43-596: Christchurch Adventure Park is an adventure park in the Port Hills of Christchurch , New Zealand. Built by the Canadian company Select Evolution, it had its opening function on 16 December 2016. The 1500 holders of special passes could ride from 17 December, while the park opened to the public on 21 December. According to the developer, the 358 hectares (880 acres) park with a 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) chairlift and initially 50 kilometres (31 mi) of downhill tracks
86-453: A 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) chairlift that gains 435 metres (1,427 ft) height, and has a capacity of 1,200 riders and their bikes per hour. There are four sections of zip-line in the park, with two of them 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) in length. When the park opened, the chairlift gave access to 50 kilometres (31 mi) of downhill tracks of different levels of difficulty, and the restaurant can seat 180 people. The developer claims that
129-421: A high speed after construction started. Christchurch City Council later also granted NZ$ 2m in support of the investment. Just over half of the park's funding came from overseas sources. The land is owned by McVicar Holdings and is leased to Select Evolution on a 50-year term. There were 180 staff involved in building the park, and the park initially employs 100 staff. Initially, seven staff are on secondment from
172-651: A population of 72 at the 2018 New Zealand census , a decrease of 18 people (−20.0%) since the 2013 census , and a decrease of 12 people (−14.3%) since the 2006 census . There were 30 households, comprising 39 males and 33 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.18 males per female. The median age was 47.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 15 people (20.8%) aged under 15 years, 9 (12.5%) aged 15 to 29, 45 (62.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 6 (8.3%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 95.8% European/ Pākehā , 8.3% Asian , and 4.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
215-410: A quick fix". Much of the damage is worse than initially thought, and the lift's 36-tonne haul rope will have to be replaced. Many of the trees will have to be felled, and fire breaks cut by the firefighters have also caused much damage. The operator has laid off 30 staff, many of whom were on fixed-term contracts. The park was closed for ten months. Extensive work was required to replace the haul rope on
258-595: Is near the eastern end of the Port Hills, normally connects Sumner and Lyttelton but was closed since the 2011 Christchurch earthquake caused significant damage to Sumner Road on the Lyttelton side of the pass until reopening in 2019. Between Evans Pass and Dyers Pass are several significant summits, including Sugarloaf (494 m), recognisable by the television transmission tower on its summit; Mount Cavendish (448 m); and Tauhinukorokio / Mount Pleasant (499 m),
301-536: Is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch , New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council . The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system . The current mayor, Phil Mauger , was elected in the 2022 mayoral election . The current deputy mayor is Pauline Cotter. Christchurch was initially governed by the chairman of the town council. In 1868,
344-512: Is the largest facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere . The park closed on 13 February 2017 as a precaution due to a nearby fire and two days later, most of the park's tree cover had been destroyed in a large wildfire. The lift and ziplines have suffered significant damage, and the park's condition was much worse than the operator initially thought. The park reopened on 6 December 2017, ten months after it shut. The idea for
387-608: The Christchurch Adventure Park after it could no longer continue to meet debt repayments and day-to-day operating costs in May 2019. Four new intermediate bike tracks below Dyers Pass Road were opened in September 2019. A Port Hills fire that started on Monday, 13 February 2017 on nearby Marleys Hill had by the following morning crossed the boundary of the Christchurch Adventure Park. It was one of two fires on
430-550: The Covid-19 lockdown and reopened halfway through May 2020. The park then reviewed its pricing with reductions in annual passes and introduced no charges for under ten year olds. By December 2020, the park had built 33 different mountain bike trails. 100,000 riders visited the park in 2020. In February 2021, the park was described as one of the top 10 new facilities built since the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Following
473-550: The Port Hills fires video evidence emerged of the Christchurch Adventure Park chair lift appearing to start spot fires below the chair lift line. The Adventure Park had kept the chair lift running throughout the fires and the chairs appeared to catch fire and subsequently start new fires as the chairs returned to the bottom of the Park. Following the release of the Fire Service Operational Review which noted
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#1732793595567516-435: The Port Hills, which were being fought by many helicopters with monsoon buckets and fixed wing planes. One of those helicopters crashed on 14 February at Sugarloaf , killing its pilot. During Wednesday, the fire had burned down the hill within the Christchurch Adventure Park, and four to six fire service crews moved in at 2100h to try and save the park's village and base station for the chairlift. On Thursday morning, information
559-1107: The Port Hills. Native birds such as the bellbird ( korimako or koparara ) fantail , silvereye , grey warbler and shining cuckoo are commonly found in the remaining bush. While the wood pigeon often seen in the area is a native to New Zealand others, such as the common blackbird , common chaffinch and song thrush are introduced and very populous species. As well as a great many insect species, gecko and skink are commonly found. Indigenous plant species such as Banks Peninsula hebe inhabit rock crevices along with rare ferns . The more exposed hillsides are covered with silver tussock and other native grasses , unusually so for an area so close to urban development. The remaining podocarp forest contains 500- to 600-year-old mataī , tōtara and kahikatea trees as well as fruit and flowering species such as kōwhai , ribbonwood , māhoe , cabbage trees , kānuka and fuchsia . 43°35′24″S 172°41′24″E / 43.59000°S 172.69000°E / -43.59000; 172.69000 Mayor of Christchurch The Mayor of Christchurch
602-651: The Whistler park as they have experience with running a mountain bike park. Much of the balance of the rural land in Cashmere Valley is owned by either the McVicar family, or by Christ's College – one of the local Christchurch schools. The park is set on 358 hectares (880 acres) and is located in the suburb of Cashmere , surrounded by Dyers Pass Road, the Summit Road, and Worsleys Road . The park features
645-406: The central Canterbury landscape, being visible for many kilometres from the north and west. The crest of the Port Hills varies somewhat in height, being lowest at the eastern (seaward) end. Two road passes traverse the Port Hills from Christchurch. Dyers Pass (elevation c. 330 m), almost due south of central Christchurch is the more prominent of the two passes. Evans Pass (elevation c. 200 m), which
688-507: The chair lift did spread the fire into residential properties, insurer IAG filed a lawsuit against the Adventure Park to recover the costs of damages caused to policy holders due to the chair lift fires. In April 2021, the Christchurch Adventure Park was found negligent and ordered by the high court to pay $ 12 million to the homeowners whose properties were destroyed and damaged in the Port Hills fires in 2017. In May 2021, this judgement
731-662: The chairlift and three of the zip lines. The park was reopened in December 2017 with only three mountain bike trails open. The park faced wide-spread public backlash after substantially raising their prices in 2018. The Christchurch City Council spent $ 4.9 million to bail out the Christchurch Adventure Park after it could no longer continue to meet debt repayments and day-to-day operating costs in May 2019. Four new intermediate bike tracks below Dyers Pass Road were opened in September 2019. The park had to again close in March 2020 due to
774-471: The chairman became the city council's first mayor as determined by his fellow city councillors. Since 1875, the mayor is elected by eligible voters and, after an uncontested election, the first election was held in the following year. Christchurch became a city by Royal charter on 31 July 1856; the first in New Zealand. Since 1862, chairmen were in charge of local government. Five chairmen presided in
817-609: The consenting authority, with only 35 of those in opposition. The hearings were held in November 2014, and consent was granted in January 2015. None of the opponents made use of their option to appeal the decision to the Environment Court . The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) gave approval in March 2016, after which construction work began. The office's decision was not publicly released until May 2016, though. Parts for
860-404: The end of the year, and the role was usually awarded to the most senior councillor. Most elections were unanimous, and the newly elected mayor was instantly regarded as the head of the council. The system changed with the introduction of The Municipal Corporations Acts Amendment Act, 1875, as that legislation stipulated that mayors had to be elected at large (i.e. by eligible voters). Fred Hobbs ,
903-412: The highest peak in the northern arc of the Port Hills. West of Dyers Pass, the Port Hills curve away southward and become even higher, rising to 573 m at Coopers Knob . From Coopers Knob the crater rim descends to Gebbies Pass (elevation c. 160 m). The hills south and east of Gebbies Pass are regarded as part of Banks Peninsula proper rather than the Port Hills. Several suburbs of Christchurch extend onto
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#1732793595567946-448: The incumbent, was the only candidate nominated, so he was declared elected unopposed on 17 December 1875. James Gapes was the first mayor elected at large on 20 December 1876 . The newly elected person was from that point the mayor-elect, until he was sworn in; Gapes was sworn in on 2 January 1877. Despite this, Taylor's death in 1911 resulted in councillors electing their fellow councillor John Joseph Dougall as mayor as required by
989-513: The initial years: The town council held a meeting on 10 June 1868 to elect its first mayor. In those days, councillors were elected for three-year terms, and once a year elected one of their group as mayor, i.e. the position was not elected at large (by the voting public) as is the case today. The following councillors attended the 10 June meeting: William Wilson , James Purvis Jameson , T. Tombs, George Ruddenklau , Henry Thomson , W. A. Sheppard, William Calvert and John Anderson , who chaired
1032-659: The legislation for such cases. Mayors were initially appointed and then elected for one year; elections started following the Municipal Corporations Act of 1876. This was changed to biennial elections "on the last Wednesday in April" with the Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1913. The act came into force in March 1915 and thus first applied at the April 1915 mayoral election. The Municipal Corporations Act, 1933 changed
1075-658: The mayoral term to three years, and this commenced with the 1935 mayoral election. Five mayors have held non-consecutive terms: Four former mayors are alive: The position of deputy mayor was established in 1917. In the first meeting of the newly elected council on 7 May 1917, Alfred Williams was the first city councillor to be elected to the position. Five deputy-mayors were later elected as mayors: John Beanland , James Flesher , Dan Sullivan , Ernest Andrews , and George Manning . Four deputy-mayors were mayors before they served as deputies: Henry Thacker , John Archer , Robert Macfarlane , and Vicki Buck . Since October 2022,
1118-459: The meeting. Thomson moved that Wilson be elected as the first mayor of Christchurch, and Tombs seconded the motion. The chairman put the motion to the meeting and it was carried unanimously. With the meeting, the council had brought itself under the Municipal Corporations Act 1867. Hence, the last chairman (William Wilson) became the first mayor in 1868. The first chairman (John Hall) became mayor 44 years later in 1906. There have been 46 holders of
1161-469: The mountain bike park was pitched to Select Evolution, a resort consulting company based in the Canadian ski resort Whistler , in 2011. Fiona Sutton, the founder of Select Evolution and the company's president, spent almost four years in Christchurch to make the development happen. Select Evolution applied for resource consent in 2014, and 640 submissions were received by Christchurch City Council as
1204-399: The northern side of Lyttelton Harbour , and continue running to the south, dividing the city from the harbour. The range terminates near Gebbies Pass above the head of the harbour. The range includes a number of summits between 300 and 500 metres above sea level. The range is of significant geological, environmental and scenic importance. The volcano is one of two from which Banks Peninsula
1247-484: The northern slopes of the Port Hills, including Cashmere , Mt Pleasant , Heathcote Valley and Sumner. Other parts of the hills are used for farming and forestry, as well as a significant number of scenic reserves created for recreational and conservation purposes, following an initiative by Christchurch councillor Harry Ell at the turn of the 20th century. In 1948 the Summit Road Scenic Society
1290-585: The park is the largest facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. A mountain coaster was due to open by December 2017, and accommodation with 110 beds was originally scheduled for the end of 2018. Eventually, Select Evolution intends to have 220 beds as accommodation. In October 2016, 1500 passes were put up for sale, giving exclusive access to the park when it first opened and valid until September 2017. The NZ$ 759 passes sold out within three days. The price for annual passes, set at NZ$ 1199,
1333-537: The park's chairlift and much of the bike rental fleet were stuck in Wellington after the port was damaged in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake , but this did not cause a delay to the planned opening. It cost NZ$ 20m to build the park, and the Government made a NZ$ 2m grant available in May 2014. This grant was given on the condition that the park was to be open by December 2016, which forced the developer to proceed at
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1376-469: The plains on the other side. Today the Lyttelton road tunnel and a separate rail tunnel connect the port and the city suburbs, and three road routes crossing the range – via Evans, Dyers and Gebbies passes – are connected by the Summit Road. In February 2017, bush fires in the Port Hills burned for days, destroying over 2000 Ha of bush and several homes. The Port Hills are a prominent feature of
1419-401: The position. The longest-serving was Sir Hamish Hay , who held the post for 15 years (5 terms). The shortest mayoralty was by Tommy Taylor in 1911, who died three months after being elected. Wilson's term, at just over six months, was the second shortest. Vicki Buck and Lianne Dalziel, have been the only female mayors so far. Initially, councillors elected one of their own as mayor towards
1462-436: The remedial work was not going to be a quick process, as there is extensive damage to trees, their root system, and damage to the chairlift and zip-lines. Before a reopening date could be set, the operator would have to work with the land owner and their insurance company. Due to risk of rock and tree fall on much of the sloped land, the operator has not been able to assess the damage fully, but announced that "it's not going to be
1505-427: Was $ 50,300, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 18 people (31.6%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 30 (52.6%) people were employed full-time, 9 (15.8%) were part-time, and 3 (5.3%) were unemployed. Despite the heavy deforestation and clearance of native bush that took place during early settlement, a diverse range of wildlife and plant life populates
1548-407: Was 20.8, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.3% had no religion, 20.8% were Christian , 4.2% were Hindu , 4.2% were Buddhist and 8.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (42.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 3 (5.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
1591-545: Was appealed by the insurers of the Christchurch Adventure Park. Port Hills The Port Hills ( Māori : Ngā Kohatu Whakarakaraka o Tamatea Pōkai Whenua ) are a range of hills in Canterbury Region of New Zealand, so named because they lie between the city of Christchurch and its port at Lyttelton . They are an eroded remnant of the Lyttelton volcano , which erupted millions of years ago. The hills start at Godley Head, run approximately east–west along
1634-491: Was formed to continue development and maintenance of the reserves. The hills are an important recreation area for Christchurch residents, with several public parks and reserves, including tracks for mountain biking and walking. A gondola lift to the top of Mount Cavendish was opened in 1992, providing convenient access to the summit and a major tourist attraction for the Canterbury area. The Christchurch Adventure Park
1677-400: Was given that the buildings and the lift had survived the fire. Vicki Anderson, a journalist with the Christchurch newspaper, The Press , put the situation into context with regards to the city's recovery after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake : Any damage to the Adventure Park and the beautiful trees that surround it is particularly galling. It's a fun-filled giant symbol that Christchurch
1720-400: Was moving forward – that, finally, something was happening in the rebuild. To be uncertain of its future so soon after celebrating its opening is disheartening. Seven years later on 14 February 2024, another wildfire was started near the park. The park was closed for safety reasons. The Rural Fire Authority handed the park back to the operator on 10 March 2017. The park operator clarified that
1763-618: Was not released until the day of the opening party. Passes for day entry (NZ$ 80) and single chairlift rides (NZ$ 25.00) are also available. Entry to the park itself is free, including riding the tracks, and what passes give access to is the chairlift. Access to the zip-line is available via separate scheduled tours. The park was opened by the Mayor of Christchurch , Lianne Dalziel , on 21 December 2016. The park faced wide-spread public backlash after substantially raising their prices in 2018. The Christchurch City Council spent $ 4.9 million to bail out
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1806-434: Was opened in 2016 which provides mountain biking opportunities on the slopes of Worsleys Hill. Road cycling is also very popular on the Port Hills with "short bays" and "long bays" being two of the most popular longer routes. The statistical area of Port Hills covers 44.46 km (17.17 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 70 as of June 2024, with a population density of 1.6 people per km . Port Hills had
1849-464: Was originally formed 12 million years ago. The area was first populated by Māori during the 14th century. During early European settlement some 500 years later the Port Hills presented a challenging barrier between the harbour and the planned settlement of Christchurch, their steepness and ruggedness making access extremely difficult. For many years the majority of settlers used the precipitous Bridle Path to transport themselves and their belongings to
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