Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Visitor Experience

“Welcome to Christchurch the Garden City, City of Exploration.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christchurch
https://www.christchurchnz.com/christchurch/

Languages of New Zealand
Our main language is English. Our official languages are Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_New_Zealand
“After the February 2011 earthquake, Jeremy Borland, ‘the sign-language guy’, became a familiar face on our television sets. Night after night he appeared on the news, translating the words of (former) Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and others into sign language.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/8262168/Quake-fame-days-now-a-bit-of-a-blur

Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: Website & App
– ‘Accessible’ website needs to be in English and Māori, Google Translate enabled, ‘Closed Captioning’ enabled,  with videos of NZ Sign Language interpreter Jeremy Borland.
– Native Plants: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/
– Native Birds: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/
– Plants for Birds: https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/conservation-activities/attract-birds-to-your-garden/what-to-plant/
– Bird Calls: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/bird-songs-and-calls/
– Interactive Maps, ‘You Are Here’ marker, linking to Wayfinding and Interpretive signage throughout ‘Cultural Trail’ from City to Surf.
– ‘What’s On’ Events Calendar, with Interactive Map, showing location of event in the Corridor, and transport options.
– ‘Tell Our Stories’, see Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories” Post.

Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: Cultural Trail
– ‘Cultural Trail’ designed by ‘Cultural Trail Team’: Ōtākaro Ltd, Heritage New Zealand, Christchurch City Council Parks Unit and Matapopore Charitable Trust Artists.
– ‘Cultural Trail’ needs to carry on from the work that has been done in the CBD by Ōtākaro Ltd, to create a consistent theme from City to Surf.
– ‘Cultural Trail’ needs two types of signage: Wayfinding and Interpretive
– Wayfinding: Visual Map, ‘You Are Here’ marker, QR Code link to website/Google Translate, QR Code link to app/Google Maps, Emergency Contact Details
– Interpretive: Identity/Education, site’s historic significance, drawing attention to an area’s unique history and identity, QR Code link to website/Google Translate
– Signage Design Guidelines set by ‘Cultural Trail Team’ to ensure all signage is of the same consistent branding and high quality presentation.
– Official Christchurch City Council signage needs to be easily identifiable, so visitors can navigate through the Corridor safely.
– ‘Accessible’ signage needs to be in English and Māori, with QR Code link to website/Google Translate, with videos of NZ Sign Language interpreter Jeremy Borland
– ‘Tell Our Stories’, see Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories” Post.

Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: ‘Our People, Our Places’ Park Rangers
“Christchurch City Council park rangers supervise, maintain, enhance and protect our urban and regional parks.”
https://ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/volunteer-in-parks/working-with-rangers
‘Our People, Our Places’ Park Rangers, ambassadors/information specialists on the Corridor environment, native plants and birds.
Welcoming visitors to the Corridor, helpful ‘mobile’ information centre, friendly ‘eyes/ears’ throughout the Corridor, making sure visitors are safe.

Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: ‘Our People, Our Places’ Māori Wardens
“The strength of Māori Warden’s is their intimate knowledge of, and close connection to their local communities.”
“Māori Wardens create safer communities, encourage and assist rangatahi, and support whānau.”
https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/whakamahia/maori-wardens
‘Our People, Our Places’ Māori Warden’s, ambassadors/information specialists on our Māori culture, and our Māori heritage connected to the Corridor.
Welcoming visitors to the Corridor, helpful ‘mobile’ information centre, friendly ‘eyes/ears’ throughout the Corridor, making sure visitors are safe.

“Our Shared Ōtākaro Avon River Vision
The river is part of us and we are part of the river.
It is a living part of our city.
A place of history and culture
where people gather, play, and celebrate together.
A place of learning and discovery
where traditional knowledge, science and technology meet.
A place for ideas and innovation
where we create new ways of living and connecting.
OUR VISION IS FOR THE RIVER TO CONNECT US TOGETHER –
with each other, with nature and with new possibilities.”

Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Proposed Places/Visitor Experiences
In the Draft OARC Regeneration Plan, based on “Our Shared Ōtākaro Avon River Vision” above, and the “Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: Visitor Demographics” below, do we have a balanced Plan?
– Are there enough places/visitor experiences for history and culture?
– Are there enough places/visitor experiences for learning and discovery?
– Are there enough places/visitor experiences for ideas and innovation?
– Are the proposed places/visitor experiences adding to the “Garden City, City of Exploration” theme?

Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: Visitor Demographics
https://www.stats.govt.nz/topics/tourism
https://www.christchurchnz.org.nz/media/2555/christchurch-visitor-strategy-2016.pdf
https://www.christchurchnz.org.nz/media/7349/cnz0033-annual-review-2017_fa_web.pdf
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/christchurch-and-canterbury/christchurch
“Top experiences in Christchurch: Tram, Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Art Gallery, Canterbury Museum, Quake City, International Antarctic Centre.”
“Top sights in Christchurch: Botanic Gardens, Quake City, Christchurch Art Gallery, Riccarton House & Bush, Arts Centre, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Gondola, Hagley Park.”
https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/12-reasons-everyone-should-visit-christchurch-new-zealand-at-least-once/
“World-famous street art, Quake City, Garden City (aka Christchurch Botanic Gardens), Traditional icons, The contemporary Cardboard Cathedral, A gateway to Arthur’s Pass, A gateway to Antarctica, The enduring Christchurch Art Gallery, The breathtaking Banks Peninsula, The classic New Regent Street, Markets and public spaces galore, and the remarkable Isaac Theatre Royal.”
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/christchurch/statistics-and-facts/facts-stats-and-figures/tourism-and-visitors/arrivals/
Christchurch City Council Visitor Arrivals:
“Australian residents make up almost half of overseas arrivals at Christchurch Airport.”
“Almost one third of overseas visitors arriving in New Zealand via Christchurch Airport indicated they were here for a holiday.”
“The next most common reason for coming to New Zealand was to visit friends or family.”
“In the year ended June 2018, domestic tourists spent $1.9 billion in the ChristchurchNZ RTO, which was 63% of total tourist spending. Domestic tourism expenditure was less impacted by the earthquakes than international.”
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/christchurch/statistics-and-facts/facts-stats-and-figures/tourism-and-visitors/visitor-perceptions/
Christchurch City Council Visitor Perceptions:
“In 2018, visitors living elsewhere in New Zealand mainly came to Christchurch to visit friends and family, or for a holiday.
Visitors from overseas mainly came to the City for a holiday/vacation.”
“In 2018, the City’s visitors were most satisfied with accommodation and transport to the City, and least satisfied with parking/other public facilities.”
“Access to visitor information was rated highly by visitors, at over 8 out of 10 in 2018.”
“Domestic visitors to Christchurch are mainly here to visit friends/family (34%), followed by a holiday (20%) and business reasons (13%).”
“Creativity scored the highest, with around 81% of visitors agreeing that Christchurch was creative.”
“The majority of visitors to the city agree that Christchurch is safe. Visitors from overseas are more likely to agree that Christchurch is safe (85% in 2018, compared with 79% of domestic visitors).”
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/christchurch/statistics-and-facts/facts-stats-and-figures/tourism-and-visitors/accommodation/
“In June 2018, there were 210 commercial accommodation establishments in the City.”
“Airbnb accommodation is growing rapidly in Christchurch. In June 2018 there were 2331 active Airbnb listings for rooms and entire homes/apartments, which has since increased to 2500 in October 2018.”
“In the 12 months ending September 2018, there has been a noticeable seasonal trend to guests staying at Airbnbs, with the greatest demand during the summer months. Airbnb guest nights peaked in February 2018, with an estimated 104,000 guests for the month.”
“In 2018, visitors from Australia and New Zealand rated their satisfaction with the availability of accommodation at 8 out of 10, which was slightly higher than other international visitors (7.8).”
“New Zealand visitors were more satisfied with the price of accommodation than international visitors, with an overall rating of 7.4 out of 10 (compared with 7.2 for international visitors).”

Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories”

This post: http://riseuprichmond.nz/red-zone-futures-otakaro-avon-river-corridor/, from the “Red Zone Futures: Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor” Public Exhibition talks about “Our Six Key Principles”.

4. Memories – Nga Maharatanga
Before the earthquakes, many communities called the Regeneration Area home. Some families had lived there for generations, forging strong local bonds and enjoying a high quality of life.
Sense of place was strong, and residents drew their identity from their connections to the river, parks, estuary and sea.
Countless memories were made in the schools, parks and homes in the area. While the face of the land has changed immeasurably, these stories will always be treasured.”

How can we honour these memories?
– Maintain some original streets and residential plantings.
– Retain landscape elements such as curb cut-downs, street lights and signs.
– Incorporate recycled materials like letterboxes or keys in art.
– Provide opportunities to remember former homeowners’ names in the landscape.
– Investigate repurposing the Medway Street footbridge.
– Establish an information centre or outdoor museum.
– Providing interpretation of pre-European, European and ‘red zoning’ with signs and apps.”

Heritage – Dr Christine Whybrew from Heritage New Zealand
https://engage.regeneratechristchurch.nz/what-needs-does-christchurch-have-that-could-be-met-by-the-otakaro-avon-river-corridor/videos/3540
“In the Red Zone here in Avonside we can see a number of established trees and plantings, these would be connected to people’s home, to businesses, to life in this area. So we probably need to think about how we are going to protect these trees and plantings into the future to ensure the stories remain connected to the place, and then the people remain connected to the place.”

Local History, Local People (Post Earthquakes)
http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-road-park/
Park Benches/Picnic Tables
To honor the families that had a home in the residential Red Zone along River Road, I would like a park bench or picnic table to be installed between the footpath and the road, with a named plaque, to honor what they have lost, and so they can come back to visit and have somewhere to sit and enjoy the Avon River views again.
‘White Picket Fence’ Garden
Keep the remaining garden plants along the front of the residential Red Zone along River Road. Plant native trees/plants behind these garden plants, to create a tiered effect.
Use a white picket paling, to mark the address of each house, with the house number on the paling, and a QR code, to link to a website/street view map, to remember and show visitors to the area the homes along River Road, from the 1900s to pre Christchurch earthquakes.

Think: Christchurch with Hila Oren
http://riseuprichmond.nz/think-christchurch-with-hila-oren/
“Ms Oren heard about Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expeditions when she was on a leadership programme at Harvard University in the United States.
‘You need to celebrate your links to history and tell the stories of Shackleton, Edmund Hillary, New Zealand’s suffrage leader, Kate Sheppard, and others who have played such a huge part in what your city is today,’ she says.”

Local History, Local People (Pre Earthquakes)
So who are our people from the past, connected to the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor?
– John Deans (Pioneer, Riccarton House & Bush)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Deans_(pioneer)
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/the-pioneering-deans-family/
“took a whaleboat up the Avon River”
https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1d7/deans-john
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/content/riccarton-bush-a-remnant-of-the-kahikatea-swamp-forest-formerly-existing-in-the-neighbourhood-of-christchurch-new-zealand/
http://www.riccartonhouse.co.nz/
OARC Regeneration Plan Idea by Joanna Gould: http://riseuprichmond.nz/kerrs-reach/
– Richard Bedward Owen (“River Bank” Owen, Businessman, Conservationist, Philanthropist, “a man of great vision”)
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Publications/RichManPoorMan/RichardBedwardOwen/
“Richard established the River Improvement Fund.”
“developing in his mind a plan ‘to take in hand the river and make up for past neglect.'”
“In a ceremony on 1 September 1929, politicians local and national planted 53 lime trees on the north bank between the Swanns Road bridge and Medway Street. Today the river reserves and the mature trees which overlook the water form mute testament to Richard and his navvies.”
https://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/276787037
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Publications/RichManPoorMan/
OARC Regeneration Plan Idea by Joanna Gould: http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-bank-centre/ & https://www.getcreativechristchurch.nz/river-bank-centre/
– William A. Sutton (Artist, Painter, Craftsman, Teacher)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Sutton_(artist)
“built a house in Templar Street in the Christchurch suburb of Richmond.”
“Until his retirement in 1992, he painted most of his works there.”
“Bill Sutton was commemorated as one of the Twelve Local Heroes, and a bronze bust of him was unveiled outside the Christchurch Arts Centre.”
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/william-sutton/
https://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/591338037
https://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/634486037
OARC Regeneration Plan Idea by Joanna Gould: http://riseuprichmond.nz/suttons-place/ & https://www.getcreativechristchurch.nz/suttons-place/
– Elsie Locke (Writer, Historian, Activist)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsie_Locke
“made a remarkable contribution to New Zealand society”
“Unusually for a Pākehā of her generation, she developed a close relationship with the local iwi in Waiuku, Ngāti Te Ata, and her later research proved vital to their Treaty of Waitangi claim.”
“Locke was probably best known as a children’s writer.”
“Locke realised her lack of knowledge about Māori language, culture, history, and spirituality. This led her to study the language, and incorporate biculturalism as a central feature of her writing long before it was fashionable to do so.”
“Along with Rod Donald, Locke was active in the founding of the Avon Loop Planning Association (ALPA) and in the ongoing development of community in the historic Avon Loop residential area in central Christchurch.”
“The Elsie Locke Park was located on Oxford Terrace in front of the Centennial Pool, but was removed after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake to make way for the Margaret Mahy Playground.”
“Locke was commemorated as one of the Twelve Local Heroes, and a bronze bust of her was unveiled outside the Christchurch Arts Centre.”
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/elsie-locke/
“lived in the same cottage in the Avon Loop for over 40 years.”
“Locke was also a key figure in the restoration, with native plants, of the banks of the Avon as it flowed through the Avon Loop.”
“Elsie researched thoroughly to find out about the time and place the novel was set in, and with her imagination weaves this research into an exciting account of colonial life in Canterbury.”
http://www.elsielocketrust.org.nz/
OARC Regeneration Plan Idea by Joanna Gould: http://riseuprichmond.nz/retreat-road-park/ & https://www.getcreativechristchurch.nz/maori-heritage-park/
– Rod Donald (Politician, Green Party co-leader)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Donald
“Along with Rod Donald, Locke was active in the founding of the Avon Loop Planning Association (ALPA) and in the ongoing development of community in the historic Avon Loop residential area in central Christchurch.”
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/rod-donald/
“Christchurch-based Green politician who promoted ways of acting and living in an alternative manner, with his involvement in pioneering organisations Ecology Action, Piko Wholefoods and Trade Aid.”
“When he moved to live in Christchurch’s inner city Avon Loop area in the later 1970s he helped develop a loose community of households with a common vision of sustainable living.”
“The ‘Avon Loop’ community of the 1970s brought together Rod Donald and Elsie Locke, to share their vision for sustainable living in the city.”
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10354561
“The bus signified Mr Donald’s passionate support for public transport facilities and the cyclists honoured his own favourite form of personal transport.”
“Christchurch Cathedral Dean Peter Beck said there was no more appropriate a place to farewell the environmental crusader touted as one of life’s truly nice guys and one of Christchurch’s favourite sons.”
“A Zimbabwean interdenominational group paid tribute to Mr Donald’s support for ethnic minorities through song and dance. He was, they said, their hero.”
http://roddonaldtrust.co.nz/
OARC Regeneration Plan Idea by Joanna Gould:
http://riseuprichmond.nz/retreat-road-park/ & https://www.getcreativechristchurch.nz/maori-heritage-park/
– Alexander William Bickerton (First Professor of Chemistry at Canterbury College, taught Ernest Rutherford, Partial Impact Theory)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_William_Bickerton
“He is best known for teaching and mentoring Ernest Rutherford.”
“He was a natural teacher though an eccentric one, who taught science in an exciting way.”
“His differences weren’t limited to teaching as he formed a socialist community in Christchurch, which he later set up as a theme park.”
“His partial impact theory explaining the appearance of temporary stars was the major work of his lifetime.”
“With inheritance money he set up a wood-working factory using machines that he had invented.”
“To increase interest he held night classes for adults, and basic chemistry classes for school children.”
“The suburb Wainoni is now an eastern suburb in Christchurch, New Zealand – taken from the name of Bickerton’s home translated from Māori meaning ‘the bend in the water.'”
“Bickerton St in Christchurch was named after him, and is in the location of the original Wainoni home.”
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/professor-a-w-bickerton/
“He built a large house (long since demolished) called ‘Wainoni’ on 20 to 30 acres of land in what is now the suburb of Wainoni.”
“turned the gardens of ‘Wainoni’ into a pleasure garden where thousands came to watch the spectacles he created including naval battles with real explosives, shipwrecks and rescues, which were staged on an artificial lake.”
“The year before his death he was made Professor Emeritus of Canterbury College.”
“His ashes are lodged in the wall of the Great Hall of the Arts Centre behind a bronze plaque.”
https://www.artscentre.org.nz/reflect/professor-alexander-bickerton/
https://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/365355037
OARC Regeneration Plan Idea by Joanna Gould:
http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-bank-centre/, https://www.getcreativechristchurch.nz/river-bank-centre/ & http://riseuprichmond.nz/kerrs-reach/
– James Arthur Flesher (Mayor of Christchurch (1923-1925), Politician, Solicitor, Barrister)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Arthur_Flesher
“He was elected onto the Richmond Ward of Christchurch City Council.”
“He was the mayor of the New Brighton Borough from 1915 to 1917.”
“From 1918 to 1920, he represented Christchurch City Council as a councillor.”
“From 1923 to 1925, Flesher was the elected Mayor of Christchurch.”
“Flesher senior commissioned Avebury House from architect James Glanville. The 4,289 m2 dwelling was completed in 1885.”
“Flesher Avenue, off Eveleyn Couzins Avenue, is named after the Flesher family. Both roads occupy land that was previously part of the Avebury House property.”
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/james-arthur-flesher/
“After James’s death it passed to his son Herbert, who in 1945 sold Avebury and eight acres to the crown.”
“In 1951 the house and land were transferred over to the Christchurch City Council and the Citizens of Christchurch for recreational use.”
“The house became the Cora Wilding Youth Hostel, and the land a park.”
OARC Regeneration Plan Idea by Joanna Gould:
http://riseuprichmond.nz/avebury-house/ & http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-road-park/
– Cora Wilding (Physiotherapist, Artist)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cora_Wilding
“best remembered for her advocacy of outdoor activities and children’s health camps in the 1930s.”
“She was instrumental in the founding of The Sunlight League in 1930.”
“and also the Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand in 1932.”
“She was made a patron of the Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand in 1938 and a life member in 1968.”
“The first Christchurch youth hostel (1965–1997), formerly Avebury House the Flesher home, was called the ‘Cora Wilding Youth Hostel’ in her honour.”
https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4w17/wilding-cora-hilda-blanche
“She was fond of drawing, and in 1907 enrolled at the Canterbury College School of Art to study under Sydney Thompson. In 1910 she joined Margaret Stoddart’s sketching class, then spent the next two years in Europe, studying at the Bushey School of Painting in Hertfordshire, and with Frances Hodgkins and others in Paris.”
“Her most distinctive contribution to the league was as its health camp organiser. The camps emphasised outdoor living, healthy food, daily sunbathing and swimming, appreciation of natural beauty and country life, and service to others. Unlike other camps of the period, drama, music and debating featured, along with elements of Māori culture – considered very advanced at the time.”
“Her private collection of paintings was sold in 1971 for the benefit of Te Wai Pounamu Māori Girls’ College.”
“She opposed rugby tours to South Africa and the Vietnam War, and sold flowers and paintings to raise money for Vietnamese children, Hong Kong refugees, Māori educational groups, the University of the South Pacific, the Cobham Outward Bound School and the Red Cross.”
OARC Regeneration Plan Idea by Joanna Gould:
http://riseuprichmond.nz/avebury-house/ & http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-road-park/

Additional Information
http://riseuprichmond.nz/red-zone-futures-heritage-dr-christine-whybrew-from-heritage-new-zealand/
http://riseuprichmond.nz/red-zone-futures-the-story-of-our-river/
http://riseuprichmond.nz/red-zone-futures-cultural-archaeology-and-heritage/
http://riseuprichmond.nz/red-zone-futures-land-maps-and-information/
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/local-people/

Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Feedback

“Our Shared Ōtākaro Avon River Vision
The river is part of us and we are part of the river.
It is a living part of our city.
A place of history and culture
where people gather, play, and celebrate together.
A place of learning and discovery
where traditional knowledge, science and technology meet.
A place for ideas and innovation
where we create new ways of living and connecting.
OUR VISION IS FOR THE RIVER TO CONNECT US TOGETHER –
with each other, with nature and with new possibilities.”

Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Proposed Places/Visitor Experiences
In the Draft OARC Regeneration Plan, based on “Our Shared Ōtākaro Avon River Vision” above, do we have a balanced Plan?
– Are there enough places/visitor experiences for history and culture?
– Are there enough places/visitor experiences for learning and discovery?
– Are there enough places/visitor experiences for ideas and innovation?
– Are the proposed places/visitor experiences adding to the “Garden City, City of Exploration” theme?

Below is my feedback on the Draft OARC Regeneration Plan:
https://engage.regeneratechristchurch.nz/40555/documents/92778
Supporting Information:
Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories” Post
Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Visitor Experience Post
Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Community Needs Post

Vision And Objectives/Tō Tātou Tirohanga (Pg 22)
– Feedback: Support in Part. I don’t think there are enough places/visitor experiences that relate to the Vision: history and culture, learning and discovery, ideas and innovation.
Practising mahinga kai/Hei mahi: Mahinga kai (Pg 24)
– Feedback: Support, Te Pa o Rakaihautu School, more learning spaces/centres, opportunities for visitor participation with creativity needed.
– Opportunities: https://www.getcreativechristchurch.nz/maori-heritage-park/, Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories” Post, Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Visitor Experience Post Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: ‘Our People, Our Places’ Māori Wardens
Regenerating nature/Hei oranga taiao (Pg 26)
– Feedback: Support, CCC “Consider adding a community-led plant nursery to connect and involve communities in restoration efforts through growing and supplying the plants required.”
– Opportunities: involve Dallington/Horsehoe Lake/Burwood residents, SkillsShare between retired gardeners and teenagers wanting to learn, Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Visitor Experience Post Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: ‘Our People, Our Places’ Park Rangers
– “SAP” Program: ‘Sponsor A Plant’, interactive web based sponsorship program, any one in the world can help with the replanting of the Corridor, selecting from a range of plants, yearly sponsorship fee includes: photo updates and location of planting so visitors can find ‘their’ plant in the Corridor, incentive to come to Christchurch and see ‘their’ plant in person.
Connecting and involving communities/Te whakahono me te whakauru hapori (Pg 28)
– Feedback: Support.
– Opportunities: Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories” Post and Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Community Needs Post
Creating prosperity/Te whai rawa (Pg 30)
– Feedback: Support.
– Opportunities: http://riseuprichmond.nz/think-christchurch-with-hila-oren/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/planning-a-bright-future-for-richmond/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/idea-to-make-stanmore-rd-an-international-smorgasbord/
A destination for all/He wāhi mō te katoa (Pg 32)
– Feedback: Support in Part. Oppose: Whitewater facilities, International Ecotourism, Hotel and Christchurch on a Plate.
– Opportunities: see Ōtākaro Loop Reach/Te Mātāwai o Ōtākaro (Pg 50) & Horseshoe Lake Reach/Te Mātāwai o Ōraka (Pg 52).
Living with water/Ngā tikanga wai (Pg 34)
– Feedback: Support in Part. Better planning and engagement needed for communities affected by earthworks for stopbanks, and heavy trucks using local streets, after damage to Richmond roads (10-15 years rebuild budget/plan), affecting the mental health/wellbeing of Richmond residents, and disruptions to Richmond businesses income.
– Opportunities: http://riseuprichmond.nz/dudley-creek/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-bank-centre/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/kerrs-reach/
Living Laboratory/Hanga taiao ora (Pg 36)
– Feedback: Support in Part. Adapative Housing, may be too soon for those Red Zone residents forced to sell/move from this area.
– Opportunities: http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-bank-centre/

A View For The Future/He Kitenga Mō Te Wāheke (Pg 40)
– Feedback: Support in Part. Adapative Housing/Edge Housing: may be too soon for those Red Zone residents forced to sell/move from this area.
East–West road bridge: New Brighton Road is our only scenic route from City to Sea, we need to be enhancing this area by the river, the bridge would detract from the Garden City theme, and Christchurch East residents need their earthquake damaged local roads fixed first.
Landings: need to only offer the basics, not retail shops, detracts from the Garden City/Exploration theme, plenty of retail shops already in this area (The Palms, Eastgate, Richmond Village/Stanmore Road, New Brighton).
The preferred land uses/Ngā tikanga mahi whenua i mariu ai (Pg 42)
– Feedback: Support in Part. More could be done to align: the Vision and Objectives for the area, reflecting community aspirations, being technically suitable for the land and sympathetic to environmental conditions, with the Garden City/Exploration theme.
The Greenprint/Te Tākākāriki (Pg 45)
– Feedback: Support in Part. Issues with Ōtākaro Loop and Horseshoe Lake Reach.
Green Spine/Te Tuarā Kākāriki (Pg 48)
– Feedback: Support in Part. Landscape plan needs plants/trees at different heights and different spacings for visibility throughout the Corridor, to make sure the area is safe for visitors.
– Opportunities: To deter anti-social behaviour, lighting and security cameras are needed throughout the Corridor, Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Visitor Experience Post Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: ‘Our People, Our Places’ Park Rangers & Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: ‘Our People, Our Places’ Māori Wardens.
Ōtākaro Loop Reach/Te Mātāwai o Ōtākaro (Pg 50)
– Feedback: Support in Part. Oppose: International Ecotourism (visitors come to NZ to see our natives, visually doesn’t fit with nature in a “predominantly natural landscape”, looks ‘man made’, “The attraction becomes an island in east Christchurch and is not integrated into the community or creates gentrification or displacement in east Christchurch”, Cultural/Archaeology/Heritage site), Hotel (already CBD, Bealey Ave, Airbnb) and Christchurch on a Plate (already The Palms, Eastgate, Richmond Village/Stanmore Road, New Brighton).
– Opportunities: Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Community Needs Post (Shirley/Richmond, new Community Centre at 10 Shirley Road opposite Shirley Primary School, includes Shirley Library, Learning Spaces, Service Centre, sell Shirley Library building at The Palms), Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories” Post (William A. Sutton, James Arthur Flesher, Cora Wilding, Richard Bedward Owen, Elsie Locke, Rod Donald),
http://riseuprichmond.nz/avebury-house/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/kai-town/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/street-art/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-road-park/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/suttons-place/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-bank-centre/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/retreat-road-park/
Horseshoe Lake Reach/Te Mātāwai o Ōraka (Pg 52)
– Feedback: Support in Part. Oppose: Whitewater facilities (wrong climate in Christchurch for this facility, concerns over Christchurch water supply, “The attraction becomes an island in east Christchurch and is not integrated into the community or creates gentrification or displacement in east Christchurch”, Cultural/Archaeology/Heritage site),  and East–West road bridge (New Brighton Road is our only scenic route from City to Sea, we need to be enhancing this area by the river, the bridge would detract from the Garden City theme, and Christchurch East residents need their earthquake damaged local roads fixed first).
– Opportunities: Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Community Needs Post (Dallington/Burwood/Avondale, new Community Centre at 255 New Brighton Road close to All Saints Church, includes Coastal-Burwood Governance Unit more central to their residents, small Meeting/Learning spaces with kitchen, Service Centre, Volunteer Library similar to Redcliffs Village Library, sell Shirley Library building at The Palms), Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories” Post, “Community, education and culturally based activities, founded on the principles of kaitiakitanga, tikanga, traditional ecological knowledge and practices, kāinga nohoanga and ki uta ki tai, would enable Ngāi Tahu to reaffirm their enduring relationship and cultural association with this locality”, and would compliment the Te Pa o Rakaihautu School.
Eastern Reaches/Ngā Mātāwai Rāwhiti (Pg 54)
– Feedback: Support.
– Opportunities: http://riseuprichmond.nz/kerrs-reach/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/woodham-park/, Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: “Tell Our Stories” Post (John Deans, Richard Bedward Owen, Alexander William Bickerton, Cora Wilding)

Transformation Over Time/Mā Te Wā Ka Puāwai Te Kaupapa
– Phase 1: Create the platform/Mata 1: Hanga te atamira (Pg 62)
Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Community Needs Post (Dallington/Burwood/Avondale new Community Centre at 255 New Brighton Road & Shirley/Richmond new Community Centre at 10 Shirley Road), Draft OARC Regeneration Plan: Visitor Experience Post Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: Website & App, Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: Cultural Trail, Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: ‘Our People, Our Places’ Park Rangers, Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor: ‘Our People, Our Places’ Māori Wardens, http://riseuprichmond.nz/richmond-village/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/suttons-place/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/avon-otakaro-cycle-route/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-road-park/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/retreat-road-park/
– Phase 2: Welcome people in/Mata 2: Te whakatau tāngata (Pg 66)
http://riseuprichmond.nz/dudley-creek/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/avebury-house/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/kai-town/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/street-art/, http://riseuprichmond.nz/woodham-park/,
– Phase 3: Secure the future/Mata 3: Te whakawhita wāheke (Pg 70)
http://riseuprichmond.nz/river-bank-centre/,
http://riseuprichmond.nz/kerrs-reach/

Think: Christchurch with Hila Oren

Thank you Facebook AI engine for suggesting I go to this event:

Think: Christchurch with Hila Oren
The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts
Monday, 10th September 2018
https://youtu.be/YDjZDEsKNS0
“The following guest speakers will be joining our ‘Thinker in Residence’ on the stage to share their thoughts on how Christchurch, a city of explorers, could leverage our unique selling point.
Simon Hunter | KPMG, Nigel Watson | NZ Antarctic Heritage Trust, Jasina Gurung and Thomas Akolo | Linwood College, Lianne Dalziel | Christchurch Mayor and Tim Loftus | ChristchurchNZ

“Are you an explorer? We think most people from Christchurch are. Come along and hear from some talented and passionate people about where they think being a city of explorers could take Christchurch.”

Christchurch on progressive path
“Christchurch’s first ‘thinker in residence’ believes the city is moving in the right direction. Ms Oren, who is the chief executive of the Tel Aviv Foundation, is considered a global leader in creating a city’s narrative, supporting entrepreneurialism and philanthropy.

She has been brought back to the city for two months by the Christchurch Foundation as the first ‘thinker in residence’ to engage with city leaders, charities and social enterprises on several projects. She has shared her infectious enthusiasm for ‘city making’ at this week’s Think Christchurch workshop, delivering a thought-provoking keynote address.

Ms Oren heard about Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expeditions when she was on a leadership programme at Harvard University in the United States.
‘You need to celebrate your links to history and tell the stories of Shackleton, Edmund Hillary, New Zealand’s suffrage leader, Kate Sheppard, and others who have played such a huge part in what your city is today,’ she says.

‘Explorers from all over the world should want to touch Christchurch’s spirit to inspire them.’
‘As to the future, your city is at a crucial stage of considering ‘where to, now’. Even just bringing me from the other side of the world to help you think through ideas demonstrates that you are bold in taking the next step.'”
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/newsline/show/2980

Elevating the City’s Quality of Life
Education | Arts & Culture | Social Services | Innovation | Environment
https://youtu.be/qdaobm0f85w
Building Knowledge | Speaker Series 2017/18 | Hila Oren

My Story…
For me the “Think: Christchurch” event, was inspiring and encouraging, listening to the guest speakers speaking my language, using words I use, talking about a vision for Christchurch similar to mine.
I am a Christchurch resident ‘thinker’. I went to the above event because I have a creative growth mindset. I’ve been listening/learning/researching and creating ideas to help our community.

During this week I’ve read articles/comments regarding this event and listened to: ‘What does a thinker in residence do?’ Chris Lynch/NewstalkZB asked Christchurch Foundation chief executive Amy Carter.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings/audio/what-does-a-thinker-in-residence-do/
The irony is that without ‘thinkers’ sharing their thoughts on talkback radio, this radio show wouldn’t exist as it does, the ‘thinkers’ help provide the content.
‘Thinkers’ have value and add value to our communities.

When I started with this ‘project’ https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/imagine/ in April 2018, I didn’t have a clue where this journey would take me.

In May 2018 I presented my verbal submission ‘You Are Here’ to the Christchurch City Council’s 2018 Long Term Plan, for the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre, to create a multi-cultural centre as a ‘Gateway to the East.’

Afterwards I went to the Christchurch Art Gallery for the first time.
I walked through the exhibitions admiring all the artworks, and then I found ‘Our Collection: 19th and 20th Century New Zealand Art’.
The saying goes ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’, but standing in front of the Māori portraits, the 3 words that came into my mind were: ‘Tell Our Stories’.
https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/exhibitions/1058-historic-2018-changeover

I had been given a map of the Art Gallery, and as I was looking for the name of the Māori portraits exhibition, another name jumped out at me ‘You Are Here’.
It took me awhile to find this in the Outer Spaces. It is a signpost.
“- looking at the influences these artists had drawn on
– related to distance/directions from these artworks to this location
– how isolated we are in NZ and how we draw on influences from outside
– you are here, and what are you going to do about it?
– a challenge to the people of Christchurch post earthquakes”
https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/events/outer-spaces-guided-tour-with-guest-artist-matt-ak
https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/multimedia/artist-interviews/matt-akehurst-interviewAC

Christchurch, The Garden City, known for its English heritage, Avon River, Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Cathedral…
“The city suffered a series of earthquakes between September 2010 and early 2012, with the most destructive of them occurring at 12.51 p.m. on Tuesday, 22 February 2011, in which 185 people were killed and thousands of buildings across the city collapsed or suffered severe damage. By late 2013, 1,500 buildings in the city had been demolished, leading to an ongoing recovery and rebuilding project.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christchurch

Post earthquakes the people in the East have been waiting/fighting for repairs/rebuilds, our footpaths/roads are ‘munted’, some of our schools have been closed/relocated, and our mental health/well-being has suffered.

The quintessential photo Hila captured of the girls dressed in kilts, walking to school through the trees and daffodils, had me thinking.
– Why was this image important?
– How many of us have driven passed the same scene and thought nothing of it?
– Did you notice their school uniforms? How are they designed?
– Are the girls just talking? Or are they making connections that will last them a lifetime?

Hila is right, we need to start appreciating what we do have.
We need to reframe some of the stories we have been telling ourselves.
Yes the earthquakes happened in Christchurch, we can learn from them and share our learning with others around the world, but they aren’t our identity.

Christchurch is still ‘The Garden City’.
How many photos did you see on social media this weekend, of people admiring the cherry blossom trees in full bloom around Hagley Park?

Yes we are explorers, it is in our DNA, and in our school uniforms (logos, kilts, Māori designs).
Our roots go back to the brave explorers, our Māori people and those who travelled on the First Four Ships. They went on a journey to discover the unknown, to learn more about the world and the new lands they would find.

Standing in the foyer during the break at this event, I was reminded again as we introduced ourselves, a person’s identity in Christchurch is connected to ‘what school did you go to?’

Learning is part of our Christchurch identity.
Our communities are centered around our schools.
Our education connects us to social networks/employment.
We value learning and the places it can take us.
“The MORE that you READ. The more THINGS you will KNOW. The MORE you LEARN. The more PLACES you’ll GO!” – Dr. Seuss

Q. Why is identity, well-being and learning important for our people?
A. When we know who we are (identity), what we need to be healthy (well-being), and the importance of a growth mindset (learning), this causes a positive ripple effect in our businesses, communities and economy.

Through my research I realised the ideas I had created, had a common theme: learning.
Shirley Community Centre: library with learning spaces available for anyone in the community to use
Sutton’s Place: arts/crafts community with learning spaces for local/overseas teachers to provide classes/workshops/retreats, opportunity to learn about W. A. (Bill) Sutton and his teaching/artworks and house/garden
Māori Heritage Park: indoor/outdoor learning spaces for Māori architecture/arts/crafts, opportunities to learn about the Māori language/culture/stories/legends
River Bank Centre: research/design/technology hub with learning spaces to inspire/educate with STEAM, opportunity to see startup/innovation businesses and to learn about Richard Bedward Owen and why he was called ‘River Bank’ Owen.

Q. Why do we need these types of learning facilities in the East?
To inspire/educate the children/teenagers living in the East, who now have fewer options for schools, and limited access to continued learning outside of the schools.
We need to open the eyes of every child in Christchurch to what is possible through learning.
In the south of Christchurch, children/teenagers see those attending Ara Institute of Canterbury.
In the west of Christchurch, children/teenagers see those attending the University of Canterbury.

Our access to knowledge and where our locals have gathered since the earthquakes, is currently hidden in the car park of The Palms, as our Shirley Library.
I see the 10 Shirley Road site (opposite Shirley Primary School) for the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre, as an opportunity to show our children/teenagers that continued learning is possible once they leave school, and to inspire them to become ‘explorers’ and pursue their dreams.
The rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre represents laying a new foundation stone as the ‘Gateway to the East’, that says ‘we value our children and we value their learning’.
Hila Oren is right ‘it starts with our children’.

“Tangata ako ana i te kāenga, te tūranga ki te marae, tau ana.
A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society.”
https://www.facebook.com/ChchFoundation/

We do need to ‘reframe our mindset’. We don’t need to rebuild our communities back to what they were pre earthquakes.
Post earthquakes we have the opportunity to tell the unique stories of our local people, to inspire/educate a new generation, leave a legacy for the generations to come, and to create new spaces/places/attractions, for the local/New Zealand/overseas ‘explorers’.

We need to move forward from ‘Think: Christchurch’ to ‘Get Creative Christchurch’!

“Think: Christchurch with Hila Oren” Post | Links
https://www.telavivfoundation.org/team/hila-oren/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdaobm0f85w Building Knowledge | Speaker Series 2017/18
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/106339468/new-thinker-in-residence-announced-for-christchurch
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/newsline/show/2980 Christchurch on progressive path
http://www.metropol.co.nz/creating-global-cities-qa-with-hila-oren/
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings/audio/what-does-a-thinker-in-residence-do/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/106961822/let-it-go-global-thinker-tells-christchurch ‘Let it go’, global thinker tells Christchurch

“Get Creative Christchurch” Website

Welcome to my “Get Creative Christchurch” website:
https://www.getcreativechristchurch.nz/

Our People
Identity | Well-being | Learning | Business | Community | Economy

Our Places | Shirley Community Centre
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/
Creative Books | Learning Spaces

Our Places | Rise Up Richmond
http://riseuprichmond.nz/
Street Art | Sutton’s Place | Māori Heritage Park | River Bank Centre
Kai Town | River Road Park | Retreat Road Park

– April 2018: I started with this ‘project’ https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/imagine/
I created https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/, to collate my ideas/research for the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre, as part of my submission to the Christchurch City Council 2018 Long Term Plan.

– May 2018: Presented my verbal submission to the Christchurch City Council’s 2018 Long Term Plan, for the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre, to create a multi-cultural centre as a “Gateway to the East.”
Mayor Lianne Dalziel said “Are you saying that rather than just building back a community centre, that actually we should look at the whole of the area, and look at the whole of the needs.
So maybe what we need to be considering for the Long Term Plan is a budget that would enable a full needs analysis, and to look at what the different options are.”

– June 2018: I began to look around at our Richmond suburb, and my ideas/research became my “Rise Up Richmond” website http://riseuprichmond.nz/.

– July 2018: Regenerate Christchurch asked for feedback on their Red Zone Futures Exhibition: https://engage.regeneratechristchurch.nz/red-zone-futures-exhibition-online
Created http://riseuprichmond.nz/red-zones-future-ideas-map-by-joanna-gould/, for my Red Zone Futures ideas.
Created http://riseuprichmond.nz/otakaro-avon-river-corridor/, for my Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor feedback:

– August 2018: “Help develop the draft Arts Strategy for Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Have Your Say on the draft Christchurch City Council Arts Strategy 2018.”
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/art-museums/toi-otautahi-christchurch-arts.

The rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre (https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/) was my starting point, but through my research/community mapping, I realised that there was a need for more in our communities, more opportunities for everyone to find their space/place, and to create a new identity (after the earthquakes) for our communities through creative placemaking (http://riseuprichmond.nz/).

We need to “Get Creative” in our placemaking and storytelling of our unique Māori heritage and the Christchurch earthquakes, as we invite people from throughout NZ and all the world to come and see Creative Christchurch.

Joanna Gould | joanna@getcreativechristchurch.nz
Facebook Page | Get Creative Christchurch
Facebook Group | Get Creative Christchurch Group