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How Christchurch reopened its centre after the 2011 earthquake
Christchurch’s central-city cordon initially covered 387 hectares after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. It had shrunk to 38 hectares by February 2013. The government confirmed the official cordon had gone on 30 June 2013.
Sources checked
- 22 February 2011Earthquake hits Christchurch
The earthquake kills 185 people. Authorities establish a cordon around much of the central business district. Source 1
- 23 February 2011National state of emergency
The government declares a state of national emergency the day after the earthquake. Source 1
- 22 March 2011Safety cordon remains in place
The government describes the exclusion as necessary for safety while buildings and debris are assessed. Source 2
- 16 February 2013Rebuild zone covers 38 hectares
The government says the inner-city cordon has fallen from 387 hectares to 38 hectares. Source 4
- 14 May 2013Part of Cathedral Square reopens
A temporary pedestrian corridor opens through part of the square during further restrictions. Source 5
- 30 June 2013Government reports the official cordon gone
The government confirms the removal and announces a ceremony for the end of 857 days of Defence Force cordon service. Source 6
Choose a dated event to see what opened and which official record reported it.
Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4 Source 5 Source 6 Source 7
The first cordon was a safety response
The February earthquake damaged buildings in Christchurch and Lyttelton and killed 185 people. The national state of emergency followed the next day. The government said the central city remained cordoned while unsafe buildings were assessed and made secure. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
The footprint fell by about 90% by February 2013
The government recorded an original footprint of 387 hectares and 38 hectares on 16 February 2013. The audit describes gradual reductions as streets became safer. The hectares measure the area of restricted access rather than the area of property damage. Source 4 Source 3
A partial pedestrian route preceded the full removal
In May, a corridor through part of Cathedral Square reopened to pedestrians. Other access restrictions remained. On 30 June the government said the official cordon was gone and marked 857 days of Defence Force service at the cordon. Source 5 Source 6
The central cordon and residential red zones had different boundaries
The cordon controlled access to the centre. Land Information New Zealand’s residential red zones cover a separate programme for affected residential land. Lifting the central cordon reopened streets and did not end the residential land recovery work. Source 6 Source 7
Sources
- Manatū Taonga, national history account of the Christchurch earthquake
- New Zealand Government, March 2011 Christchurch cordon statement
- New Zealand Auditor-General, CERA project and programme assessment
- New Zealand Government, central city rebuild zone notice
- New Zealand Government, Cathedral Square pedestrian reopening notice
- New Zealand Government, removal of official cordon and Defence Force service
- Land Information New Zealand, Christchurch residential red zones