Kaiapoi night market gains council support

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Kaiapoi is set to have a weekend night market.

The Waimakariri District Council has approved a one-year licence with Market Investment Ltd, the company behind the Christchurch Night Market, to run a weekly night market in the Kaiapoi park and ride car park, next to New World.

Mayor Dan Gordon said the proposed night market was one of several exciting initiatives being developed in Kaiapoi, including a new music festival Kaiapoi Riversong held on Saturday (April 20).

‘‘The Kaiapoi Night Market will add another dimension to the fantastic dining and shopping experiences already on offer in the town.

‘‘There is such a vibrancy in Kaiapoi which has been contributed to by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Park operating in the regeneration land.

‘‘Having the night market will offer these visitors another great experience of the town.’’

Gordon said council staff have engaged with Kaiapoi hospitality and retail businesses and found no opposition to the night market proposal.

The Kaiapoi Night Market is subject to a resource consent, but is expected to start in the winter months.

While no date has been set for the market’s opening, it is expected to be held on either a Saturday or Sunday night.

The company anticipates a market with 50 stalls, including a mix of food and beverage providers and retail.

Council staff will review the market after six months to assess its impact on Kaiapoi’s existing hospitality businesses.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.