Christchurch builds 484 inner-city homes but gains just 50 residents

Bill Morris for Frank FilmNZ Herald·5 Aug, 2026 04:00 PM4 mins to readChristchurch City Councillor Nathaniel Hertz Jardine urges Airbnb controls for empty inner-city apartments. Photo / Frank Film“That’s not what a thriving inner city looks like.”

Christchurch City Councillor Nathaniel Hertz Jardine is standing in the residential heart of a rebuilt Christchurch. During the earthquake recovery phase, this, it was promised, would be a place for people – the “most liveable city in New Zealand”. The problem

Christchurch builds 484 inner-city homes but gains just 50 residents

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