After more than a decade of tragedy, Christchurch emerges as New Zealand's most vibrant city'

"From 2010, New Zealand's second-largest city, Christchurch, became inextricably linked with crises. The city, which had been known for its gardens, gothic architecture and monochromatic culture was rocked by a decade of tragedy devastating and fatal earthquakes, wildfires and a terrorist attack on two mosques that killed more than 50 people. But in recent years, the city of crises has taken a surprising turn shrugging off its once-conservative reputation and rebuilding from tragedy to become one of New Zealand's most appealing cities."

"Christchurch is now at the centre of the country's fastest-growing region as people from the North Island and further afield flock to the revitalised city. Business growth outpaces the national average and the cultural scene is thriving, as experts say affordability and job prospects entice people to the city. Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger claims the city is the capital of cool."

"The shift in Christchurch's desirability would have been difficult to imagine just over a decade ago. In February 2011, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, killing 185 people, disrupting tens of thousands of lives and reducing 80% of the city centre to rubble. Tens of thousands of people left the city following the quakes. In 2017, destructive fires in the Port Hills, claimed one life, razed homes and forced more than 1,000 people to evacuate."

Christchurch endured a decade of crises beginning in 2010, including the February 2011 6.3-magnitude earthquake that killed 185 people, destroyed 80% of the city centre and prompted tens of thousands to leave. Subsequent disasters included 2017 Port Hills fires that killed one, razed homes and forced evacuations, and the 2019 white supremacist attack on two mosques that murdered more than 50 worshipers. Since then, Christchurch has rebuilt, shedding a conservative image and attracting migrants from the North Island and beyond. The region now grows faster than the national average, with business growth, a thriving cultural scene, affordability and job opportunities boosting desirability and quality of life.

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