185 people died as a result of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck the Canterbury region on 22 February, 2011. Christchurch, the country’s second largest city, suffered widespread damage, particularly in the central city and eastern suburbs. The eastern suburbs also suffered significant liquefaction.

The quake, which was centred 2 kilometres east of Lyttelton and 10 kilometres south-east of central Christchurch, followed a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on 4 September 2010. No one died as a result of the September 2010 earthquake, but parts of the city and surrounding area suffered significant damage.

Thousands of aftershocks followed the 22 February 2011 quake, some large enough to cause additional damage.

In April 2013, the rebuilding cost of Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region was estimated at $40 billion.