As far as suburbs with bad reputations go, Aranui in Christchurch often seems to dominate local public perceptions. High crime, high unemployment, low incomes, run-down state houses and uncared-for neighbourhoods have been the key words and phrases used over many decades. This reputation achieved national standing over the same period and in 2001 Aranui gained the dubious distinction of becoming the pilot project for the Labour Government’s state housing Community Renewal Programme initiated in 2001. It is common to read “Don’t buy or rent here” comments on websites and blogs advising prospective immigrants on where to live. One of the dispiriting moments in Aranui’s history came in September 2009 with the discovery of two bodies under the floorboards of a Hampshire Street property and the subsequent charge of double-homicide and conviction of local resident Jason Somerville for the murder of his wife Rebecca Chamberlain and neighbour Tisha Lowry.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The front of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Security fencing has been placed around the building to restrict access".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The demolition site of St John the Baptist Church on Latimer Square".
A photograph of the earthquake damage to 90 Riccarton Road, next to the One Stop Asian Supermarket. The brick wall of the building has crumbled, exposing the inside rooms.
A photograph of workers searching for survivors in the collapsed stores along Manchester Street shortly after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. An excavator can be seen helping to remove rubble from the site.
A photograph of workers searching for survivors in the collapsed stores along Manchester Street shortly after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. An excavator can be seen helping to remove rubble from the site.
A photograph of a temporary installation titled Etch-A-Sketch. The installation is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of visitors to LUXCITY in front of the large-scale installation titled Etch-A-Sketch.
A photograph of visitors to LUXCITY in front of the large-scale installation titled Etch-A-Sketch.
A photograph of visitors to LUXCITY in front of the large-scale installation titled Etch-A-Sketch.
A photograph of a temporary installation titled Etch-A-Sketch. The installation is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of architecture students and visitors at the In Your Face installation, which is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of a vacant site which is to be the location of the LUXCITY installations Tonic and Murmur.
A graphic illustrating the findings of the Royal Commission enquiry into the CTV building collapse.
A member of the Urban Search and Rescue taskforce at the site of the Canterbury Television Building on Madras Street. Behind him, emergency personnel are searching through the rubble for trapped people.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Judie Owers at her house on Courtney Street. During the Christchurch earthquake Judie was standing in the doorway with her husband when the floor gave way".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Damage to the Crichton Cobbers Youth and Community Club on Fitzgerald Avenue".
A poem written on Gap Filler and Poetica's "Instant Poetry" wall on Colombo Street. The poem reads, "With gap-tooth smiles, still she stands, with eyes still open, a lovers glance. Michelle".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. The historic MLC Building on Manchester Street is due for demolition. Manchester Courts".
A black and white historic photograph of the exterior of the Union Centre Building, T. Armstrong and Co, [ca. 1930].
A photograph of people constructing a sculpture for the Pavilions & Lighting Devices night market, which is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of people constructing a sculpture for the Pavilions & Lighting Devices night market, which is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of four architecture students working on the construction of part of the Pavilions & Lighting Devices market for LUXCITY.
A photograph of people constructing a sculpture for the Pavilions & Lighting Devices night market, which is part of LUXCITY.
New Zealand Fire Service personnel conferring on Cashel Street in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, the ruins of the Canterbury Television Building can be seen.
Emergency personnel lifting a metal beam from the ruins of the Canterbury Television Building on Madras Street during their search for trapped people. Behind them smoke is billowing from the remains of the building.
Emergency personnel lifting a metal beam from the ruins of the Canterbury Television Building on Madras Street during their search for trapped people. Behind them smoke is billowing from the remains of the building.
Emergency personnel lifting a metal beam from the ruins of the Canterbury Television Building on Madras Street during their search for trapped people. Behind them smoke is billowing from the remains of the building.
A photograph of the Butterfly fence on Ferry Road. The artwork on the fence shows many butterflies fluttering above a Māori motif.
A photograph of the Butterfly fence located on Ferry Road. The artwork on the fence shows a monarch butterfly, along with several other smaller butterflies.