Our role
The Greater Christchurch Group (GCG) was a business unit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. It was formed on 1 March 2016 to lead and coordinate central Government's ongoing role in the regeneration of greater Christchurch following the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. On 29 January 2021, the GCG was disestablished.
What we do
GCG provided policy, planning, legal, and monitoring support on a broad range of recovery and regeneration issues across greater Christchurch. Our work included:
- advice to Ministers
- engagement with local leadership and the local community on regeneration issues
- coordination and brokering across agencies involved in the regeneration of greater Christchurch
- support for Regenerate Christchurch — a joint central and local government entity tasked with overseeing the long-term development and enhancement of the Central City, residential red zone, New Brighton and other potential regeneration zones — and Ōtākaro Limited — established to deliver key anchor projects and precincts in Christchurch
- monitoring and reporting on the overall progress of recovery.
GCG also inherited specific responsibilities from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA). This included joint governance and funding of the horizontal infrastructure (underground wastewater and water pipes, and roads and bridges) earthquake repair and rebuild programme, which has now moved into the close-out phase.
GCG, with its recovery partners, was also focused on creating new partnerships and supporting the shift to local leadership. Learn more about our work: Greater Christchurch recovery and regeneration programme.