Christchurch Earthquake: How The City Has Changed

Five years after a shallow, savage earthquake flattened Christchurch, we take a look at how the city has changed.

A staggering 1300 buildings within The Garden City's four avenues have since been either fully or partially demolished.

Around 1,100 building consents, worth $1.76 billion, have been issued.

A world-class cricket oval has been built, along with new bus station, construction on the vast one-stop Justice and Emergency Services Precinct is ploughing ahead, while the shiny new Innovation Precinct is flourishing with Vodafone, Kathmandu, Callaghan Innovation all returning to the rebuilding city centre.

While many private developers rushed ahead to build with more certainty outside the CBD, in Victoria St, Lincoln Rd, and Show Place, others have completed impressive inner city developments.

Every week, it feels like more empty lots are being filled and joining together with other buildings. It's still a struggle to remember what was there before.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) Acting Chief Executive John Ombler says progress is "going gangbusters".

Before and after photos of the deadly 2011 Christchurch quake:

For more on this story visit NZ Herald.