News release

From: Stacy Vallis, Director Postgraduate & Doctoral Studies, AUT, and author of this study:

“Cultural heritage sites across the world continue to face growing threats from natural hazards, climate change, and conflict. Fifteen years after the Canterbury earthquake sequence, the damaged Christ Church Cathedral remains a strong reminder of this disaster, while the city continues to grow around this site.

"Since the nineteenth century, the Cathedral has had a history of damage from earthquakes and has undertaken a series of repairs, each featuring competing technical requirements, heritage value considerations, challenging financial constraints, and conflicting public perceptions.

"As New Zealanders contemplate national priorities, the current rebuild raises important questions about how we manage our cultural heritage, and what authenticity means for communities today and future generations. We explore these tensions and highlight a growing acceptance of change where authenticity is concerned.”