Media Release – for immediate use
22 August 2018
Joint Media Release by Church Property Trustees, Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust and Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited
Signing of Cathedral Joint Venture Agreement marked
A key moment in the reinstatement of Christ Church Cathedral was celebrated today, with the signing of the Joint Venture Agreement.
The Church Property Trustees, Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust and the Directors of Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited (the Joint Venture Company) have today signed the document, which sets out the terms in relation to the implementation, delivery and completion of the reinstatement project.
At today’s signing at the Transitional Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited Chair Justin Murray noted the importance of the day for Christchurch.
“This agreement sets out how one of our city’s most important landmarks, Christ Church Cathedral, will be reinstated.”
Mr Murray acknowledged that it has taken some time to reach this point.
“We know the question on many people’s lips is why has it taken so long to get this agreement signed off? The answer is that the Joint Venture Agreement is a complex document numbering more than 50 pages.”
“The time needed to be taken to get it right. It was too important, to all of us involved, and the wider community, to rush and risk getting it wrong. That could have led to more delays in the future,” says Mr Murray.
“Today we also welcome three new Directors to the Joint Venture Company – Lindsay Crossen, Helen Trappitt and Anthony Leighs.
“We are all looking forward to working together with our reinstatement partners to ensure the Cathedral rises again.”
Church Property Trustees Deputy Chair Moka Ritchie says, “On behalf of the Anglican Diocese and Church Property Trustees we are thrilled that the agreement has been signed. It has taken longer to get to today than we expected, but this is because of the careful approach we have all taken to ensure we have the right foundation in place to manage and implement the reinstatement of the Cathedral.”
“The CPT board is very pleased that all three partners in the reinstatement project have reached an agreement on how the reinstatement will be progressed and that CPT will be able to report back positively to the September Synod on progress following their decision, to reinstate the Cathedral,” says Ms Ritchie.
“I want to acknowledge that we are here today because of the agreement negotiated by Bishop Victoria Matthews and the Crown last year that led to the vote at Synod to reinstate the Cathedral.
“While today is a tremendously important occasion for the future of the Christ Church Cathedral, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the important community work and social justice advocacy the Anglican community provides to the people in the city and beyond, people often living in extraordinarily bad circumstances.
“We look forward to having our Cathedral in the Square built for worship to the Glory of God and as a place of sanctuary and service in the centre of the city. Today’s signing means our city can progress its recovery and the Diocese’s vibrant mission and ministry can flourish and grow.”
Acting Chair of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust Jenny May says the Trust is delighted to be signing the agreement.
“Christ Church Cathedral is one of the most significant heritage buildings in New Zealand; it is tremendous to have this additional surety that it is going to be reinstated.
“I echo the sentiments that this is a day to be celebrated.”
“We have a long road ahead but our Trust is confident that all parties will work together to achieve our common goal of ensuring the Cathedral stands proudly once more in the heart of Cathedral Square,” says Jenny May.
ENDS
For media enquiries, email: media@reinstate.org.nz
Bios on the three new Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited directors are below.
Lindsay C Crossen
Lindsay Crossen comes from a civil engineering background and has extensive experience in leadership and governance roles. He has worked in design, Local Government infrastructure and contracting disciplines. Lindsay was CEO of Fulton Hogan (NZ) for eight years.
Lindsay is a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering NZ a Fellow of NZIM(South) and a Life Member of Civil Contractors NZ. He is currently Deputy Chair for Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd and over the past four years has had leadership roles in Enable’s Fibre Broadband construction and three University of Canterbury building projects. Previously, Lindsay has been a Director for the National Infrastructure Advisory Board, Port of Lyttelton, Harewood Golf Club, Roading NZ, and several engineering training companies.
Helen Trappitt
Helen Trappitt is a structural engineer, Director and shareholder at Lewis Bradford Consulting Engineers based in Christchurch. She is on the Industry Advisory Board for the University of Canterbury Civil and Natural Resources Engineering Department, from which she graduated with First Class Honours in 2000.
Helen specialises in the seismic strengthening of heritage buildings and has experience in this sector both before and after the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence. She is also well respected for her expertise in helping to resolve complex residential insurance claims.
Helen was awarded the Engineering New Zealand Canterbury Branch Award for Excellence in Service to the Community in 2018 for her pro bono work helping Gap Filler, CoCA, FESTA and SCAPE Public Art; and for her efforts in promoting engineering as a career at girls’ schools.
Anthony Leighs
Anthony is the Managing Director of Leighs Construction.
From its inception in 1995, Anthony has led Leighs Construction to become a highly successful and well-respected national commercial construction company.
Anthony is an experienced director and is a former chair of the NZ Registered Master Builders’ Association, and the Building Research Advisory Council. He is also a member of the New Zealand Government Building Advisory Panel and the Construction Strategy Group.
Anthony’s contributions to the construction industry have been recognised on many occasions – he was winner of the NZIOB Young Achiever in 2002, and joint winner of the NZIOB Supreme Award and Innovation Award in 2005. In 2015, he received the Special Commendation Award at the Champion Canterbury awards for his contribution to Canterbury.