← Back to Anniversary NEWS
Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb and Ilam MP Hamish Campbell
Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb and Ilam MP Hamish Campbell have shared their views on the Christchurch City Council’s initial decision not to support official celebrations for the city’s 175th anniversary, as well as the growing controversy surrounding Destiny Church’s charitable status.
Speaking to Chris Lynch Media, both MPs were cautious about the influence of unelected council staff after the council initially decided not to endorse the milestone, citing colonial concerns.
The move sparked public frustration and was later overturned by Mayor Phil Mauger, who pushed for the celebrations to go ahead.
Campbell backed the mayor’s intervention, saying it aligned with the wishes of Christchurch residents.
“It’s important we celebrate the 175th anniversary of Christchurch,” Campbell said. “The mayor made the right call—and that’s been echoed by what we’ve heard through the electorate office. People were concerned the anniversary wouldn’t be acknowledged.”
Webb agreed that marking the city’s founding was appropriate but said it should be done with acknowledgment of New Zealand’s colonial history.
“Not everyone was excited when settlers arrived, looked across the Canterbury Plains, and claimed land that wasn’t theirs,” Webb said. “It’s important to celebrate the founding of Christchurch, but we should also acknowledge the connection of the land to Ngāi Tahu and respect the tangata whenua.”
Webb defended the democratic process, saying the mayor’s intervention showed elected officials had the final say.
“This is an example of democracy working as it should,” he said. “Unelected officials took one view, but an elected representative—Mayor Mauger—listened to the people and took action.”
This is an abridged version of the full news article on Chris Lynch Media
Chris Lynch • Reporter Chris Lynch Media - Christchurch's Newsroom
©️ 2024 Chris Lynch Media Limited. All rights reserved.
This content is protected by copyright and is reproduced here with the permission of Chris Lynch Media.
It may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission.
For inquiries, contact chris@chrislynchmedia.com.
← Back to Anniversary NEWS
Great. If we can acknowledge the three tribes who worked along the Avon- and worked with the settlers who were here. I think it would be awesome to include some sort of conciliation- to bring the Māori tribes back to the central city in some way . It would be great to have a marae on the centre city- and some sort of Māori culture. Even to acknowledge little Hagley park where many Māori camped while they waited for their land allocation . There are many possibilities- just let’s celebrate the history from when the first four ships arrived, including those who made way for them
I would love to include a lot more information about what it was like for Māori at the time of the arrival of the Summer Ships. From what little I know, it would have been a lot more difficult for the European settlers without help from the local Māori.
If you or anyone else has any information about the time when the Pilgrims and First People came together, please let me know. We would love to be able to include this on the website.
I feel it’s important to commemorate the anniversary as all of us are descendants of the settlers .so we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them. My gg grandfather sent his oldest son at age 17 out on the Charlotte Jane With all the printing equipment to start up the lyttelton times .his name was John Ingram Shrimpton the son of Ingram and Jane Shrimpton. My name is Maree Dohmen(nee Shrimpton)
What three tribes. This is meant to be over celebration. Who we upsetting ???