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Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula Community Board is seeking expressions of interest for members of the Akaroa Design Review Panel and Lyttelton Design Review Panel for the 2025–2028 term.
The Design Review Panels play an important advisory role in shaping how Akaroa and Lyttelton grow and change. Their purpose is to provide advice that promotes good design and supports a high-quality urban environment, while clearly expressing the distinctive local character and identity of each town.
The Role of the Design Review Panels
The panels offer independent, expert advice on development proposals that may have a significant impact on the built environment. Their focus is on encouraging thoughtful, well-designed outcomes that respect heritage, landscape, scale and sense of place.
While the panels do not make formal decisions on applications, their advice helps guide better design outcomes and supports planning processes that align with community values.
Who Can Apply
The Community Board is seeking people with relevant skills, experience and local knowledge. The criteria for panel members are as follows:
- Design professionals with qualifications in architecture and/or urban design, and experience working in Akaroa or Lyttelton
- Community representatives with strong local knowledge and a demonstrated understanding of design and development
A balance of professional expertise and community insight is essential to ensure advice is practical, informed and grounded in local context.
Why It Matters
Akaroa and Lyttelton are places with rich histories and strong identities. As development pressures increase, having dedicated design review panels helps ensure new projects enhance, rather than erode, what makes these towns special.
The panels support better design, protect local character, and help ensure growth happens in a way that reflects community aspirations. Serving on a panel is a meaningful way to contribute to the long-term quality, liveability and identity of these unique harbour settlements.
Further Information
For more details, including a copy of the Terms of Reference, please contact Linda Burkes, Governance Advisor, at 941 8138 or linda.burkes@ccc.govt.nz.
To register your expression of interest, please submit a CV along with a short statement about why you would like to participate to Linda Burkes by Sunday 8 February 2026.
