Gap Filler

01/03/2026

Last week, we formalised the long-planned decision to wind up Gap Filler. We've had 15 fun-filled years of getting citizens actively involved in reimagining Ōtautahi Christchurch and bringing life to our city’s spaces.

We could write volumes about this 15-year journey, but thought we’d just enjoy memories of some of the good times.

Since our first little project in November 2010 in response to the Darfield earthquake, Gap Filler has been dedicated to igniting vibrant community spaces. What began as a response to disaster evolved into a powerful movement for creative urban renewal and civic engagement that rippled out far beyond Christchurch’s city limits.

From the Dance-O-Mat to Moodshift, the Pallet Pavilion to the Good Spot Car Park – each project has been a testament to the creativity, resilience, and collaborative spirit of the people of Christchurch. Together, we've shown that even in the face of devastation, communities can reimagine their surroundings and create spaces of joy, connection, and meaning.

Other favourite projects include:

Think Differently Book Exchange, which helped popularise so-called Lilliput Libraries;
The Cycle-Powered Cinema where the Cycle Trading Company’s building had been;
RAD Bikes, which began as a Gap Filler project and is now been an independent not-for-profit community bike workshop;
the cheeky Inconvenience Store artist residency project that occupied an empty shop in 2014;
a series of community pitch-for-the-pot Soup events that seed funded many other local community projects;
the Super Street Arcade giant joystick that occupied the corner of Tuam and High Streets;
and the Open City hacked parking meter that produced tickets directing people to locals’ favourite free things to do in the city.

We signed off with a final 8 Days of Play interactive event series as part of this year’s World Buskers Festival at the end of January, and it was a blast.

Huge thanks to the thousands of volunteers, community groups, collaborators, artists, supporters, funders, and other partners over the years. Way too many to name, but we hope to play with some of you again soon!

28/01/2026

8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival
Friday 30, 10am till 12pm.
Roving, Cashel Street.
The Joy Fools are all about the unexpected. They bring cheekiness, connection, play and a whole lot of fun wherever they go. Their Roving Runway is part DJ set, part mobile red carpet, part joyful chaos. One moment you are walking down the street, the next you are the star of your own pop up fashion moment.
They roam the festival looking for great vibes and great outfits, so whatever you are wearing, they will come to you. It is spontaneous, hilarious and guaranteed to lift the mood.

27/01/2026

8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival
Thursday 29, 10am till 12pm
110 Cashel Street, Buskers Pitch.
Culture Explore is a relaxed community event that brings people together to celebrate the diversity of Ōtautahi through food, stories and simple connection. The Rollickin pitch will be set up with picnic blankets, cushions and conversation starter cards from InCommon to make it easy for people to sit, chat and meet someone new.

Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi will have their red chair and Our Stories Project will have their recording booth on site, inviting anyone to take a seat and share a piece of their story. Cooks Collective will bring a selection of dishes to taste, offering flavours from Eritrea and a chance to explore the cultures that shape our city. Free tastings are first in, first served.

It is a low key, welcoming space that celebrates the many communities that call Ōtautahi home.

Brought to you by InCommon, Cooks Collective, Our Stories and Humans of Ōtautahi.

27/01/2026

8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival
Wednesday 28
Block Party 10am till 11am @ Scott Statue
Silent Disco Class 11:15am till 12pm @ 110 Cashel Street.
Jolt brings their Block Party to the streets. It is seriously addictive. Step onto a coloured dot and the dancers burst into action. Shift to another dot and the whole flow of movement changes. You become part of the choreography, guiding the energy and unlocking new moments every time you move.

Jolt will also showcase their inclusive dance classes with a very special Jolt Silent Disco class. Expect connection, creativity, and a whole lot of fun.

26/01/2026

Tomorrow at Scott Statue (car Oxford Tce and Worcester St)
10am till 12pm.
Try your hand at Mr Obregon's fabulous games!

8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival
Tuesday 27, 10am till 12pm.
Scott Statue (cnr Oxford The and WorcesterSt)
Games. Beautiful, hand crafted, collaborative games for everyone. Mr Obregon creates experiences that spark connection and help us reconnect with our inner child. His games are designed to be played together, building moments of joy, teamwork and gentle competition.

A key focus of his work is the integration of art and creativity into the dynamics of play. Many of the games include drawing, building, imagining or adding small artistic touches that change the outcome each time. Every round feels different and every group brings its own flavour.

It is simple, social and seriously fun. Time to play.

26/01/2026

Great fun at the 8 Days of Play rock painting and chalk art today. We were swamped with enthusiastic creators and storytellers. We loved seeing the kids (and adults) taking up space in the central city and office workers giving hopscotch a go as they walked past! Thanks to The Green Lab for always saying yes and running a great rock painting session and thanks to the Joy Fools, Belinda and Clem for excellent wrangling of chalk art and storytelling. Remember all our events are first in, first serve. Tomorrow you can try your hand at Mr Obregon's fabulous games. Scott Statue, 10am till 12pm.

26/01/2026

8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival
Saturday 31, 10am - 12pm
Scott Statue (cnr Oxford Tce and Worcester St)

The Joy Fools are back with the first ever World Buskers Festival Hobby Horse Racing Event, and it is set to be a highlight! The fun kicks off with a 90 minute Hobby Horse Making Workshop, where you can build your own noble steed from the materials provided. There is enough for 20 makers, and you can warm up on the field, testing out the jumps and obstacles as your horse takes shape.

At 11.30am the real chaos begins. First up is a judged exhibition of horses, followed by all the classics, dressage, show jumping and finally the much anticipated racing. Expect highs, lows and plenty of semi non professional glory. The right outfit will almost certainly lift your score, and the judges are known to be, well, flexible. All bets are probably off.

Limited spaces, so make sure you are first to the starting gates. 10am Hobby Horse Making. 11.30am Hobby Horse Competition.

24/01/2026

8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival
Monday 26, 10am till 12pm
110 Cashel St, Buskers Pitch.
Green Lab are joining forces with the Joy Fools to deliver a colourful mix of hands on making and playful storytelling. You can paint your own rock to take home or add it to a growing festival collection, while alongside you a collaborative chalk art story comes to life.

The chalk art unfolds in spirals and snake like patterns across the laneway beside the Rollickin Gelato on Cashel pitch and out into Cashel Mall, with each person adding new words and shapes as they go. Both activities run at the same time, creating a lively, low pressure space full of creative surprises.

Unleash your imagination and help shape two unique pieces of street side art.

24/01/2026

8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival
Tuesday 27, 10am till 12pm.
Scott Statue (cnr Oxford The and WorcesterSt)
Games. Beautiful, hand crafted, collaborative games for everyone. Mr Obregon creates experiences that spark connection and help us reconnect with our inner child. His games are designed to be played together, building moments of joy, teamwork and gentle competition.

A key focus of his work is the integration of art and creativity into the dynamics of play. Many of the games include drawing, building, imagining or adding small artistic touches that change the outcome each time. Every round feels different and every group brings its own flavour.

It is simple, social and seriously fun. Time to play.

24/01/2026

8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival!
Sunday 25, 10am - 12pm
Scott Statue (cnr Oxford Tce and Worcester St)
Circability brings the joy, colour and chaos of circus to life in this high energy busking workshop. Their tutors are masters at getting everyone involved, from total beginners to kids who have already perfected their cartwheel in the lounge. You’ll try your hand at juggling, balancing, spinning and a bunch of other classic circus skills that are far easier than they look and far funnier when they are not.
It is all about giving it a go, cheering each other on and discovering a trick or two you never knew you had in you. By the end, you will feel like a budding busking star, ready to show off your new moves on any street corner.

Big fun, plenty of laughs and the perfect way to dip into the world of circus.

20/01/2026

YERSSS!!! Can't wait to unleash 8 Days of Play at the World Buskers Festival. From Saturday 24th until Saturday 31th we'll be bringing all manner of playful activities to the central city - 10am till 12pm. For all grown folk and kid folk. See you there!!