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An aerial shot of Christchurch CBD taken in December 2011.
Source: Ref: PADL-000646. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/30630066
This was an aftershock of the 4 September 2010 Canterbury earthquake.
Striking at around lunchtime on 22 February, the quake claimed 185 lives and caused severe damage in Canterbury. We take a look at Parliament’s response in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, and its role in the recovery of a region and a nation.
How Parliament reacted
In recognition of the earthquake that day, Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key made a ministerial statement to the House on 22 February. This was followed by speeches from all parties, and the House adjourned at 2.22 pm.
The flags at Parliament flew at half-mast.
The following day, Deputy Prime Minister Hon Bill English made a ministerial statement, updating the House on the response to the earthquake. This was followed by speeches from other parties.
Let me repeat the assurance given by the Prime Minister earlier today: no one will be left to walk this journey alone; New Zealand will walk this journey with them.
- Hon Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister, 23 February 2011
Minister of Civil Defence, Hon John Carter, then made a ministerial statement, advising the House that a state of national emergency had been declared. The House again adjourned early – at 2.32pm – until 8 March 2011.
The 15 members of Parliament with offices in Canterbury were given leave by Parliament so they could assist constituents and deal with their own homes and offices. They were still able to have their votes cast in the House.
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The flags at Parliament flying at half-mast in acknowledgement of the earthquake in Christchurch.
Source: Parliamentary Service Collection
A condolence book was set up in the main foyer of Parliament House. This was available for signing by members of the Diplomatic Corps and the general public.
On 1 March, from 12.30pm, a vigil service was held on Parliament’s forecourt open to members of the public. At 12.51pm, exactly one week after the earthquake struck, two minutes of silence was observed.
The bells of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul rang a half-muffled peal for 10 minutes from 12.56 pm.
Acting quickly
Reflecting the significance of the disaster, Parliament moved promptly to pass legislation to acknowledge the impact of the quake, and help Canterbury’s recovery.
On 10 March 2011, the Canterbury Earthquake Commemoration Day Bill was introduced, and received assent on 14 March. The bill provided for 18 March 2011 to be a day commemorating the devastating consequences of the Canterbury earthquakes and, in particular, the aftershock on 22 February 2011.
On 12 April 2011, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill was introduced and received assent on 18 April. The resulting Act repealed and replaced the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Response and Recovery Act 2010. Its purpose included providing appropriate measures to ensure that greater Christchurch, and its councils and their communities, respond to and recover from the impacts of the earthquakes.
The road to recovery
Over the following years, Parliament continued to pass legislation that included the purpose of aiding the Canterbury rebuild.
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The condolence book that was available for signing at Parliament House
Source: Parliamentary Service Collection
One of the most significant was the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill. The Bill received assent on 7 April 2016, and was designed to support the regeneration of greater Christchurch through a focused regeneration process. It repealed the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, and recognised the shift in focus from recovery to regeneration. One of its purposes was to facilitate an increased role for local leadership.
The ensuing Act was later updated by the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Amendment Bill, which aimed to accelerate the transition of regeneration to local leadership in greater Christchurch. This bill received assent on 29 June 2020.
More details about the 2011 earthquake, and the legislation that followed, are available in the recently published Parliamentary Library research paper, Major New Zealand earthquakes since 1855. You can access the paper via the Related Links below.
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The vigil service held at Parliament on Tuesday 1 March 2011, exactly one week after the devastating Christchurch earthquake of 22 February.
Source: Mike Burke