More than 3,700 of you gave us feedback about the Central City in 2025, here is a summary of what you told us.

Survey feedback will help inform decision-making and ensure the central city is a place Christchurch residents can be proud of. 

A summary of the results from the survey can be found in the Life in Christchurch Central City 2025 summary report [PDF, 824 KB].

2025 results

Vibrant Central City

When asked to describe the Central City in one word, the most used words describe its vibrancy or progress.

Almost two thirds (61-64%) are satisfied with the look and feel of:

  • The streetscape and public artworks in the central city,
  • New buildings in the central city, and
  • The landscaping and tree planting in the central city.

A similar proportion (62%) also agree that the Central City has attractive and inviting open and green spaces.

59% agree they feel a sense of pride in the Central City. This has increased from 47% in 2022.

Visiting the Central City

There has been an increase in the number of respondents who had visited the central city for non-work or education purposes in the 7 days prior to completing the survey (51% in 2025 vs 45% in 2022).

Almost two-thirds (65%) agree that the Central City provides a range of things to do for all people, and, a range of spaces and places where communities can gather, socialise, celebrate and hold events.

Three quarters or more (76% - 88%) agree that the Central City offers:

  • Access to a range of restaurants and bars
  • A range of cafes
  • A range of entertainment opportunities such as live music, theatre, movie cinemas and events
  • Access to parks, open spaces and other outdoor recreation opportunities.

Living in the Central City

21% are open to moving to the Central City within the next 10 years; 55% would not consider moving to the Central City under any circumstances. The main three reasons include:

  • The types of housing in the central city do not meet my needs (66%)
  • There is not enough parking (both on street and off street) (61%)
  • Lifestyle factors (e.g. enjoy living near the beach or the hills) (52%)

In addition, more respondents disagree than agree that the Central City provides a range of housing options that that are well -designed and/or affordable.

  1. The central city provides a range of housing options (33% agree, 36% disagree)
  2. The central city provides well designed housing options (23% agree, 35% disagree)
  3. The central city provides affordable housing options (15% agree, 44% disagree)

Safety in the Central City

Respondents report feeling safe in the central city during the day (82%).

However, safety after dark is an increasing concern where 49% reported feeling unsafe after dark in 2025, up from 46% in 2022, 44% in 2021, and ‘only’ 32% in 2020.

The main reason four for feeling unsafe in the central city include:

  • Anti-social behaviour (e.g. Aggressive, intimidating people)
  • People under the influence of drugs and alcohol
  • Begging
  • Homeless people

Priorities for the Central City

Residents’ top 5 overarching priorities for improving the central city over the next 10-15 year period include:

  1. Easy and affordable accessibility to the central city regardless of what travel mode residents want to use.
  2. A focus on rebuilding, repairing and revitalising still damaged or vacant areas: e.g. the Cathedral.
  3. Making the Central City safer and keeping it clean. 
  4. Preserving, enhancing and increasing green spaces.
  5. Enabling more vibrancy though the arts, culture, heritage, events and entertainment.

Vibrant Central City

When asked to describe the Central City in one word, the most used words describe its vibrancy or progress.

Almost two thirds (61-64%) are satisfied with the look and feel of:

  • The streetscape and public artworks in the central city,
  • New buildings in the central city, and
  • The landscaping and tree planting in the central city.

A similar proportion (62%) also agree that the Central City has attractive and inviting open and green spaces.

59% agree they feel a sense of pride in the Central City. This has increased from 47% in 2022.

Visiting the Central City

There has been an increase in the number of respondents who had visited the central city for non-work or education purposes in the 7 days prior to completing the survey (51% in 2025 vs 45% in 2022).

Almost two-thirds (65%) agree that the Central City provides a range of things to do for all people, and, a range of spaces and places where communities can gather, socialise, celebrate and hold events.

Three quarters or more (76% - 88%) agree that the Central City offers:

  • Access to a range of restaurants and bars
  • A range of cafes
  • A range of entertainment opportunities such as live music, theatre, movie cinemas and events
  • Access to parks, open spaces and other outdoor recreation opportunities.

Living in the Central City

21% are open to moving to the Central City within the next 10 years; 55% would not consider moving to the Central City under any circumstances. The main three reasons include:

  • The types of housing in the central city do not meet my needs (66%)
  • There is not enough parking (both on street and off street) (61%)
  • Lifestyle factors (e.g. enjoy living near the beach or the hills) (52%)

In addition, more respondents disagree than agree that the Central City provides a range of housing options that that are well -designed and/or affordable.

  1. The central city provides a range of housing options (33% agree, 36% disagree)
  2. The central city provides well designed housing options (23% agree, 35% disagree)
  3. The central city provides affordable housing options (15% agree, 44% disagree)

Safety in the Central City

Respondents report feeling safe in the central city during the day (82%).

However, safety after dark is an increasing concern where 49% reported feeling unsafe after dark in 2025, up from 46% in 2022, 44% in 2021, and ‘only’ 32% in 2020.

The main reason four for feeling unsafe in the central city include:

  • Anti-social behaviour (e.g. Aggressive, intimidating people)
  • People under the influence of drugs and alcohol
  • Begging
  • Homeless people

Priorities for the Central City

Residents’ top 5 overarching priorities for improving the central city over the next 10-15 year period include:

  1. Easy and affordable accessibility to the central city regardless of what travel mode residents want to use.
  2. A focus on rebuilding, repairing and revitalising still damaged or vacant areas: e.g. the Cathedral.
  3. Making the Central City safer and keeping it clean. 
  4. Preserving, enhancing and increasing green spaces.
  5. Enabling more vibrancy though the arts, culture, heritage, events and entertainment.

 

Past results

The 2022 Life in Christchurch Central City survey was undertaken in March 2022. Over 3100 people responded to the survey.

Overall the results indicate that while overall residents are happy with the spaces and facilities the central city, there is still work to be done in regards to Central City housing, graffiti vandalism and feelings of safety after dark.

A summary of the results from the survey can be found in the Life in Christchurch Central City 2022 summary report. [PDF, 322 KB]

The 2021 Life in Christchurch Central City survey was undertaken in March 2021. Over 3100 people responded to the survey.

Overall the results were very positive, with many respondents acknowledging that the central city is improving with a range of things to do. Maintaining interest, enjoyment and vitality is an ongoing activity.

More information about the results can be found in the Life in Christchurch Central City 2021 report [PDF, 882 KB].

The 2020 Life in Christchurch Central City survey was undertaken in July 2020. Around 3000 people responded to the survey.

Overall the results were very positive, indicating that Christchurch residents think the central city has plenty of shopping and eating out opportunities, and many are optimistic about the future of the central city.

However, there is still some work to be done in regards to Central City housing, ease of travel in the Central City and safety at night.

More information about the results can be found in the Life in Christchurch Central City 2020 report [PDF, 432 KB].

The 2019 Life in Christchurch Central City survey was undertaken in January and February 2019 and received around 2900 responses. It sought feedback on various aspects relating to the central city.

The results indicate that Christchurch residents take pride in their central city and support the rebuild as it progresses. There have been positive improvements across the themes in the survey compared to previous years, as reflected by participants’ responses.

More information about the results can be found in the Life in Christchurch Central City 2019 report [PDF, 1.1 MB].

More than 3000 people responded to the central city survey in 2018. The results indicate that residents perceptions of the central city are starting to improve.

An increasing number of people are finding it easy to travel in the central city, and more respondents are enjoying spending time in the central city.

Perceptions are housing remains an issue, particularly concerning the range of affordable, well-designed housing in the central city, however this is likely to improve as developments are completed and become available. 

More than 2,700 people responded to the central city survey in 2017.

The majority of respondents reported that they had visited the central city in the past 12 months; more than half of all respondents had visited for non-work purposes.

While people reported feeling frustrated about transport issues, they were still visiting the central city.