SiloStay offers a distinctive countryside escape in cleverly converted grain silos, blending contemporary comfort with rural tranquillity and providing a memorable base for exploring the natural beauty, coastal landscapes and relaxed pace of Banks Peninsula.
New Zealand: Christchurch – Earthquake sites
Before you can understand modern Christchurch, you have to start with the earthquakes. They are not a footnote. They are the turning point. Everything else flows from that.
The first major quake struck in the early hours of the morning. It measured 7.1 in magnitude and tore open farmland to the west of the city along what became known as the Greendale Fault. The ground shifted several metres sideways. Roads split. Brick facades fell into the street. Chimneys collapsed in their thousands. Power lines came down. Water pipes burst. It was violent and frightening, but by sheer good fortune, no one was killed directly in that event. The timing helped. Most people were at home in bed rather than in offices or shops.
Many assumed that would be the worst of it.
They were wrong.
The second major quake struck in the middle of a working day. It was smaller on paper, but far more destructive in reality. It was shallower and much closer to the city centre. The vertical acceleration was savage. People described being thrown off their feet. Office buildings shook like toys. Masonry rained down. Entire structures failed within seconds. One hundred and eighty-five people lost their lives. The majority were in the Canterbury Television building, which collapsed catastrophically.
And that was not the end. Thousands of aftershocks followed. Some strong enough to reopen fear every time the floor trembled.
Then there was liquefaction. Much of Christchurch is built on alluvial plains — sandy, waterlogged ground laid down by rivers over centuries. When intense shaking occurs in that kind of soil, it can lose strength and behave like liquid. Grey silt erupted through gardens and streets. Houses tilted. Roads sank. Entire suburbs were left coated in thick sludge. It was not simply a matter of sweeping up broken glass. The earth itself had become unreliable.
Insurance battles dragged on. Red zones were declared. Whole communities were relocated. The physical damage was enormous. The psychological damage lingered.
With all that in mind, we set out to see how the city had responded.
⛪ Christ Church Cathedral
Cathedral Square has long been the heart of Christchurch. The cathedral, built in Gothic Revival style, was intended to give the young colonial settlement a proper Anglican backbone. The early European settlers had grand ambitions. They wanted an orderly, English-feeling city in the South Pacific. The cathedral was the centrepiece.
When the February quake struck, the spire collapsed. Large sections of the tower fell away. The west front was badly damaged. For years, the building stood fenced off, silent and controversial. There were fierce debates about whether to demolish it or restore it. Engineers produced reports. Insurance companies argued. Campaign groups formed. It became about far more than stone and mortar.
When we visited, restoration was well under way. The plan is to retain its historic appearance while strengthening it internally with modern seismic engineering. Steel reinforcement and improved structural systems are being discreetly installed. It will look nineteenth century, but underneath it will be very twenty-first.
Standing there, looking at scaffolding wrapped around what was once a proud skyline feature, felt oddly hopeful. The city had decided that its history mattered.
🏗️ The Transitional Cathedral
A short walk away stands the Transitional Cathedral, better known as the Cardboard Cathedral. It was designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban as a temporary solution while the fate of the original cathedral was being resolved.
Temporary is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence.
The building uses large cardboard tubes as part of its roof structure, combined with laminated timber and steel. It forms a simple A-frame shape with a bright triangular window at the front incorporating coloured glass salvaged from the damaged cathedral. It seats several hundred people and functions fully as a place of worship and community gathering.
I will admit I approached it with mild British scepticism. Cardboard? In earthquake country? What could possibly go wrong?
But inside it feels calm, light and unexpectedly solid. In seismic terms, lightweight materials are actually advantageous. Less mass means less force when the ground moves. The structure is designed to flex rather than shatter. It is practical engineering wrapped in simple design.
It has become a symbol of resilience. Not grand. Not self-important. Just quietly effective.
🕯️ The Earthquake Memorial
We then visited the official Earthquake Memorial. It commemorates the 185 people who lost their lives in the February quake.
The design is restrained. A long pale stone wall is engraved with the names of the victims. There is seating. There are trees. The space encourages you to slow down and read.
And when you do read the names, it hits home. These were ordinary people on an ordinary weekday. Office workers. Students. Visitors. People who had no warning beyond a few seconds of violent shaking.
The memorial does not attempt to explain or dramatise. It simply records. Sometimes that is enough.
We stood there for a while. It felt appropriate to do so.
🌿 The Memorial Garden (CTV Site)
The site of the former Canterbury Television building has been turned into a memorial garden. This was where the majority of fatalities occurred when the building collapsed.
The garden is landscaped carefully, with plaques explaining what happened and seating areas for reflection. It is not elaborate. It does not need to be.
The collapse of the CTV building led to intense scrutiny of engineering standards and building assessments across New Zealand. Investigations examined design decisions, construction quality and regulatory oversight. The tragedy influenced changes in building codes and seismic strengthening requirements nationwide.
Knowing that so many lives ended on that patch of ground gives it a quiet gravity. It is a place that demands respect without ever raising its voice.
🏢 Quake City
We finished at Quake City, the earthquake museum. If you want to understand what happened here — both geologically and humanly — this is essential.
The exhibitions explain the science in plain terms. Tectonic plates grind against each other beneath New Zealand. Stress builds along faults. Eventually it releases. The September quake ruptured a previously unknown fault line. The February quake generated extreme ground acceleration because of its shallow depth and proximity to the city.
There are displays about liquefaction, showing how saturated sandy soils lost strength and allowed buildings to tilt and sink. There are damaged objects recovered from collapsed structures — twisted steel, cracked stone, everyday items that suddenly became relics.
Most affecting are the video testimonies. People describing where they were when the shaking began. Some were under desks. Some were on buses. Some were in stairwells that suddenly disappeared. Emergency workers recount pulling survivors from rubble. Families speak about loss with quiet dignity.
The museum also shows how Christchurch rebuilt. New construction uses deep piles driven into stable ground. Base isolation systems are installed in important buildings so that structures can move independently of the ground during shaking. Building standards have been tightened nationwide. The rebuild has resilience built into it from the outset.
It is not a city pretending nothing happened. It is a city that absorbed the lesson.
🧾 Reflections
Christchurch was hit hard. The earthquakes caused loss of life, massive damage and years of uncertainty. Entire suburbs vanished. The ground itself could not be trusted.
But the response has been steady and practical. Historic buildings are being strengthened. New structures are designed with seismic resilience in mind. Memorials are simple and respectful. The Transitional Cathedral shows that innovation can follow disaster.
It is a city that was knocked flat and chose to stand up again — properly this time, with better foundations.
We left thoughtful. There is humour in life, of course, and I am partial to a good moan about prices and modern design. But some places deserve straightforward respect.
Christchurch is one of them.
Getting around Christchurch
Getting to and around Christchurch
Christchurch is easy to reach and simple to navigate, whether you are arriving from overseas or travelling within New Zealand. Below is a practical guide to help visitors plan their journey.
✈️ By Air – Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport is located approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre. It operates domestic and international flights, with regular services from Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and major Australian cities.
Getting from the airport to the city:
🚌 Public bus: Operated by Metro (see below). Services run frequently to the central city.
🚕 Taxi and rideshare: Readily available outside the terminal.
🚗 Car hire: Major rental companies are based at the airport.
Website: www.christchurchairport.co.nz
🚌 Public Buses – Metro Christchurch
Christchurch’s public bus network is operated by Metro Christchurch. Buses cover the city centre, suburbs and key visitor areas.
Key features:
Regular services throughout the day.
Real-time tracking via the Metro app.
Affordable fares compared with taxis.
Travel card:
💳 Metrocard – A reusable smart card offering cheaper fares than cash tickets.
Available online or at selected retailers.
Contactless payment is also accepted on most services.
Website: www.metroinfo.co.nz
🚋 Heritage Tram – Christchurch Tramway
The Christchurch Tramway operates a restored heritage tram loop around the central city. It is both a transport option and a sightseeing experience.
Highlights:
Hop-on, hop-off access.
Commentary provided on board.
Covers key attractions such as Cathedral Square and the Avon River area.
Tickets:
Day passes available.
Family passes offered.
Website: www.christchurchattractions.nz/christchurch-tram
🚆 By Train – Scenic Rail Services
Long-distance scenic trains are operated by KiwiRail.
Popular routes include:
TranzAlpine (Christchurch to Greymouth) – crossing the Southern Alps.
Coastal services (seasonal).
Christchurch Railway Station is a short drive from the city centre.
Website: www.greatjourneysnz.com
🚌 Long-Distance Coaches
InterCity provides coach connections between Christchurch and destinations throughout New Zealand.
Features:
Budget-friendly fares.
Multiple daily departures.
Online booking discounts.
Website: www.intercity.co.nz
🚖 Taxis & Rideshare
Taxis operate throughout Christchurch and can be hailed, booked by phone or reserved via app.
Rideshare services such as Uber are widely available and often competitively priced.
These options are particularly useful for:
Airport transfers
Late-night travel
Direct suburban journeys
🚗 Car Hire & Driving
Hiring a car offers flexibility, especially if you plan to explore Canterbury, Akaroa or the Southern Alps.
Driving tips:
Drive on the left.
Parking is metered in the central city.
Many hotels offer guest parking.
🚲 Cycling & Walking
Christchurch is one of New Zealand’s most cycle-friendly cities.
Extensive cycle lanes.
Flat terrain ideal for easy riding.
E-scooters available for short journeys.
The central city is compact and highly walkable, making it easy to explore on foot.
The best time to visit Christchurch
🌸 Spring (September to November)
Spring in Christchurch is a season of renewal. The city’s parks and gardens begin to bloom, and the famous displays in the Botanic Gardens are full of colour. Temperatures generally range between 7°C and 18°C. The weather can be changeable, with bright sunshine one moment and a cool southerly breeze the next.
This is a pleasant time for walking along the Avon River, exploring Hagley Park, or taking day trips to the nearby Banks Peninsula. Visitor numbers are moderate, making it easier to enjoy popular sights without large crowds. However, spring showers are common, and winds can feel sharp, particularly in September.
What to pack:
Light layers (long-sleeved tops and jumpers)
A waterproof jacket
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunglasses and sunscreen
A light scarf for cooler evenings
☀️ Summer (December to February)
Summer is the warmest and most popular time to visit Christchurch. Daytime temperatures usually sit between 12°C and 25°C, though occasional hotter days can climb above this. The long daylight hours make it ideal for outdoor activities, coastal visits to Sumner or New Brighton, and scenic drives through Canterbury.
The city has a lively atmosphere during summer, with outdoor markets, festivals, and events taking place. Gardens are in full bloom, and the dry climate often provides settled weather. This is also peak tourist season, so accommodation prices may be higher and popular attractions busier.
What to pack:
Light clothing (shorts, t-shirts, breathable fabrics)
A hat and sunglasses
High-factor sunscreen
Swimwear
A light jacket for cooler evenings
🍂 Autumn (March to May)
Autumn in Christchurch brings milder temperatures and beautiful seasonal colours. Daytime temperatures range from about 8°C to 20°C. The trees throughout the city turn shades of gold, orange, and red, particularly in parks and along the riverbanks.
This season is generally settled and calm, with fewer visitors than summer. It is a comfortable time for sightseeing, cycling, and exploring vineyards or nearby countryside areas. Evenings become noticeably cooler by late April and May.
What to pack:
Warm layers
A medium-weight jacket or coat
Comfortable walking shoes
An umbrella
Light gloves for late autumn evenings
❄️ Winter (June to August)
Winter in Christchurch is crisp and cool. Temperatures usually range from 1°C to 12°C. Mornings can be frosty, and occasional fog may linger early in the day. Snow is rare in the city itself but common in the nearby Southern Alps, making this a good base for ski trips.
The city feels quieter during winter, and there are fewer tourists. Clear winter days can be bright and beautiful, though nights are cold. Indoor attractions, cafés, galleries, and museums provide welcome warmth.
What to pack:
A warm coat
Jumpers and thermal layers
Gloves, scarf, and hat
Waterproof shoes
Moisturiser and lip balm for dry air
📊 Seasonal Summary Chart
| Season | Months | Average Temperature | Visitor Levels | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Sept–Nov | 7°C–18°C | Moderate | Gardens in bloom, fewer crowds |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 12°C–25°C | High | Warm weather, festivals, beaches |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 8°C–20°C | Moderate–Low | Autumn colours, mild days |
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 1°C–12°C | Low | Quiet city, ski access nearby |
Overall, the best time to visit Christchurch depends on what you enjoy most. Summer offers warmth, long days, and lively events, making it ideal for outdoor activities. However, autumn provides a fine balance of mild weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful scenery. For many visitors, late March and April often feel like the most comfortable and rewarding time to experience the city.
Where to stay in Christchurch
More to Explore
