Missing or damaged black fencing relating to Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC)
Allan Taunt made this Official Information request to New Zealand Transport Agency
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From: Allan Taunt
Kia ora New Zealand Transport Agency,
This Official Information Act (OIA) Request relates to the Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC) and may therefore require correspondence with Christchurch City Council.
As you are aware many sections of the black powder-coated protective fencing and handrails have been stolen or damaged:
https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/36069...
The scope of this OIA Request relates only to work carried out as part of the CNC project. I understand similar fencing was installed nearby under separate NZTA Waka Kotahi or Christchurch City Council projects. I will lodge separate OIA Requests for those with the relevant agency in future if they are also subject to significant damage or theft (e.g. locations such as the Hills Road pedestrian underpass).
For this OIA Request, could you please provide:
1. The design/plan documents showing where the black fence and handrails were originally installed.
2. On the design/plan documents, or as an easily interpretable description, list all locations where black fence sections or handrails have either been:
(a) Stolen.
(b) Damaged, but unrelated to theft (e.g., vandalism, fence remains but is compromised).
Please include missing curved handrail terminations in the list (e.g. locations such as the Grimseys Road pedestrian underpass).
If possible, please include the approximate date when each issue was first identified.
Please state if theft or damage has been repeated for the same sections of black fence.
3. List file numbers for all reports filed with New Zealand Police regarding missing or damaged black fence sections or handrails. Please also state whether each file is open or closed, whether anyone was identified, and what action was taken in relation to those identified.
4. On the design/plan documents, or as an easily interpretable description, list all locations where black fence sections or handrails have been repaired or replaced to a state that is "like for like". Please include:
(a) Approximate date when work was completed.
Please state if repairs or replacement have been repeated for the same section of black fence.
5. If any black fence sections have been "made safe" but have not been restored to a state that is "like for like", on the design/plan documents, or as an easily interpretable description, list all locations where this action has been undertaken. Please include:
(a) Approximate date when this work was completed.
(b) Photos of the completed work.
6. For black fence sections or handrails that are currently missing or damaged, what plans (including timeframes) do the responsible organisations have for replacing or repairing these to their original state?
7. Are any measures planned to deter theft or vandalism of the black fence sections or handrails? (e.g. use of an alternative product such as galvanised steel fence, or installation of security cameras)?
8. Is the safety of the shared path and associated items (e.g. bollards, lighting, black fences, signage, planting, etc.) periodically reviewed by the responsible organisation? If so, what is the schedule for this and when will the next review be undertaken?
9. Specific to the missing black fence near the red bridge where the shared path crosses Styx River, can you please provide:
(a) A date when it was first identified as missing.
(b) Dates of any staff or contractor visits to this location to examine any safety concerns related to the missing fence.
(c) Any correspondence discussing safety concerns associated with the missing fence (e.g. potential injury risks and possible outcomes).
(d) Any correspondence related to scheduling the replacement of missing fence (including any planned dates, reasons for delays, changes in prioritisation, etc.).
(e) If exists, the date to remedy the missing black fence in this location.
Ngā mihi nui
Allan Taunt
From: Official Correspondence
New Zealand Transport Agency
Kia ora Allan
This email acknowledges your below request for information made under the
Official Information Act 1982.
Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate section of NZ Transport
Agency Waka Kotahi for response. They will contact you if they require
clarification of your request, more time to respond, or if your request
has been transferred to another organisation to respond to. Unless more
time is required, NZ Transport Agency will send a response to you within
20 working days of receiving your request – in this instance on or before
2 March 2026.
If you would like to discuss your request with NZ Transport Agency, please
contact us by email at [1][NZTA request email].
Ngâ mihi
Ministerial Services
Te Waka Kôtuia | Engagement & Partnerships
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
[2]Connect with us on Social Media
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From: Official Correspondence
New Zealand Transport Agency
Kia ora Allan
Transferring the request you made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email below requesting information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act).
The information you have requested is more closely connected with the
functions of Christchurch City Council than with NZ Transport Agency Waka
Kotahi. Therefore, NZ Transport Agency is transferring your request to
Christchurch City Council under section 14 of the Act.
The time limit for their response to you is 20 working days from 19
February 2026 so you can expect a response from Christchurch City Council
on or before 19 March 2026.
Ngā mihi
Ministerial Services
Te Waka Kōtuia | Engagement & Partnerships
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
[1]Connect with us on Social Media
[2][IMG]
From: Official Correspondence
Sent: Monday, 2 February 2026 10:00 am
To: 'Allan Taunt' <[FOI #33622 email]>
Subject: OIA-20956 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Kia ora Allan
This email acknowledges your below request for information made under the
Official Information Act 1982.
Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate section of NZ Transport
Agency Waka Kotahi for response. They will contact you if they require
clarification of your request, more time to respond, or if your request
has been transferred to another organisation to respond to. Unless more
time is required, NZ Transport Agency will send a response to you within
20 working days of receiving your request – in this instance on or before
2 March 2026.
If you would like to discuss your request with NZ Transport Agency, please
contact us by email at [3][NZTA request email].
Ngā mihi
Ministerial Services
Te Waka Kōtuia | Engagement & Partnerships
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
[4]Connect with us on Social Media
[5][IMG]
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From: Official Information
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Tēnā koe Allan,
On 19 February 2026, we received transfer of your request for information
related to missing fencing along the Christchurch Northern Corridor under
the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).
Release of information
1. The design/plan documents showing where the black fence and handrails
were originally installed.
Please follow this link to view the as-built plans from Waka Kotahi New
Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA):
[1]https://christchurchcitycouncil.sharefil...
Please note this link will expire after 14 calendar days. We recommend you
download all information you wish to keep, otherwise it will drop off the
system.
2. On the design/plan documents, or as an easily interpretable
description, list all locations where black fence sections or
handrails have either been:
(a) Stolen.
(b) Damaged, but unrelated to theft (e.g., vandalism, fence remains but
is compromised).
Please include missing curved handrail terminations in the list (e.g.
locations such as the Grimseys Road pedestrian underpass).
If possible, please include the approximate date when each issue was first
identified.
Please state if theft or damage has been repeated for the same sections of
black fence.
Please find attached a PDF showing the marked-up areas where fencing is
recorded as missing. These were completed in March 2025, and work is
programmed to update them based on feedback from residents and our
contractors.
The primary reason for missing fence panels has been theft. Some panels
have also been removed as they were damaged during the theft of adjacent
panels. In addition, there is damage to controlled accessways to enable
larger vehicle access for the removal/theft of the panels.
3. List file numbers for all reports filed with New Zealand Police
regarding missing or damaged black fence sections or handrails. Please
also state whether each file is open or closed, whether anyone was
identified, and what action was taken in relation to those identified.
A police report has been filed, and investigations are underway. The
police file number is 250505/2329. Please note that the investigation
remains open and we are unable to provide any further information relating
to this under section 6(c) of the LGOIMA, the making available of the
information may likely prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the
prevention, investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a
fair trial.
Any questions regarding this police file should be directed to the New
Zealand Police.
4. On the design/plan documents, or as an easily interpretable
description, list all locations where black fence sections or
handrails have been repaired or replaced to a state that is "like for
like". Please include: (a) Approximate date when work was completed.
No replacement fencing has been installed or repaired. Please state if
repairs or replacement have been repeated for the same section of
black fence.
No replacement fencing has been installed or repaired.
5. If any black fence sections have been "made safe" but have not been
restored to a state that is "like for like", on the design/plan
documents, or as an easily interpretable description, list all
locations where this action has been undertaken. Please include:
a. Approximate date when this work was completed.
b. Photos of the completed work.
No replacement fencing has been installed or repaired.
6. For black fence sections or handrails that are currently missing or
damaged, what plans (including timeframes) do the responsible
organisations have for replacing or repairing these to their original
state?
Council continues to review options for re-instatement of fencing or
alternative products. There are no timeframes for replacement until
suitable products ( less attractive to theft ) and funding budgets are
resolved.
7. Are any measures planned to deter theft or vandalism of the black
fence sections or handrails? (e.g. use of an alternative product such
as galvanised steel fence, or installation of security cameras)?
Council have considered several solutions as re-installing the current
style of fencing will likely lead to it being stolen again. Council
continues to review options including the use of greenspace assets and
hardscaping as an alternative. All fencing options are prone to some level
of vandalism and theft. The style of aluminium ‘pool’ fencing installed
appears particularly attractive. Council has a security camera contract,
but this is limited to a very small number of sites and is used for fly
tipping activities.
8. Is the safety of the shared path and associated items (e.g. bollards,
lighting, black fences, signage, planting, etc.) periodically reviewed
by the responsible organisation? If so, what is the schedule for this
and when will the next review be undertaken?
Our contractors attend to the areas for mowing and planting and feedback
to staff on missing or damaged assets. These are also reported via
residents using snap, send, solve or through the Council Customer Contact
Centre.
9. Specific to the missing black fence near the red bridge where the
shared path crosses Styx River, can you please provide: -
a. A date when it was first identified as missing.
The first Customer Service Request was reported to NZTA on 20/1/24.
b. Dates of any staff or contractor visits to this location to examine
any safety concerns related to the missing fence.
Council staff and contractors reviewed on 25/3/25 and again on 22/7/25 to
assess safety concerns related to missing fence panels.
c. Any correspondence discussing safety concerns associated with the
missing fence (e.g. potential injury risks and possible outcomes).
No correspondence discussing safety concerns identified. Tickets may also
have been lodged with NZTA.
d. Any correspondence related to scheduling the replacement of missing
fence (including any planned dates, reasons for delays, changes in
prioritisation, etc.).
No correspondence related to scheduling the replacement of missing panels
identified.
e. If exists, the date to remedy the missing black fence in this
location.
As above. No replacement fencing has been installed or repaired.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review our
decision. Complaints can be sent by email to
[2][email address].
Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests
Please note: our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Christchurch
City Council website a week after they have been responded to, with
requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about
this, please contact the Official Information team on
[3][email address].
Nāku noa iti, nā
Jess Griffin
Official Information Advisor
Te Ratonga Ture me te Manapori - Legal & Democratic Services
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