The Canterbury 7.1 earthquake struck at 4:35 am local time on 4 September 2010. Damaging aftershocks followed the main event, the strongest of which was a magnitude 6.3 shock known as the Christchurch earthquake that occurred nearly six months later on 22 February 2011. Because this aftershock was centred very close to Christchurch, it was much more destructive and resulted in the deaths of 185 people.

Such was the scale of total destruction that a number of creative projects came out of the rubble focused on making places and spaces come alive with creativity and provide hope for the future for the city.

The case studies from organisations such as Gap Filler focused on a sense of community. For further information see:

https://www.creativenz.govt.nz/development-and-resources/advocacy-toolkit/case-study-gap-filler

http://www.creativespaces.net.au/case-studies

https://www.cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/GapFillerEvaluationReport.pdf