Victims of Christchurch earthquake remembered at 14th anniversary

Sunday, 23 February 2025

Families, firefighters and politicians came together on Saturday at the Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial to remember the 185 people who lost their lives in the disaster.

Cantabrians came together on Saturday to remember the 185 lives lost in the 2011 earthquake, marking 14 years since the tragedy.

At Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, families, survivors, and politicians stood in quiet reflection on the banks of the Ōtākaro Avon River.

Each victim’s name was read aloud at the ceremony.

Fay Salton pays tribute to a Japanese student, Megumi Horita, who was boarding with her. Her parents couldn't make it over this year so she went in their place.

One by one, each victim’s name was read aloud, with the toll of the HMNZS Canterbury bell echoing through the air.

Mayor Phil Mauger laid a wreath at the Memorial Wall, followed by members of the public placing flowers and casting them into the river.

Among those in attendance was Fay Salton, paying tribute to Megumi Horita, a Japanese student who had been boarding with her when the quake struck. Megumi’s parents were unable to travel this year, so Salton stood in their place.

Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial. People listen as the 185 names are read.

At 12.51 pm — the exact moment the 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit - the city paused for a minute of silence.

People listen as the names of the 185 victims are read.

Families, survivors, and politicians stood in quiet reflection on the banks of the Ōtākaro Avon River.

Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial.

People laid wreaths at the memorial and cast flowers into the Avon River to mark the anniversary.

A replica of the ship’s bell from the HMNZS Canterbury was struck as each name was read aloud.

Mayor Phil Mauger laid a wreath at the Memorial Wall, followed by members of the public who placed flowers and cast them into the river.

Beyond the official service, the city found other ways to remember. Cyclists joined the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Ride, retracing the paths of destruction and resilience.

The 1.5-hour ride led participants from the estuary to Sumner, past significant sites impacted by the 2011 earthquake, and concluded at the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial.

The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, unveiled in 2017 and designed by Slovenian architect Grega Vezjak, remains a powerful symbol of loss and resilience.

Its 111-meter-long wall, inscribed with the names of those who perished, continues to be a place where people come to grieve, reflect, and remember.