LIVE: Council lockdown lifted

The Team from Christchurch City Council

Friday, 6.10pm

The lock-down has been lifted on all Council buildings and facilities, meaning people are now able to return to their homes. Public facilities, including pools and recreation centres, will be closed for the remainder of the night.

Sport and recreation centres will be open as usual tomorrow.

Please be aware that there may be some road closures and traffic delays because of the ongoing police operation. For more information on road closures check out the Transport for Christchurch Facebook page.

Friday, 5.05pm

Mayor Lianne Dalziel has spoken on the Council's Facebook page(external link) about the unfolding incidents in the city Here is a transcript of what she had to say:

I would never believe I would be standing in front of a camera and talking to the people of Christchurch about the shocking incident that has affected us all. We still have sketchy details about what has actually happened and I will certainly be trying to get messages out to people as soon as I have more information to give. The city remains in lock-down and it is important that if people are inside, they stay inside. Don’t venture out. This is still an active situation and Police are still doing everything they can to get the situation under control.

The schools are in lockdown – the children are at school and they are safe. We have all of our facilities in lock-down – we are not letting people in and we are not letting people out.

I think it is really important that people remain absolutely calm and feel free to talk to friends and family about the feelings that you will have. It’s natural. I could never believe that something like this would happen in the city of Christchurch, but actually I would never believe that this would happen in New Zealand. It looks as if simply the worst has happened. We need to pull together and get through this situation.

I do apologise to those who are deaf. I would have somebody who signs standing beside me but because of the lock-down I cannot get anyone into the building to support me. We will get a transcript of this up as soon as we possibly can.

Please send a message to any family or friends and pass it on that we are to keep ourselves safe under the circumstances and as soon as we know any different we will let you know what is going on. There is a lot of speculation happening right now and all we can do is trust the Police to do what they do best and to support them in the directions they have given us.

Thank you for your time. I’m really sorry to be saying this to you today.

Friday, 4.50pm



Bus services in Christchurch have been in lock-down but Environment Canterbury is about to resume services. However, some services may be affected by road closures.


UPDATE 3.35pm:
The current road closures are in place:

Blenheim Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
Moorhouse Ave CLOSED westbound from Montreal St
Riccarton Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
Deans Ave CLOSED south bound from Kilmarnock St
Linwood Ave is CLOSED between Aldwins Rd and Worcester St
Blenheim Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
Moorhouse Ave CLOSED westbound from Montreal St
Christchurch Southern Motorway CLOSED eastbound from SH73 / SH75 Curletts Rd interchange
SH76 Brougham St CLOSED westbound from Waltham Rd
Motorists are advised to avoid any unnecessary travel around the city at this time.

Friday, 3.30pm
Parents who are worried about children who may be at Council facilities can be assured that Council staff are looking after them. Please do not try and get to them while the police operation is still under way. You will be advised when it is safe for you to pick them up.

Friday, 3.20pm

Police road closures are in place on Brougham St between Strickland and Durham streets. Linwood Ave is partially closed.
Deans Ave is closed between Riccarton Rd and Moorhouse Ave.

Friday, 3.10pm

All Council-owned facilities across the city are now in full lock-down.

If your child was attending the climate change protest in Cathedral Square and you want to check if they are in the Civic Offices, please call the Council Contact Centre on 941-8999. Council staff will take your details and check if your child is in the building. Please do not try and come and collect your children until police say it is safe for people to come into the central city.

Friday, 2.50pm update

All Council buildings in the central city are now in complete lock-down, with no one allowed in or out. This lock-down will remain in place until further noticce.In response to a serious ongoing incident, all Council-owned facilities across the city are now in full lock-down.

Police road closures are in place on Brougham St between Strickland and Durham streets. Linwood Ave is partially closed. Deans Ave is closed between Riccarton Rd and Moorhouse Ave.

If your child was attending the climate change protest in Cathedral Square and you want to check if they are in the Civic Offices, please call the Council Contact Centre on 941-8999. Council staff will take your details and check if your child is in the building. Please do not try and come and collect your children until police say it is safe for people to come into the central city.

For more information head to Newsline. More information here