Christchurch Devastation

New Zealand's 3rd largest city (after Auckland and Wellington), beautiful Christchurch was devastated by a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. The central business district and historic center were hardest hit. Nearly 200 people were killed and some 20-30 billion dollars of damage done. Christchurch was never a great tourism destination, just a wonderful place to work and live, it is said, New Zealand's "most British" city. The devastation, even after 3 years, is heart-breaking. But the resurgence is equally impressive.

Near the city center

"Rebuild Tours"...a bus tour of the devastation and the
rebuilding

Christchurch's cathedral; the tower at its west end collapsed,
and now the whole building has been declared unsalvageable

"Let these stone speak of a love that endures forever"

Cathedral west

Buildings old and new were damaged, including
this modern high-rise, now closed

And this newer building

A high water table and liquefaction has added to the problems

Many of the older neo-Gothic buildings were damaged,
but this bit of Government House apparently will survive

The new-looking central library, damaged and closed;
impossible to tell those buildings awaiting demolition from
those awaiting repair

And yet another high rise

Site of another destroyed church

An historical facade being supported (?)

And an old theater destroyed...