This post: 1) Earthquake; 2) Restoration; 3) City of Art; 4) Botanic Garden; 5) Penguins; 6) Gondola
So much to do in Christchurch. The city is dynamic and bustling and a good “base camp” for day trips to picturesque Banks Peninsula and multiple vineyard/cellar doors. For an overnight or two, drive (or via train) 1) west to Arthur’s Pass; 2) west to Mt. Cook; 3) north to Kaikōura; 4) north to the spas in Hanmer Springs.
1) Earthquake
In February, 2011 a 6.2 earthquake demolished 80% of the buildings within a 4 block square of Christchurch city center destroying 10,000 homes
A sobering reminder is the remains of the collapsed tower and a gaping hole in the town center’s Anglican Cathedral. After nearly 10 years of exposure and pigeon poop, a printed tarp was fastened over the cathedral’s gaping opening in December, 2020 to protect workers and deter the pigeons.
Embroiled in legal battles since 2011, the church’s synod voted (again) in August 2021 to fund restoration at a cost of $104 million.
Photo Credit: Holmes Consulting Group – ACNS News Service
Exposed for 10 years – shored up by shipping containers 
Covered by a tarp printed with the rose window.
For more about the earthquake, click either link:
- Just Passing Through, ChristChurch: Nine Years After The Big One
- New Zealand History Earthquake 2011
The Chair Memorial preserves the memory of 185 deaths with chairs selected by family members.
2) Restoration
A Symbol of Moving On – The Transitional Cathedral
Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and constructed from 98 equally sized cardboard tubes and 8 steel shipping containers, the church was the city’s first non commercial structure built after the earthquake.
Preservation / Restoration
Cutting-edge architecture alongside original buildings, some of NZ’s oldest, reflect the city’s English heritage.
New Regent Street – Reconstructed 
Tile Work On Convention Center 
Convention Center 
Tūranga – Central Library
The lengths that Christchurch has gone to rebuild their city are astounding. The $290m NZD restoration of The Arts Centre te Matatiki Toi Oram began in 2012. The complex consists of 23 neo-gothic buildings, built in 1878.
Arts Centre Quadrant 
Arts Centre Complex – Formerly Univ. Of Canterbury
3) Art and the City
Art became a central part of rebuilding the city.
In 2012 after the earthquake, the Bull/Piano “Chapman’s Homer” was exhibited at the city’s edge. Positioned between ruin and rebuild, it became a symbol of strength and resilience. It was acquired by the city’s public art gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū when it reopened in 2015.
Artist, Michael Parekowhai 
Built 2003
STAY in the Avon – by Arthur Gormley 
STAY – in Art Center Quadrant
More than 50 years ago in Bluff, at the bottom of the South Island, Fred and Myrtle Flutey attached thousands of paua shells to the wall of their living room and collected a variety of kiwiana kitsch. The shell collection was loaned to the Canterbury Museum.
Fred and Myrtle’s Paua Shell House
Street Art
Penguin Sculpture Trail Runs Across the City
4) Botanic Gardens / Outdoors
Loving the trees!
Video: Botanic Gardens
Video: Sound of Wetas (flightless crickets)
The Avon River intersects the city bringing a natural landscape to the urban environment.
5) Little Blue Penguins – Antarctica Center
Christchurch is the starting point for Antarctic explorers, scientists and support staff. Worth a visit is The International Antarctic Centre. See “Life at Scott Base” at the 4D Theatre and Penguin Encounter.
Video
6) The Gondola Adventure Park
In December, 2020 a monolith appeared overnight at the top of the gondola ride. Ride up…walk down. The walk is long.
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Travel Broadly - Marlene & Steve 
I saved this to read when I had plenty of time to digest and enjoy. We, too, loved Christchurch pre-earthquake. I’m thrilled to see how things are sort of getting back to normal. The chair memorial is stunningly beautiful and poignant. I remember the little penguins. Everything about NZ is addictive. I’d love to go back tomorrow!
Yes..addictive it is. You and I were both lucky to spend a good amount of time in the country.