Re:Opening Christ Church Cathedral
The Christ Church Cathedral was severely damaged in the devastating Canterbury earthquakes that struck the city and region in September 2010 and February 2011.
Construction on the project to reinstate Christ Church Cathedral was paused in 2024 with no funding pathway to completion. Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited (CCRL) regrouped restructured and reassessed the project searching for a solution.
In September 2025 CCRL was delighted to unveil Re:Opening. Following review and costing of a range of options to make reinstatement achieveable, the conclusion was to undertake the work in stages. The developed plan will see the first stage deliver a re-opened Cathedral.
The first stage will see the nave and tower areas reinstated, along with the western wall (including the Rose Window). This will create a Cathedral with seating for 700 people. It was these areas that first opened to the public when the Cathedral was originall built in 1881.
Re:Opening the Cathedral will mean the hoardings to the west can be removed allowing Cathedral Square to be re-vitalised.
With construction work commencing again in 2026, the Cathedral could be open by the end of 2030
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Cathedral History
The Christ Church Cathedral has been a key part of our city’s identity for 150 years. Like many of the world’s great Cathedrals it took about 130 years to complete.
It was planned by the Canterbury Association, which was founded in 1848 with the aim of establishing a Church of England settlement in Canterbury where the Cathedral was to be the physical and symbolic heart of the city.
News & Events
New plan to reopen Christ Church Cathedral as it was built – in stages
NewsMedia Release
11 September 2025
A new plan to re-open Christ Church Cathedral
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Christ Church Cathedral hosts the City Mission Tree
News
27 November 2024
The Christchurch City Mission Tree in Christ Church Cathedral for Christmas
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Project Update - Media Release 20 August 2024
Media Release
26 August 2024
Reinstatement of the Christ Church Cathedral to be put on hold until further funding found
Read MoreProject Update - Media Release 09 August 2024
Media Release
11 August 2024
No further funding from Government for the reinstatement of Christ Church Cathedral at this time
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Project Update - Media Release 22 June 2024
Media Release
01 July 2024
Media Release: Special Synod Agrees to Support Cathedral Reinstatement with Additional Funding Following a special meeting today of the Christchurch Anglican Diocesan Synod, the Church has agreed to commit further funding to the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project. In April it was announced that the project faced a funding shortfall of around $114m. This shortfall assumes further fundraising and a contribution from the Church. The Church has been considering ways to contribute a further $16m, above its insurance funds, to this important icon of the city.
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