Late last year I was quietly reading the travel section of the Sunday newspaper, when I came across an article on how well Christchurch was doing since the disastrous earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.
Having visited in 2010, and then again in 2014, and so having a good idea of what had happened, I felt an urge to return to have a look for myself.
Christchurch Cathedral survived the earthquake of September 2010 but eventually collapsed in February, 2011.
It was decided to rebuild the cathedral. It’s coming on but still has a long way to go.
After a lot of the buildings along the river were demolished, a village of shipping containers was set up as temporary shops, surrounded by little gardens. I loved it – so quirky.
They’ve gone now, replaced by modern cafes, restaurants and a food market. It had to happen, I suppose, but it’s lost that quirkiness. Still, it’s a very nice spot, sleek and very modern.
Last time I was here, most of the former Canterbury College buildings were off limits because of the damage that had been caused to them.
They’ve been repaired and it’s now the Christchurch Arts Centre. A little touch of Cambridge in the Antipodes.
Directly across the road from there is the Botanic Gardens, a stunning spot, with the Avon River running through. If anyone happens to visit Christchurch, I definitely suggest a wander through here.
Dotted around the city centre, older buildings have been replaced with some fairly impressive new ones.
Also in the process of being built is a large sporting arena, complete with a roof, right on the edge of the city, scheduled to open in April this year.
Some buildings didn’t do well. The Post Office on the edge of Cathedral Square is still closed,
and the Catholic Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, sustained too much damage and had to be demolished.
A new cathedral is being planned for the same site.
Most of the old shopping centre has been replaced by new chain stores, boutiques and arcades.
I found it quite funny seeing the dome of The Rotunda in Hagley Park sitting completely intact on the ground.
Christchurch is called the garden city and it’s easy to see why.
I was pleased I came back for another look at one of my favourite places. Christchurch is definitely springing back and is actually looking even better than before.
Planning to the Nth 
sounds great Coral great post and pics Nadine
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Thanks, Nar.
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You always inform and entertain. I’ll never visit but if I was younger your taster would wencourage me to explore Chrustchurch.
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Thanks so much.
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By chance, we visited Christchurch the week before the 2011 quake. It was just terrible to see the damage done at the time. But people are resilient. I was very interested to see how it looks today.
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Always great to see rebuilding after a disaster. People are resilient but Mother Nature always seems to have the last say.
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She definitely has a big say in NZ, Lyssy. Thanks for reading.
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So sad to see the damage, and know that a lot can’t be rebuilt and the old character is lost. It’s a lot of work, but at least you saw progress, although slow. Maggie
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Thanks, Maggie. They’re a pretty resilient lot in NZ, having to live with earthquakes on a regular basis, plus the newer buildings are built to withstand further earthquakes, so that’s good.
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Some great photos. Always hard to see the old buildings destroyed.
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Thanks, Darlene.
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How amazing to see the city in both before and after states of the earthquake. I’m so glad they are rebuilding but so sad that they needed to at all
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It was a pretty bad time, Meg, though some of the city areas weren’t damaged at all, which was weird. It’s looking pretty optimistic, I have to say.
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Lovely looking city, and a country we plan to visit one day.
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I hope you do, Glenys. Just three and a half hours across the ditch and very easy to get around. Amazing scenery on the South Island and all the volcanic stuff on the North. So interesting.
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