Transferring red zone land to Christchurch city - Global Settlement Agreement
The ownership and management of Crown-owned red zone land in greater Christchurch is being progressively transferred from the Crown to Christchurch City Council.

OARC Red Zone aerial image. Credit: CCC Newsline
This transfer has now begun, with Brooklands, Southshore and South New Brighton red zone land now owned by the Council. It also manages land in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor (OARC). The land transfer is part of the September 2019 Global Settlement Agreement, a contract between the Crown and Council to finalise the remaining costs and responsibilities for Christchurch’s earthquake recovery and regeneration.
OARC land ownership will transfer in phases following extensive property title reconfiguration work that the Council has asked us to carry out. The reconfiguration work includes such things as surveying, road stopping, creating easements and removing redundant interests. Once complete, this work will enable the 600ha of land to be more easily used – including for delivery of the 2019 OARC Regeneration Plan.
Ownership and management of Crown-owned red zone land in the Port Hills will transfer in May 2021. Until ownership is transferred, we retain land ownership obligations such as making decisions about temporary events and projects.
Progress timeline
January 2021 | Port Hills and Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone - LINZ limits temporary land-use applications to six-months in preparation for land transfer. Christchurch City Council takes the lead for any longer-term transitional land-use requests. |
---|---|
December 2020 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone - LINZ works in partnership with the Council to develop 29 scheme plans for the property title reconfiguration. |
December 2020 | Metro Sports Facility Anchor Project - LINZ acquires final land required for this anchor project. |
November 2020 | South Frame Anchor Project - LINZ brokers agreement for final land acquisition. |
September 2020 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone - LINZ gifts fully renovated historic Sutton House to the Council. |
August 2020 | Brooklands, Southshore/South New Brighton red zone - LINZ transfers ownership of 70ha of Crown-owned land to the Council. |
1 July 2020 | Brooklands, Southshore/South New Brighton and Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zones - LINZ transfers management of 6,000 Crown-owned properties to the Council. |
May 2020 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor red zone - LINZ completes review of 16,300 interests in nearly 5,500 property titles. |
May 2020 | Te Tira Kāhikuhiku - Community-based consultative group established by the Council and LINZ to provide recommendations on red zone temporary land-use applications. |
March 2020 | Performing Arts Precinct - LINZ acquires final piece of land needed for this Anchor Project. |
23 Sep 2019 | Global Settlement Agreement signed between the Crown and Council, focusing on the transition to local leadership. |
August 2019 | Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor - Regeneration Plan approved. |
May 2019 | The Pines Beach and Kairaki - LINZ leads the transfer of about 5ha of Crown-owned land to Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust. |
April 2019 | Residential Red Zone Crown offers close. |
March 2019 | Kaiapoi, The Pines Beach and Kairaki - LINZ leads the transfer of about 80ha of Crown-owned land to Waimakariri District Council as part of delivering the Waimakariri Recovery Plan. |
August 2018 | Final Residential Red Zone voluntary Crown offer announced. |
June 2018 | Kaiapoi, Kairaki and The Pines Beach - Land transfer agreements signed for about 65ha of Crown-owned land. |
December 2016 | Waimakariri Residential Red Zone - Recovery Plan approved. |
April 2016 | Wind-up of CERA – full transfer of management responsibilities to LINZ for Crown-owned red zone and central city land. |
December 2015 | CERA operational responsibilities start transferring to LINZ. |
June 2011 | Voluntary Crown offer process starts for the worst-affected earthquake-damaged areas, known as the residential red zones. |
April 2011 | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) established. |
22 Feb 2011 | Magnitude 6.3 Canterbury earthquake, centred on Christchurch. |
4 Sep 2010 | Magnitude 7.1 Canterbury earthquake, centred near Darfield. |