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Bit Of A Yarn

Is there merit in members sending this letter to the CJC regarding Constitution change?


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Posted

The only way to stop the sell off is to change the constitution of the Club or it will just continue and we will be stuck in a time warp. So here ya go, let us know how the vote goes?

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email]

24 February 2026

Tim Mills

Chief Executive

Canterbury Jockey Club Inc.

PO Box 11137, Sockburn

Christchurch 8443

RE: Notice of Remit to Amend the Constitution of the Canterbury Jockey Club Inc.

Dear Mr. Mills,

I am writing to formally submit a remit for consideration at the next General Meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club Inc.

As a member of the Club, I wish to propose an amendment to the Club’s Constitution to ensure greater transparency and member oversight regarding the disposal of Club assets.

Specifically, this remit proposes that any sale or long-term lease of Club land with a market value of $1,000,000 (one million dollars) or more must be subject to the approval of a majority of the Club's members.https://bitofayarn.com

Proposed Remit:

"That the Constitution of the Canterbury Jockey Club Inc. be amended to include a clause stating that no parcel of land owned or held by the Club shall be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of for a consideration exceeding $1,000,000 without first obtaining the support of a majority of members via a vote at an Annual or Special General Meeting."

Rationale:

The land held by the Canterbury Jockey Club is its most significant long-term asset. Decisions regarding the divestment of such substantial assets have a lasting impact on the Club’s future and its ability to support racing at Riccarton Park. Requiring majority member support for transactions of this scale ensures that the governance of the Club remains aligned with the collective interests of its membership.https://bitofayarn.com

Ngāi Tahu Property

I request that this remit be included in the notice of business for the upcoming meeting in accordance with the Club’s rules and the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, which requires all societies to update or maintain their constitutions by 5 April 2026.

Incorporated Societies

Incorporated Societies

I look forward to your confirmation of receipt and details regarding when this remit will be put to the members.https://bitofayarn.com

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Printed Name]

Member, Canterbury Jockey Club Inc.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

I may need to be corrected but I thought the land was under the control of the "CHRISTCHURCH RACECOURSE RESERVE TRUSTEES"

 

Below from when the land was sold after earthquakes and change in ACT by Parliament. 

 

Maybe your focus should be getting some "new blood' into the place !!!!

 

The partnership seeking to develop land at Riccarton Park Racecourse welcomes Government efforts to reduce red tape.

In an announcement earlier today, Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith said the government will introduce special legislation which will pave the way for the Joint Venture between the Trustees that govern Riccarton Park Racecourse and Ngāi Tahu Property to develop areas of land on the edge of the racecourse ready for around 600 new homes.

Minister Smith also confirmed first home buyers will have an opportunity to invest via the government’s KiwiSaver HomeStart initiative.

The Riccarton Park Racecourse land is currently bound by two Reserves Acts and requires zoning changes.

Ngāi Tahu Property Chief Executive Tony Sewell says getting the land ready for development would have otherwise been very slow going.

"As any developer in Christchurch knows, the margins we work within are unforgiving. Timing is critical when it comes to being able to deliver sections to market in the post-earthquake economic environment."

Christchurch Racecourse Reserve Trust Chairman Peter Cordner says the Riccarton Park Racecourse site will remain unaffected, as well as the 1,200 m chute and the training stables on the Yaldhurst Road boundary.

This project has been the result of countless hours of planning by both the Trustees and the Canterbury Jockey Club and I believe the very best interests of racing are at its heart.

"The ability to free up some land for development will generate capital and a regular income which will benefit racing, the Riccarton Park Racecourse, the Canterbury Jockey Club and the wider Canterbury economy."

Tony Sewell says he is encouraged by the pragmatic approach taken by all the parties involved.

"As well as bringing developed land to the Christchurch housing market, the timely progression of the Riccarton Park Racecourse development will bring benefits to multiple communities".

Background

Ngāi Tahu Property Limited is a specialist in property investment, development and rural land ownership. 

The company is a subsidiary of Ngāi Tahu Holdings – the investment company for the tribe.  Ngāi Tahu Property also manages the tribes Right of First Refusal. (As part of the settlement of the Ngāi Tahu Claim, Ngāi Tahu negotiated a Right of First Refusal on Crown land to be sold or made surplus within the Ngāi Tahu rohe (region/area), with a view to rebuilding the tribe’s economic base.)

Ngāi Tahu Property will purchase its share of the Riccarton Park Racecourse land in a 50:50 joint venture with Christchurch Racecourse Reserve Trust. On behalf of the Joint Venture, Ngāi Tahu Property will develop the land for residential use which will bring much needed land to the Christchurch housing market.

The Riccarton Park Racecourse is currently vested in The Trustees of the Christchurch Racecourse as a racecourse reserve under the Reserves Act 1977 (RA) and the Christchurch Racecourse Reserve Act 1878 (CRRA).

The Christchurch Racecourse Reserve Trustees are obligated under law to manage the Reserve in the best interests of racing. The Trustees lease most of the Reserve land to the Canterbury Jockey Club (CJC) for the purpose of the racecourse known as Riccarton Park Racecourse.

More than five years ago The Trustees and the CJC identified areas of the Reserve which had the potential to generate an income greater than the Trustees could otherwise achieve. The capital from the development would be retained and managed by the Trustees to provide an annual annuity to be made available to racing at Riccarton Park and the maintenance of the Reserve .

The land earmarked for development is approximately 38 hectares of more than 121 hectares next to Yaldhurst Road, in the Sockburn and Broomfield areas of North-West Christchurch.

The enactment of special legislation for The Trustees and CJC will mean the club can remain competitive with other clubs in New Zealand who have the ability to develop their freehold properties, unencumbered.

Posted

Latest appointment for Trustee

 

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE Appointment of a Trustee of the Riccarton Racecourse Recreation Reserve Under section 70(2) of the Reserves Act 1977, the undersigned, Department of Conservation appoints Rodger John Finlay, Director of Christchurch to be a trustee of the Riccarton Racecourse Recreation Reserve in the place of Gordon Hamish Fulton (resigned). Dated at Christchurch this 13th day of October 2025. Signed by ANDY THOMPSON, Operations Manager, Mahaanui/Sockburn District. (DOC R290220) 2025-go5842 15-10-2025 09:02

Posted (edited)

A few things stick out to me.

Depending on what clubs or committee members are selling off or developing their land surrounding the racecourse dictates the asthetics and value of the dwellings.  Ellerslie and Awapuni are vastly different to Riccarton, the latter being used for affordable housing.

The Trustees managing the capital providing regular revenue, I assume through investment.  Have any clubs built their own houses or commercial buildings as rentals, also a form of ongoing revenue?  I question whether committees make the right decisions for the future of their clubs.

As far as club constitutions are concerned, these come up for review on a regular basis usually discussed in detail at an SGM.  I don't know why this important process is brushed off as insignificant by many.  It's a bit late after the event trying to change what's been voted on.

Edited by Special Agent

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