Memorials and services for the Canterbury earthquakes

Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial in 2020 The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial () is the Crown's official memorial for those killed or seriously injured in the February 2011 earthquake. It is located on both sides of the Avon River / Ōtākaro downstream from the Montreal Street bridge. The memorial opened on 22 February 2017, the sixth anniversary of the earthquake. CTV Building site memorial The collapse of the CTV Building in the February 2011 earthquake resulted in 115 deaths, 62percent of the total fatality count of 185 in that earthquake. The site reopened on 21 February 2018, the day before the earthquake's seven year anniversary, as a quiet memorial space, at the request of the families of the victims. Some of the building's foundations were kept in places and there is a memorial plinth on the northwest corner of the former building. PGC Building site site telling people to respect the site The PGC Building collapsed in the February 2011 earthquake, resulting in 18 deaths. The site later became a lawn with a small garden and a few benches. There is a sign at the edge of the site telling people to respect it. 185 empty chairs Art The Spires sculpture in Latimer Square was installed in 2014. Made by sculptor Neil Dawson, it was inspired by the former spire of Christ Church Cathedral, destroyed in the February 2011 earthquake. The sculpture Extant by Graham Bennett was designed for and dedicated to the victims of the CTV Building collapse. It was installed at Knox Plaza in June 2015. At the University of Canterbury is a sculpture named Roimata, made by Riki Manuel. On the sculpture is a plaque that says that the university's cycleway is dedicated "to the courage and contribution of the University community following the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes." The remains could not be identified because they were burnt by the fire in the CTV Building after it collapsed. The gravesite was unveiled on 21 February 2012, the day before the earthquake's first anniversary. On the day afterwards, it was opened to the public. There are signs on both sides of the river providing information about the old bridge. At City Mall there is a plaque dedicated to the 22 February earthquake. In February 2023 Our Stories Project Trust created a 30-minute audio walk that goes from Quake City (a part of Canterbury Museum) to the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial. It has stories told by 30 people who experienced the earthquake, was made in collaboration with Arts Digital Lab of University of Canterbury and was made using some content from the Canterbury Earthquakes Digital Archive (CEISMIC). File:City Mall earthquake memorial 727.jpg|The plaque at City Mall File:Earthquake damage - Medway Bridge.jpg|The Medway Street bridge in March 2011, before it was removed == Services and commemorative events ==

First week On 1 March, one week after the February 2011 earthquake, a vigil was held at the forecourt and grounds of Parliament. as did Governor General Anand Satyanand and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English. In Christchurch, over 200 firefighters and rescue workers congregated around the A Tribute to Firefighters memorial for the September 11 attacks for the silence. At the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, water slides and spas were turned off and in Wellington, buses and cars were reportedly stopped and pulled over. Starting at 12:56pm, the bells of the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul rang a half-muffled peal for 10 minutes. Prince William made a two-day trip to the country to tour the areas affected by the earthquake and attended on the Queen's behalf and made an address during the service. New Zealand's governor-general, Sir Anand Satyanand, attended, along with John Key, Bob Parker, and a number of local and international dignitaries. Australia's official delegation included Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. 2021 memorial service A memorial service was held at the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial on 22 February 2021 to mark ten years since the earthquake and was attended by Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. A minute's silence was held at 12:51pm, and the names of all the victims were read aloud by Christchurch residents and first responders, before a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial. River of Flowers The River of Flowers ceremony, in which members of the public drop flowers into the Avon River / Ōtākaro in memory of those who died during the earthquake, was inaugurated on the first anniversary of the event (22 February 2012) and remains an annual commemorative ritual. The event was created by Michelle Whitaker of Healthy Christchurch and Evan Smith of Avon-Otakaro Network. The events have included people writing messages and placing them on several Trees of Hope. In the 2013 ceremony, the quake-damaged Medway Street footbridge was farewelled. It was removed a few months later. Flowers in road cones Before the first anniversary of the February 2011 earthquake, Christchurch artist Henry Sunderland created a cartoon that encouraged people to place flowers in road cones on the first anniversary, as an act of remembrance. After Sunderland posted the cartoon on facebook and it received over 4,000 shares within a few days, people in several countries followed the suggestion on 22 February 2012. In 2021, the University of Canterbury put wheelbarrows with roses in them on University Drive so that people could place them in road cones. == Condolence books ==

A condolence book was set up in Parliament House, which was signed by both the public and the Diplomatic corps. The council of Christchurch, Dorset, in England, which is a twin town with New Zealand's Christchurch, created four condolence books. In the High Commission of New Zealand in London, Prince Charles, Prince Philip, Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton, as well as Prince Harry signed the condolence book. Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama signed the condolence book in the high commission in Fiji. == References ==