Christchurch's Mayor says he was shocked by the $400 thousand bill to restore Cathedral Square's Chalice. 

The City Council's investigating ways to reduce the cost for work, including a complete re-paint and corrosion repairs. 

It's the first maintenance work to the Chalice since installation in 2001. 

Phil Mauger told John MacDonald options include touching up the Chalice leaves but leaving the actual structure as-is. 

“The person that we’re dealing with, we’re working with them to see if we can lower it down.” 

“It is far too much.” 

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