Waimakariri's growth set to continue, but challenge over where people will live
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Waimakariri’s growth is set to continue for years to come, but predicting where people will choose to live is creating some challenges.
With the Greater Christchurch area expected to need 77,000 more houses over the next 30 years, the Waimakariri district’s population is likely to top 100,000 by 2053.
The present population in the Waimakariri district is about 70,000.
Waimakariri District Council development planning manager Matt Bacon sad it was difficult to predict how many people will move to the district and where they will choose to live.
“We have gone away from specific numbers and locations and now we’re looking at different scenarios.
“We do housing numbers almost on an annual basis.”
The Woodend/Pegasus area was the fastest growing area for the district – expected to top 10,000 by 2053 – and the wider Waikuku, Pegasus, Woodend and Pegasus Bay area was expected to reach 12,500 people by 2033 and 15,000 people by 2043.
Where to house the extra people was a challenge as councils wanted to avoid an ever expanding urban sprawl and taking up quality farmland, while drainage was an issue in some areas.
Strategy, engagement and economic development general manager Simon Hart said staff were thinking about “where the numbers will go when they hit Waimakariri”.
The Ravenswood subdivision was already up to stage five of the planned six stage development, while other subdivisions were filling up fast.
The recently opened up Bellgrove subdivision in Rangiora ensures there was no shortage – for now, Bacon said.
The council was required, under the National Policy Statement for Urban Development, to plan ahead of demand to ensure there was plenty of supply.
But even when planning was put in place, Bacon said there was always a lag between approval and a new subdivision being divided up.
Future development could be urban infill, while the passing of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing and Other Matters) Amendment Act in December 2021 made it possible to subdivide sections for up to three housing units and building up to three storeys in the main urban areas.
“The market for intensification will be limited, so there is a big difference between what the plan enables and what actually happens,” Bacon said.
He said Townsend Fields (Rangiora) was offering average sized lots of about 600 to 700m², even though smaller lot sizes were allowed.
“They will offer what they believe the market is telling them,” Hart added.
“So we need to be conscious of what is attracting people to Waimakariri, is it high density housing or larger sections?”
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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