Christchurch – the city of art and destruction
Buildings falling to pieces.
Construction site after construction site.
Little pockets of pop up life.
Art and colour amongst the grey.
A city attempting to rebuild itself.
This is Christchurch.
The River Avon, Christchurch
I had the pleasure of visiting the proud Canterbury town of Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand late last year. I visited prior to the earthquakes that caused a lot of destruction to Kaikoura and surrounding regions. I had managed a few day trips out to Kaikoura and Akaroa, before checking out the local city of Christchurch itself.
Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral
Inside the Cardboard Cathedral
Christchurch city is a hard place to describe. I’d never visited prior to the 2010-11 earthquakes that caused so much destruction. I could see aspects all around that reminded me of Canterbury in England, the architecture, the River Avon, the green pastures. Yet, sadness grew around me, the lump in my throat got stuck as I wandered around the city.
185 white chairs pay tribute to victims of the February 2011 earthquake
It was a grey day, which didn’t help.
Christchurch Cathedral – possibly the hardest building to see
There was so many buildings crumbling at the seams. So many areas cordoned off form the public. So many construction sites that didn’t seem to be making progress.
Christchurch Cathedral
Christchurch Cathedral
Christchurch building sites
Christchurch building sites
Christchurch building sites
Christchurch destruction
Christchurch destruction
Then there were the pocket of life. Pockets of colour.
New Regent Street, Christchurch
Pop up markets bringing people back into the city. Allowing retailers and cafes to get started again.
Christchurch pop up Re:START
Christchurch pop up
Christchurch tram
Art installations, bringing hope and creativity to the city. Neil Dawson’s Chalice stands strong beside the crumbling Christchurch Cathedral that meant so much to the city. Likewise his Fanfare sculpture sits on the edge of the city, welcoming visitors with all it’s pinwheels.
Chalice, next to the Cathedral
Neil Dawson’s Fanfare
Art in the Re:START pop up
Art in the Re:START pop up
Little sculptures around the city
Art in Christchurch
Art in Christchurch
Art in Christchurch
Christchurch was an emotional visit. I feel for the locals that have stayed and helped rebuild and make a go of things again. Talking to the locals really helped put things in perspective. Yes, Auckland has its own concerns, but compared to what the Canterbury region has to deal with, it seems hard to compare.
‘Inner Struggle’ sculpture in Christchurch
I always knew this blog post would be difficult to write. Between the emotional side it brought out of me and other very difficult events late last year, this post has been delayed for some time. Thanks for reading, next week I’ll share a post about my favourite part of Christchurch, so stay tuned for some positive vibes!
As a Chch born Aussie living person who visits the city a couple times a year, I can see the progress happening in the city. They always said it was going to take a while. What gets me though, is driving around the Eastern suburbs where things still aren’t happening or whole suburbs have disappeared. But it is good to see something happening in the city
It’s good that you’re seeing some progress! Guess there is just so much to do and all the tremors put things back.
I think even now people are on edge because they don’t know for certain that the earth has stopped moving
Must be so hard, really feel for them down there!
I got so teary reading this, but it’s amazing seeing how resilient and ready to go people there are, like the pop-ups. I miss this place so much since it was my home for a year, and am so proud of all my friends who have stuck it out and are still there.
Awww big hugs x