The Star: June 01, 2017

The Star 17
Viewpoint
Latest Christchurch news at www.
.kiwi
Thursday June 1 2017
Cathedral solution sought
CHRIST CHURCH Cathedral
is once again at the centre of
much — often heated — debate.
Its future is a heritage issue, a
community issue and a church
issue but it is not a political issue.
With that in mind, I hosted
a meeting of Christchurch
Members of Parliament late
last week to seek cross-party
support for the Government’s
commitment to brokering a
solution.
I firmly believe we need an
agreed solution and we need
it sooner rather than later.
Agreement is vital because any
decision that ties everyone up
in court for five to 10 years is no
decision at all.
Immediately after the meeting
I released the Cathedral Working
Group Recommendation
Report, which recommends
reinstatement. It estimates the
cost at $105 million — to be
funded by philanthropic and
public donations, the church’s
insurance proceeds and support
from central and local government.
About half of Christchurch
wants to see the Cathedral
reinstated, the other half wants
something new and more
modern, but everyone believes
we need a decision as soon as
possible.
As a resident of Christchurch,
I share the community’s frustration,
and as Regeneration Minister,
I’m committed to helping
break the current deadlock.
I will continue to work closely
with the Anglican Church,
the city council and other key
stakeholders to discuss all possible
solutions.
Nicky Wagner
Also late last week, Mayor
Lianne Dalziel and I released
the terms of reference for a
pre-feasibility study into a new
multi-use arena.
The pre-feasibility study
will consider the size, cost and
viability of an arena, as well as
opportunities for a wider ‘Arena
Precinct’.
The terms of reference
include a number of important
considerations, particularly
around the operational and
financial viability of the arena
model.
Any potential development
will likely need to be a multiuse
sports and entertainment
venue to maximise opportunities
for regional, national and
international events.
Christchurch Stadium Trust,
which is undertaking the prefeasibility
study, will report back
by the end of July.
•Nicky Wagner is Minister
supporting Greater
Christchurch Regeneration
Budget falls short
BUDGET 2017 was a
let-down.
National squandered
the chance to rebuild
our battered health and
education systems and
to address the housing
crisis. Instead, they’ve gone for an
election year Budget with an eye
for the upcoming election, not the
21 st century. It doesn’t have new
thinking in it, it doesn’t show how
our economy is going to create
decent work with higher wages,
and it doesn’t support Kiwis to
get the knowledge and training
opportunities to participate in the
new economy.
Instead, what we saw were the
classic election sweeteners of
tax cuts. In spite of the rhetoric,
the reality is National’s package
does not deliver for those most
in need. While I’ll get a tax cut of
around $20 per week, the person
who cleans my Wellington office
receives around $1 per week. This
is neither right nor fair. Labour
can’t support an approach that
increases inequality.
I know that for people in Wigram,
any extra money gained
through these tax cuts is an
illusion. The extra money will be
eaten up with the increased cost
of visiting the GP that doctors
warned about following Thursday’s
Budget. They will also have
to continue to dip deeper into
their pockets to help out the local
school as there is an $80m shortfall
in education funding.
Tragically, there was nothing
to release the pressure on our
cash-strapped Canterbury District
Health Board, which is struggling
to balance the broader health
needs of the city with the specific
mental health crisis. Currently, the
CBHB is operating on a deficit of
$45.27 million – and this funding
increase of $39.68 million doesn’t
cover it.
What we need are some fresh
ideas to make sure all New Zealanders
receive their fair share of
the prosperity. A Labour Government
will invest in a health system
that meets the need of our growing
population. We will invest in
an education system that prepares
people for the 21st century. We
will clean up our rivers and make
the Kiwi dream of home-ownership
a reality again.
•Megan Woods is Labour’s
Canterbury spokeswoman
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