RESTORING THE SOUL

“When you lose your home, it’s incredibly traumatic.” These are the words of Evan Smith, Christchurch resident and spokesperson for the Avon-Ōtākaro Network (AvON), who along with over 5000 other homeowners was forced to abandon his home in the residential ‘red zone’ following the 2010/11 earthquakes. This 11km stretch of vacant land ribbons its way from the central business district of Christchurch, along the banks of the Ōtākaro/Avon River, to the sea.

Understandably, the residents feel a very close connection to this land and this river. The Council-led ‘Share an Idea’ initiative in 2011 led to thousands of entries with a clear consensus for a natural restoration project (among many other city-wide projects). A regeneration planning process for the Ōtākaro/Avon River Corridor was undertaken by Regenerate Christchurch in 2017/18. The thrust of this