THE KAIKOURA EARTHQUAKE

Just after midnight on 14 November 2016, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the northeast coast of the South Island. The unprecedented event ripped across fault lines like a 160kmlong zipper and Kaikōura, located close to the epicentre, bore its brunt. Locals were shaken, quite literally, in what would seem to be the longest two minutes of their lives. The rumbling earth demolished houses and destroyed roads, tunnels and railways. Two people were killed, and aftershocks continued through the night, leaving residents with a pervasive sense of powerlessness.

But resilience runs through the heart of Kaikōura. While those two minutes will never be forgotten, the harbour and stretch of SH1 north of the township have healed considerably over the past five years. Roadworks are still dotted along the coastal road, with their workers gaining a reputation among locals and passersby for their friendliness. Residents carry their quake stories like battle scars, never forgetting the past but always moving towards a less turbulent future.