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill. I have passed this Report on to Andrew Kibblewhite, Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, to lead a whole-of-government response. I am confident that this approach will ensure that agencies and organisations implement the Advisory Board’s recommendations in a timely collaborative way. This will help ensure a seamless transition. 04 Foreword from the Advisory Board Chair In June 2015 the Advisory Board on Transition to that. However, there is still much work to do and Long Term Recovery Arrangements (Advisory Board) leadership to be exercised if, in five years’ time, the wrote, “In five years we hope the people of greater people of greater Christchurch are to be living the Christchurch have a strong sense of ownership and lives they wish to live after going through such a pride in the regeneration of their city and region. We major and life-changing experience as the Canterbury want people to feel optimistic about the future. We want earthquakes. them to feel surprise and delight in the progress they The Advisory Board wishes to acknowledge and pay see and experience.” Huge progress continues to be tribute to the people of greater Christchurch who made. While people and the city still face complex have lived with the consequences of the earthquakes challenges, we have confidence that ‘everything is since 4 September 2010. While things have improved going to be alright’ for the people of this beautiful for the majority of people through repair, demolition, city and the surrounding region in the future. new construction and support services, the on-going In mid-2015 we provided the Minister for Canterbury resolution of outstanding insurance claims remains Earthquake Recovery (the Minister), Hon Gerry an urgent priority. Some people are suffering because Brownlee, with a wide variety of recommendations as of this and their cases will require a concerted and to how to achieve that regeneration. Many of those collaborative response to resolve; we request that all recommendations are now being implemented, as concerned accord it high priority. set out in the Transition Recovery Plan, which will The recovery and regeneration of greater guide greater Christchurch in its regeneration over Christchurch remains one of the Government’s top the next five years. In our First Report we also set out four priorities. The Prime Minister and Ministers our vision for the future of greater Christchurch and, all agree that the responsibility for it over the next again, much progress is being made toward achieving Ka oi Rūaumoko ara ake Waitaha Despite the heaving earth Canterbury will rise again 05 five years should lie with the leaders of greater Christchurch, rather than from Wellington. The This Final Report has been presented to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) as Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, an organisation, the outstanding people who took on Hon Gerry Brownlee, by the members of the this short-term role of leading and delivering in this Advisory Board on Transition to Long Term exceptional circumstance, and the special legislative Recovery Arrangements: powers that expire in April 2016 have served greater Christchurch well during the recovery stage. The • Rt Hon Dame Jenny Shipley, Advisory Board notes that while the Canterbury Chair of the Advisory Board Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 confers significant • David Ayers, powers, those special powers have only been used 28 Mayor of Waimakariri District Council times since the earthquakes, mainly at the request of • Dame Margaret Bazley, lead agencies in greater Christchurch. Chairperson of Environment Canterbury Going forward, the three Mayors of Christchurch City, • Kelvin Coe, Selwyn and Waimakariri, the Chair of Environment Mayor of Selwyn District Council Canterbury, the Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi • Hon Lianne Dalziel, Tahu and the Chairs of Regenerate Christchurch Mayor of Christchurch City Council and CrownCo will all have the opportunity, where • Tā Mark Solomon, justified, to request the Minister to act in the Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu interests of the regeneration of greater Christchurch. • Gill Cox, We have every confidence he will act accordingly. representing the business sector We note, however, that special powers are exercised • Leanne Curtis, by a Minister and not delegated. To allow for such representing the community sector delegation, greater Christchurch will be supported by an innovative new piece of legislation that will • Mary Devine, enable delegation of special powers primarily at the representing the business sector request of the local leaders and with the support of • Maggy Tai Rākena, the Minister. The Advisory Board strongly supports representing the social sector this approach. • Peter Townsend, representing the business sector Now regeneration is well underway and the step- change the Advisory Board called for is happening! • Darren Wright, We have had the opportunity to work with the leaders representing the community sector of greater Christchurch, Regenerate Christchurch, Background to the Advisory Board, including CrownCo, the responsible Ministers, heads of key scope of work and member biographies, is government departments and private and community attached to this report as Appendix A. sector leaders. We have seen demonstrated willingness and commitment from all to step up to provide the leadership required for the successful delivery of this regeneration phase for the benefit of the people who call this special place home. As we complete our work, we wish these local leaders well as they bring this next chapter of greater Christchurch’s story to life. Dame Jenny Shipley Chair; on behalf of the Advisory Board 06 Where have we come from in offering advice? 1. In December 2014 the Advisory Board was invited to assist in planning the requirements for the transition from CERA to a future state. We produced our First Report in mid- 2015. We were delighted that our First