Shaken up:

A North Canterbury family are making the best of life after the Kaikoura earthquake.

When a cliff and lake appeared on the Kelly family’s North Canterbury farm after the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, they decided to make the best of the situation, as Melenie Parkes finds on Country Calendar.

The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake wreaked havoc on Rebekah and Dave Kelly’s property, Woodchester Station, in North Canterbury and three years later they are still dealing with the fallout.

“Just the carnage on the property was unbelievable,” says Rebekah, adding that they lost tracks, roading and their water tanks exploded.

“It probably was the most terrifying physical event that I’ve ever experienced. We were in bed and sort of woke to find furniture flying across the room at us.

“Once things had stopped rattling and shaking around and we were able to pause, we could hear another rumbling noise and we didn’t know what it was at the time.”

That mysterious rumbling was the result of a sheer cliff face that erupted out of the Earth, creating a dramatic, natural rampart that is now known as the Wall Of Waiau.

While the earthquake has created many challenges and unforeseen financial strain, it’s also presented opportunities for the family. The wall, which runs along a fault line, has become something of a tourist attraction. And while the modest entrance fee isn’t likely to mitigate the cost of the Kellys’ considerable repairs anytime soon, the family choose to find the “silver lining” in their situation.

“It’s not a full sort of business that we’re looking to run but just a way to show people what it is that we’ve got here,” says Rebekah.

Visiting tour groups can see the Kellys’ fascinating new geological features, including “the lake that turned up after the earthquake”. Their new backyard pool is so large that the family are able to jet ski across it. “The kids have had lots and lots of fun over the summer.”

The property has been in Rebekah’s family for generations.

She says there was a time after the quake when they considered moving but, ultimately, “the place that we live is for me, it’s my turangawaewae ...

“It’s taken all of the last three years to repair water and tracks and farm infrastructure and we haven’t even begun on our houses yet but it’s still been worth staying here. It’s still been the right decision.”