These reflect key issues for the community where elected members want to see a change in approach or increase in focus this Council term. They don’t refer to all Council activities, but they highlight issues many Council work programmes could impact.

While the high-level community outcomes we aim to achieve don't change greatly over time, our priorities for each Council term do, so our Council chooses to adopt strategic priorities in addition to the community outcomes.

The priorities are our focus for improvement – where we need to intensify our work and align our skills and resources, collaborating across the Council to deliver better services to the communities we serve.

The strategic priorities in the new framework

Be an inclusive and equitable city

Be an inclusive and equitable city which puts people at the centre of developing our city and district, prioritising wellbeing, accessibility and connection.

The Council is committed to building inclusive, safe communities, as set out in Te Haumako Te Whitingia, the Strengthening Communities Together Strategy adopted in 2022. 

We want to partner with the community, every community, and work in partnership with Community Boards in ways that mean people feel heard and feel they belong. This priority is also about placemaking and the intention that the city and district develop in ways that are people-centred, supporting accessible and connected communities.

What this means for our district:

  • We support and help build connections between communities and their places and spaces to foster a sense of local identity, shared experience and stewardship.
  • Residents are engaged in community-led activities and volunteering, and we have active volunteer groups that provide support, encourage participation, and mobilise resources.
  • Residents have equitable access to a range of transport options that make it easy and safe to get around the city.
  • We have accessible, diverse, and interesting open space which promotes local and city identity.

Champion Ōtautahi-Christchurch

Champion Ōtautahi-Christchurch and collaborate to build our role as a leading New Zealand city.

Our Council wants to showcase and be proud of what the city has to offer, recognising the world-class facilities and public spaces now in place in Christchurch and the opportunities these present. We want to proactively partner with central government, business and the wider community to make the most of these opportunities for the city and district.

What this means for our district:

  • Christchurch is an attractive city for people, business, investment and visitors.
  • Christchurch residents are proud of their city; our places and spaces to foster a sense of local identity, shared experience, and stewardship.
  • The Central City is the thriving economic heart of our city.

We enhance Christchurch's profile both nationally and internationally by hosting a balanced, year-round portfolio of major events.

Build trust and confidence in the Council

Build trust and confidence in the Council through meaningful partnerships and communication, listening to and working with residents.

We want to ensure we take the community on the journey with us, proactively engaging and being as transparent as possible. We also want us to be very clear about what the Council is able to influence, and what is outside our remit or ability to influence.

What this means for our district:

  • Residents and groups in the wider community are socially and actively engaged and are able to initiate, influence and make decisions that affect their lives.
  • There is confidence that the Council makes decisions in the best interests of the city.

Māori are involved in decision-making from the beginning, in areas of mutual interest, especially in significant decisions.

Reduce emissions as a Council and as a city

Reduce emissions as a Council and as a city, and invest in adaptation and resilience, leading a city-wide response to climate change while protecting our indigenous biodiversity, water bodies and tree canopy.

We are implementing our Climate Resilience Strategy, being mindful of the carbon targets we have set and ensuring our land use planning supports our climate goals. We are also concerned about the protection of indigenous biodiversity, water bodies and the tree canopy.

What this means for our district:

  • City greenhouse gas emissions halve by 2030 and we reach net-zero emissions by 2045.
  • The Council reaches net-zero emissions by 2030.
  • Our communities and Papatipu Rūnanga have a good understanding of, and are prepared for, the current and future impacts of climate change.
  • Our move to a low-emission economy is fair and inclusive, creating new opportunities, businesses, and jobs

People feel safe in their communities and neighbourhoods and work together to understand, adapt and thrive in the context of change and disruption.

Manage ratepayers' money wisely

Manage ratepayers' money wisely, delivering quality core services to the whole community and addressing the issues that are important to our residents.

We want the community to understand the challenges and constraints we face, the value delivered by our services, the levels of service we aim to provide and the tensions and trade-offs that need to be considered.

What this means for our district:

  • Residents are satisfied with the performance of the Council in delivering its services.
  • The Council keeps within its rate rise and debt limits.

Actively balance the needs of today's residents

Actively balance the needs of today's residents with the needs of future generations, with the aim of leaving no one behind.

Our decision-making needs to consider future impacts as well as short or medium-term benefits. We support equity of opportunity for all and are concerned about long-term intergenerational equity and prosperity including a just transition to a net zero carbon economy.

We aim to be clear about the challenges involved in balancing fit-for-purpose services today and our future aspirations for the city. We consider the long-term implications of all decisions, including the impact on future operating costs and debt.

What this means for our district:

  • The needs of current and future generations are taken into account in city decision-making.
  • Our communities have equitable access to Council services and resources.
  • We have city infrastructure that is right-sized to support sustainable household and economic growth.
  • We have a city where anyone who wants to be housed can be, with access to housing that is secure, safe, affordable, warm and dry.
  • Council finances are prepared for and can respond to ongoing stressors and future challenges.
  • Our critical infrastructure can absorb and adapt to stressors and shocks.
  • We protect open space, landscape and biodiversity through the provision of parks and reserves, covenants, sites of ecological significance, consents, land, waterways and coastal restoration programmes.