14 Aug 2017

Anglican church considers gifting Chch's cathedral to NZ

5:27 pm on 14 August 2017

The Anglican church is considering gifting Christchurch's earthquake-damaged cathedral to the people of New Zealand.

Christchurch cathedral.

Christchurch cathedral. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

The building has stood derelict since the 2011 earthquakes.

The church wants to demolish it and build a new cathedral but heritage advocates want it restored to its former glory.

A government-sponsored report said it could be fixed at a cost of $104 million.

The church was going to put the two options to a meeting of clergy and other members at a meeting next month but the synod will now vote on a third option of gifting the cathedral to the government.

This would involve it becoming a public building, with the church being granted permission to use it at Easter and Christmas.

Bishop Victoria Matthews has previously said restoring the cathedral was unaffordable.

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