Global church donates $250,000 to Christ Church Cathedral restoration

An international Christian church is donating $250,000 towards the restoration of Christchurch's Anglican cathedral.

The rebuild of the earthquake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral has been on hold since 2024 because of a $45 million funding shortfall.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the $250,000 donation reflected its commitment to strengthening communities and supporting initiatives that preserved places of cultural, historical and spiritual significance.

The church's Pacific area president Peter Meurs said the contribution was offered in a spirit of goodwill and unity.

"We recognise the deep significance of Christ Church Cathedral to the people of Christchurch and to many across New Zealand," he said.

"As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe in building strong communities and extending friendship across faiths. We are grateful for the opportunity to support the restoration of this important place of worship and heritage in the city of Christchurch."

Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd (CCRL) chairman Steve Wakefield said it was immensely grateful for the support.

"Across faiths, there is a shared understanding that spiritual places matter. They provide reflection, sanctuary and connection for communities. When Christ Church Cathedral reopens, it will welcome people of all faiths and none," he said.

CCRL said it was not the first time it had received interfaith support, with the New Zealand Buddhist community making a significant gift in 2023.

In May Christchurch City Council said it would contribute an extra $15 million to the cathedral's rebuild as long as the government and the Anglican Church did the same.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/596381/councillors-agree-to-an-extra-15m-for-christ-church-cathedral-rebuild

The council money depended on the Crown also contributing at least $15 million and the church showing it could complete the project, which was revised to $219 million after costs blew out to $248 million.

The government has previously said it would not contribute more money to the cathedral rebuild, although in March New Zealand First leader Winston Peters pledged to contribute an extra $15 million if his party was part of the next government.