NZ PM pledges to rebuild city two years after quake

WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key marked the second anniversary of the earthquake that killed 185 people in Christchurch by pledging the country's second city will be rebuilt as “one of the best and most livable cities in the world.”

“Out of these broken streets, which have been likened to a war zone, a new Christchurch will emerge,” Key said in a speech at a ceremony on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The magnitude- 6.3 quake in 2011 severely damaged Christchurch and surrounding Canterbury region.

“The magnitude of the destruction means it will take some time for the region to fully rebuild and recover. This year will see the rebuilding of the central city going full steam ahead as we move from demolition to construction,” Key said.

This year, the government expects to clear the site and make decisions to begin construction of the convention centre precinct, one of the key anchor projects for rebuilding the central business district.

The government will also invest 1 billion NZ dollars ( US$ 834.72 million) in restoring schools and the education sector over the next 10 years.

In April, the new Christchurch Airport terminal will officially open after an overhaul costing NZ$ 237 million ( US$ 198.53 million).

Canterbury has been hit by more than 11,000 earthquakes and aftershocks since a 7.1-magnitude quake struck on September 2010. — Bernama