Authenticity and Change: A Framework for Examining Post-Earthquake Outcomes for the Christchurch Cathedral in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

The Canterbury earthquake sequence (2010–2011) resulted in damage to historic unreinforced masonry cathedral and church precincts in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, where significant schemes of post-earthquake remediation have taken place. Public and church communities, government authorities, and conservation experts constitute decision-making stakeholders who are often, but not always, collectively motivated to retain historic architectural characteristics and religious traditions. International theories for conserving authenticity offer specialist guidance; however, there is a critical gap between institutional discourse and actual heritage outcomes shaped by the local decision-making. Using archival materials, local history records, and conservation planning documentation, we explore the construction of the city’s Anglican cathedral, known as Christ Church Cathedral, and post-earthquake proposals and interventions from the 19th century to the present day. The novelty of this study lies in investigating tensions between heritage values, material conservation, community engagement, and financial constraints, as demonstrated by the production of post-earthquake design responses, ranging from ruination and preservation through to reconstruction and complete redesign, presented using a thematic assessment framework. Analysing the site’s history of construction and conservation reveals a multidimensional authenticity, evolving from a focus on retaining materiality to a greater acceptance of change to heritage sites, consistent with global and local trends.