Christchurch could have its own currency if a city councillor's idea comes to fruition.
Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Raf Manji revealed the idea at a community meeting where he and Mayor Lianne Dalziel, discussed the city's finances this afternoon.
Mr Manji said the idea was only in planning stages but the currency would be linked back to rates.
He said people could work on community projects, for example, and get an offset on rates.
"So the fact that it's linked back to rates means that the currency has backing.
"Once it starts to circulate in the system, and people realise actually we can accept this as currency, it becomes a currency and circulates widely."
The idea grew from community currencies already in place in Lyttelton and Golden Bay, Mr Manji said.
A proposal on the idea is expected in about three months.
