Christchurch earthquakes 15 year anniversary: then & now photos
February 2026 marks 15 years since the magnitude 6.3 Christchurch earthquake shook the city, took 185 lives, injured thousands, and left tens of thousands with emotional scars. It’s impossible to overstate the profound impact this tragedy had on our city – so in commemoration of its anniversary, we reflect on how far we’ve come.
Out of the rubble, a new and revitalised city is rising. One that is laser focused on achieving a world-class rebuild,” writes Deb Donnell, a local on a dedicated mission documenting the city’s transformative journey since the terrifying quake. Her latest book compares countless landmarks and landscapes citywide and beyond, the fourth of her Christchurch Then and Now series.
Resilience and Christchurch’s great community spirit has prevailed in the years since. “Fortunately, history does show that Christchurch always bounces back from its challenges, thanks to the people who live in, work in, visit, and love the city,” Deb says.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deb Donnell is a proud Cantabrian who, after the earthquakes, started producing non-fiction books about Christchurch. She aimed to fundraise for those impacted, tell their stories, and share the city’s evolution. Deb’s collection of insightful photos is evidence of her commitment to Canterbury’s history and its people. You can support her work by providing book reviews, spreading the word, and purchasing copies from local book retailers and visitor attraction sites, or online at keswinpublishing.com.
