A homeless community that’s spent years living in Christchurch’s red zone says it's running out of options.
With a deadline of February 28 looming to leave the land in the suburb of Bexley, residents are now appealing to the public for help to find somewhere they can stay together.
The Christchurch City Council wants to flood the quake-damaged land as part of a regeneration project.
Red zone resident Moko Reuben said the community of about 60 people had asked for another piece of land to use, but the council rejected their proposal.
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"This isn't just somewhere we sleep. It is where we found safety, stability and whānau, when the rest of the system couldn't actually support us."
A council spokesperson said public spaces are managed on behalf of the community and must do so in accordance with its legal obligations, including council bylaws governing parks and public places.
"Residential occupation of public land is not permitted, and residents have been advised they will need to relocate by February 2027."
The council said it has been working with campers for an extended period and will continue to support them as the relocation time frame approaches.
"The council is working alongside agencies including the Christchurch City Mission, Housing First and the Ministry of Social Development to help connect campers with available housing and support options," a spokesperson for the council said.
"Ultimately the decision to engage with support services and seek alternative accommodation rests with each individual."
Reuben said while social agencies have been providing support to the community, they’ve also been bringing people to the site as housing capacity in the city is limited.
"This is why we're appealing to everybody today, to the wider community, to landowners, to developers, to organisations and to the good world across our city; if you have land, facilities or know of any other suitable location, please come forward.
"Help us find a place where there's community that can stay together."
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