The draft Plan replaces the 2013 Woodend/Pegasus Area Strategy, with a new working title that clearly reflects its scope.

Council’s Strategy and Centres Team Leader Heike Downie said strong early community input has helped shape the draft now being presented for feedback.

“More than 200 people responded to an initial community survey, sharing what they value and where they see challenges as Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood continue to grow,” she said.

“This feedback, along with discussions with key stakeholders in our advisory group, agencies and partners, has informed the development of a draft plan that will now go to the public to have their say.

“It’s an opportunity for people to tell us what they think – and whether we’ve missed anything.”

With the benefit of that early engagement, the draft Plan sets out a proposed direction for the future of the wider Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood urban area.

This part of the district continues to experience significant growth, with the population increasing from around 2,100 in the mid-1990s to more than 10,000 in 2025 and set to grow further. Recent District Plan changes have enabled additional residential and business land, while major infrastructure such as the Woodend Bypass will shape how people move through and connect within the area in the future.

Waimakariri District Councillor Shona Powell said the process focused on getting the long term direction right.

“A lot of work went into early engagement, including a community survey, to make sure we’ve heard from a wide range of people,” she said.

“It’s been a very thorough and well considered process so far, and that’s important to ensure the future plan is fit for purpose not just for now, but well into the future.”

What the draft Plan covers

The draft Plan focuses on the urban areas of Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood, and the land between them. While it recognises a wider catchment for things like retail, recreation and community connections, the Plan itself is limited to these urban areas.

Coastal settlements, rural communities and related issues are not included in this Plan and are being addressed through separate work programmes.

Some topics are also excluded where there is existing or ongoing work, or where there is still uncertainty. These include natural hazards and coastal issues, Tūhaitara Coastal Park, Pegasus Lake water quality, future rezoning, District Plan appeals, development within Māori Reserve 873 (Tuahiwi), the future of the Pegasus Golf Course, and the alignment, planning and timing of the Woodend Bypass.

Have your say

The community is now invited to review the draft Plan and provide feedback.

You can have your say until: 4 October 2026 by:

Collecting a consultation document from any Council service centre or Waimakariri District Library, or

• Visiting letstalk.waimakariri.govt.nz to view the draft Plan and complete the survey online.

You can come and chat with the project team about the Draft North East Waimakariri Urban Plan. Whether you have questions, ideas, want to learn more or drop off a completed feedback form, we’d love to see you at one of our local drop-in sessions.

These are being held at the Woodend Rugby Club at Gladstone Park:

• Thursday 17 September, between 5.30pm and 7pm
• Thursday 24 September, between 6pm and 7.30pm

Feedback will help shape the final Plan, which is expected to be presented to Council for adoption in early 2027.