Beyond the Cordon

The 22 February 2011 Canterbury earthquake triggered the largest emergency response operation ever seen in New Zealand.

The task of visually documenting the rescue and victim recovery operation in the weeks following the earthquake fell to New Zealand Police photographers. The 23 photographers, the only photographers with long-term access to the central city throughout the following weeks, took every opportunity to record what they saw, including aspects of the operation that would rarely be documented.

The photographers faced hostile conditions: smouldering rubble burnt through their boots, shards of concrete went flying as diggers cleared sites, and there was always the threat of aftershocks as they perched precariously on collapsed buildings.

This exhibition features remarkable imagery of devastation, rescue and recovery following the earthquake in Christchurch and records an integral part of the recovery operation… often not seen by the public.

Developed and toured by Canterbury Museum.
Proudly supported by: Heretaunga Rotary