Agreement reached for final property on Multi-Use Arena site

The final property required for the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena site has been settled, with the Crown reaching an agreement with the owners to buy 212–214 Madras Street.

As part of the agreement the NG building will be moved to another location on the Arena site, south of the Transitional Cathedral.

The owners are responsible for relocating the building and have one year to complete the move.

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) led negotiations on behalf of the Crown.

Christchurch City Council Chief Executive Dawn Baxendale is delighted that an arrangement that benefits all parties has been found.

“This agreement is an important milestone and a positive outcome for everyone,” she says.

LINZ Group Manager Crown Property Lydia Bloy is pleased the agreement provides certainty around progress of the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena anchor project.

“The arena is one of four key anchor projects in the 2012 Christchurch Central Recovery Plan and is expected to have a range of economic, social and cultural benefits for greater Christchurch’s regeneration.

“It was good to continue our discussions with all the key parties – the owners, CMUA Project Delivery Limited and Christchurch City Council – to agree a positive outcome for the building and the city.

“We’re pleased the people of Christchurch now have certainty around progress of this city asset that will provide so many great opportunities for Christchurch and Canterbury.”

“Leaving the NG building where it is wasn’t an option, because we were advised it would have greatly impeded the design and functionality of the stadium,” says Ms Bloy.

LINZ has been engaging with the owners to seek to acquire 212–214 Madras Street by mutual agreement since inheriting responsibility for central city land acquisitions for anchor projects in 2016.

The agreement reached is a full and final settlement of all claims in relation to the property, meaning a related court case is now closed.