26 Jun 2012

Crown Observer to end Christchurch role

2:00 pm on 26 June 2012

The Government has announced it will remove a Crown Observer from the Christchurch City Council, indicating elected members appear to have overcome their differences.

Local Government Minister David Carter appointed Kerry Marshall in January with the aim of rebuilding professional relationships between the mayor, councillors and staff.

His role was also to provide guidance on governance and decision-making and his contract ends on 1 July.

David Carter says the development of a charter will help the council rebuild public confidence without further Government-funded support.

He says effective governance has never, in the city's 160-year history, been so important.