How to Report a Pothole in Christchurch — 2026 Guide
- PotholeExpert
- May 9
- 3 min read
Service status (May 2026): Rapidpatch is currently onboarding our approved-partner asphalt specialists across New Zealand outside Auckland. Auckland repairs run as normal — photo quote in 10 minutes, repair within 48 hours.
Outside Auckland: submit your photo and we'll respond within 5 business days — either with a quote and a confirmed local specialist, or with an ETA for when an approved partner is onboarded in your region. Urgent jobs: call 027 737 2858.
If we can't deliver in time: we'll refer you to a vetted independent installer in your region, or send our quote and your photos back to you with no charge and no obligation, so you can take the job to any contractor of your choice. You're never locked in waiting on us.
Christchurch's roads are managed by Christchurch City Council on the urban network and by NZTA Waka Kotahi on state highways. Surrounding districts — Selwyn (Rolleston, Lincoln, Darfield) and Waimakariri (Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Oxford) — have their own reporting channels.
This is the 2026 reporting guide for the wider Christchurch / Canterbury region.
Christchurch City Council
Covers Christchurch city proper — central Christchurch, Riccarton, Merivale, Fendalton, Papanui, St Albans, Ilam, Bishopdale, Cashmere, Sumner, Sydenham, Hornby, Halswell, Linwood, Aranui, New Brighton.
Snap Send Solve app (preferred — auto GPS + photo)
Phone: 03 941 8999 (24/7)
Online: ccc.govt.nz/services/request
Response: 5-business-day target for moderate potholes; 24 hours for safety-critical
Selwyn District Council
Covers Rolleston, Lincoln, West Melton, Darfield, Leeston, Springfield, Castle Hill — fast-growing satellite communities.
Online: selwyn.govt.nz request a service
Phone: 03 347 2800
Snap Send Solve accepted
Waimakariri District Council
Covers Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Oxford, Cust, Pegasus, Mandeville.
Snap Send Solve preferred
Phone: 03 311 8900
Online: waimakariri.govt.nz
NZTA state highways in Canterbury
State highways through the Christchurch region include SH1 (north and south of the city, plus the Christchurch southern motorway), SH73 (West Coast road via Arthur's Pass), SH75 (Banks Peninsula / Akaroa road), SH74 (Christchurch port motorway).
Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444 449)
Online: nzta.govt.nz contact form
Why Snap Send Solve is the preferred channel
Christchurch City Council uses Snap Send Solve as its preferred channel because the app auto-attaches the GPS coordinates and photo, which means the council inspector knows exactly where to go. A FixIt-style web form requires the resident to type out the location, which leads to errors and delays.
If the pothole is on private property
Driveways, body-corp roads, school carparks, retirement villages, hospital forecourts, service station forecourts, supermarket carparks, and industrial yards in Christchurch are private. CCC will not repair these. Rapidpatch services Christchurch private-property potholes via the approved-partner network — same photo-quote workflow as our Auckland direct service.
Christchurch-specific pothole pressures
Post-earthquake pavement settlement is still affecting some streets in eastern Christchurch (Linwood, Aranui, New Brighton) — these have a higher pothole rate than other parts of the city
The 2023–2024 wet years left a backlog of pavement damage that CCC has been working through
Highway truck traffic from Lyttelton port and the SH1 freight corridor concentrates wear on specific intersections
Common questions
How quickly does Christchurch City Council fix reported potholes?
Safety-critical potholes usually inspected and made-safe within 24 hours. Moderate potholes target 5 business days from inspection. Routine: programmed maintenance, can be longer.
Should I use Snap Send Solve or call?
Use Snap Send Solve unless it's actively dangerous (large open hole at speed, near schools at end-of-day) — in which case call 03 941 8999 immediately.
Does Rapidpatch service Christchurch directly?
Christchurch is serviced via our approved-partner network. Same fixed-price photo-quote discipline, vetted local crews. Photo quote in 10 minutes during business hours, repair typically within 5–7 days.
Can I claim damage from Christchurch City Council?
Yes — CCC accepts road damage claims. Strongest claims have evidence of a prior pothole report at the same location that wasn't responded to within reasonable time.
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