10 Things to Do in Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, Christchurch New Zealand
The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial is a memorial to the 185 people who lost their lives in the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck Christchurch, New Zealand on 22 February 2011. Located in the former Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers building in the city centre, the memorial commemorates the lives of those who died and celebrates the resilience of the people of Christchurch. Here are 10 things to do when visiting the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial.
1. Visit the Memorial Garden: The Memorial Garden is located in the grounds of the former Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers building and is a peaceful and reflective place to remember those who lost their lives in the earthquake. The garden features a memorial wall with the names of the victims and a sculpture of a tÅtara tree, which symbolises strength and resilience.
2. View the Memorial Wall: The Memorial Wall is located inside the former Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers building and is a tribute to the 185 lives lost in the earthquake. The wall features photographs of each of the victims and a short biography of each person.
3. Participate in a Guided Tour: Guided tours of the memorial are offered by the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial staff. The tour includes a visit to the memorial garden, a viewing of the memorial wall, and a discussion of the events of the day and its aftermath.
4. Participate in a Memorial Service: The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial holds an annual memorial service on 22 February to commemorate the lives lost in the earthquake. The memorial service is open to the public and includes readings, music, and a moment of silence.
5. Attend a Remembrance Event: The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial holds a range of remembrance events throughout the year, including a candlelight vigil on the anniversary of the earthquake and a memorial concert.
6. View the Earthquake Art Collection: The Earthquake Art Collection is a permanent exhibition at the memorial that features works of art created in response to the earthquake. The collection includes paintings, photographs, sculptures, and other works of art created by local artists.
7. Visit the Visitor Centre: The Visitor Centre is located in the former Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers building and is the starting point for visitors to the memorial. The centre includes interactive displays and information about the earthquake and its aftermath.
8. Visit the Earthquake Museum: The Earthquake Museum is located in the former Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers building and is a permanent exhibition that tells the story of the earthquake and its aftermath. The museum features interactive displays, photographs, and artefacts from the earthquake.
9. View the Earthquake Memorial Artwork: The Earthquake Memorial Artwork is located in the former Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers building and is a permanent exhibition of artwork created in response to the earthquake. The artwork includes paintings, sculptures, and other works of art created by local artists.
10. Explore the Earthquake Trail: The Earthquake Trail is a walking tour of the city centre that takes visitors to sites affected by the earthquake. The trail includes stops at the memorial garden, the memorial wall, and other sites of significance to the earthquake.