About
Christchurch, with a population of some 370,000, is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the second largest in the country after Auckland.
On 4 September 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Christchurch and the central Canterbury region at a depth of 10km. It caused widespread damage to the city and minor injuries, but no direct fatalities.
On 22 February 2011, a second earthquake measuring magnitude 6.3 struck closer to the central city at a depth of 5km. The intensity and violence of the ground shaking was measured at MM 9 – “violent” – among the strongest ever recorded globally in an urban area. In total 185 people were killed, and several thousand were injured.
Widespread damage was caused across Christchurch to buildings and infrastructure already weakened by the 4 September 2010 earthquake and its aftershocks. Significant liquefaction affected the eastern suburbs, producing around 400,000 tonnes of silt.
Achieving recovery will be a joint effort between the public and private sectors and the wider community. The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) is coordinating the rebuilding and recovery of greater Christchurch through a programme of action involving local and central government, iwi – Maori tribes, businesses, community groups and individuals, land owners and developers, house-builders, infrastructure providers and the insurance and finance sectors.
The rebuild will be one of the biggest single construction projects in the world and it is right on Australia’s doorstep. Australian firms will have the unique opportunity to be involved in an estimated NZ$40 billion construction program.
The New Zealand Government has resolved to make it as easy as possible for investors, developers and firms to be part of the rebuild and they are removing the bureaucratic roadblocks.
The major anchor projects will create the space, precincts, and market conditions for a whole host of development and investment opportunities. These will include retail, commercial and residential developments.
The earthquakes of 2010/11 have provided a unique opportunity to plan and rebuild Christchurch. Austrade is working alongside key Christchurch agencies to assist Australian firms in the identification of opportunities to contribute to the rebuilding of New Zealand’s second largest city, the provision of a direct understanding of Christchurch and the knowledge to work with the greater Austrade network to deliver tangible outcomes.
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Links
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority - www.cera.govt.nz
Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team - www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz
Christchurch City Council - www.ccc.govt.nz
Canterbury Development Corporation - www.cdc.org.nz
Christchurch Central Development Unit - www.ccdu.govt.nz
Contact us
For more information please contact:
New Zealand
Philippa Hawken
Business Development Manager
Austrade New Zealand
Tel: +649 921 8805
Email: philippa.hawken@austrade.gov.au or auckland@austrade.gov.au
Australia
Alexander Veneziano
Austrade Direct
Austrade Sydney
Tel: 13 28 78 (Australia only)
Email: info@austrade.gov.au