A memorial service is held in Latimer Square on the anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Flowers and photos are left at the steps of the temporary memorial.
A memorial service is held in Latimer Square on the anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Flowers and photos are left at the steps of the temporary memorial.
A string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School plays on the riverbank before the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake.
A string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School play on the riverbank before the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake.
On the third anniversary of the first major earthquake to hit Christchurch thousands of people with the most badly damaged homes are still wrangling with their insurance companies over rebuilds.
A photograph and flowers are attached to a fence on the anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. A message on the photograph reads, "Some of the guys who found you!! Thank you!".
A photograph of a wreath left at the site of the CTV building by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Second anniversary 22 February earthquake".
Crowds gather in front of a large screen to watch Prime Minister John Key give a speech at the memorial service held in Latimer Square on the anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A video of a memorial service in Latimer Square held on the second anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The video includes speeches from Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and Prime Minister John Key.
A string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School plays on the riverbank before the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. In the foreground people wait for the event to start.
A sign and basket of flowers for the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. The sign reads "In memory of those we lost, Feb 22nd 2011, River of Flowers".
People gather beside the Avon River in Riccarton Bush for the River of Flowers event, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. A sign reads "In memory of those we lost, Feb 22nd 2011, River of Flowers".
A string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School plays on the riverbank before the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. In the foreground people wait for the event to start.
Baskets of flowers for the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. The photographer comments, "These baskets of flowers were brought by the organisers, in case anyone wasn't able to bring their own flowers".
People cast flowers into the Avon River during the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. In the background is the string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School which played before the event.
A woman casts flowers into the Avon River during the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. In the background is the string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School which played before the event.
People cast flowers into the Avon River during the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. In the background is the string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School which played before the event.
Baskets of flowers for the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. The photographer comments, "These baskets of flowers were brought by the organisers, in case anyone wasn't able to bring their own flowers".
People cast flowers into the Avon River during the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. In the background is the string quartet from Christchurch Girls High School which played before the event.
People gather beside the Avon River in Riccarton Bush for the River of Flowers event, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. A sign reads "In memory of those we lost, Feb 22nd 2011, River of Flowers". One of the organisers holds a basket of flowers, to distribute to people who couldn't bring their own.
A bunch of flowers laid beside the Avon River during the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. The photographer comments, "The organisers told me these were brought by an elderly South African woman. She had a disability so couldn't make it down to the riverbank herself, so she asked the organisers to throw them in on her behalf".
The "Tree of Hope" at the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. The photographer comments, "Luggage labels and pens were supplied, and people were encouraged to write a message of hope for Christchurch and tie it to the tree. Although the turn-out this year was just as big as last year's, there were not as many messages tied to the tree - perhaps we're all feeling less hopeful this year".
People write messages for the "Tree of Hope" at the River of Flowers event held in Riccarton Bush, commemorating the second anniversary of the 22 February earthquake. The photographer comments, "Luggage labels and pens were supplied, and people were encouraged to write a message of hope for Christchurch and tie it to the tree. Although the turn-out this year was just as big as last year's, there were not as many messages tied to the tree - perhaps we're all feeling less hopeful this year".
We're broadcasting today from Christchurch on the second anniversary of the six point three magnitude earthquake which devastated this city. One hundred and eighty five died in the quake and today at midday a memorial service will be held in Latimer Square. After two years, the pace of the rebuild is growing, but for some, so is frustration. More than seven thousand property owners in the residential red zone received a buyout offer from the government. Most of those have taken it - but there are a few who haven't.