Images From the Earthquake Anniversary Service

The main photo essay may be seen at Public Address's Capture photoblog post EQNZ Remembrance.

Here are further pics of various dignitaries and others as seen at the event:

Prime Minister John Key being suitably sombre.

Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews.

Labour MPs Lianne Dalziel, Megan Woods, Clayton Cosgrove, Labour leader David Shearer displaying his lovely smile, plus United Future's Peter Dunne shows a bit of his famous coiffure.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee in interview mode with TV3's Rachel Smalley.

Mayor Parker with Minister Brownlee, just days after the Minister had called him a clown.

 Low profile and mega-remunerated City Council CEO Tony Marryatt.

Bob Parker works The Smile on student volunteer army organiser Sam Johnson.

Mayoress Joanna Nichols-Parker.

Exciting the attention of the boys in . . . yellow.

Photographing the religious contingent. The Bishop is not amused.

The Bishop's minder is deployed.
See you all at next year's commemoration.

Asset-Stripping Adventures in the Food Chain

Be careful what you wish for, says Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker . . .

Brownlee Untethered

The Mayor's gone to China leaving his clueless deputy to pass the buck, the Earthquake Recovery Minister has called him a clown, and we've had three magnitude 4+ shakes in the last twelve hours. Good morning Christchurch!

PM Praises Meathead

John Key scrapes barrel, repackages charlatan CEO's abject exposure as animal cunning.

Once Upon a Time in Epsom

As any Austrian mother will probably tell you, playing with toads can give you warts.

Of course he didn't listen, because he didn't think there were any toads in Godzone.

Life Returns to the Former Red Zone

After eight months of post-quake remediation, a section of the city's red exclusion zone opens for shoppers. Temporary shops in shipping containers form a pop-up mall, relieving the raw scars of demolition.

Any misgivings about returning to the shattered city are forgotten in the gorgeous spring weather.

An estimated 10,000 take the opportunity to reclaim their lost city.

Almost like it used to be, only the $2 shops seem to be missing.
In the distance the hopelessly damaged Hotel Grand Chancellor awaits the high-rise wrecking ball.

Good to be back. Having a coffee in the city is like pinching yourself to make sure that you're not dreaming, only much more fun.

Once the city's premier riverside cafe strip, Oxford Terrace is still undergoing demolition.

Prime Minister John Key proudly displays his rugby world cup lapel badge as he mixes with the crowd after declaring the mall open. A hapless security operative grimly shields Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee from the PM's radiance.

"It's alright kids, he's just a big softy".

The Prime Minister reassures children that he has Brownlee totally under control, while the Earthquake Recovery Minister encourages a seagull to head over to one of the remaining orange zones if it wants to pull that sort of nonsense.

TV One's Charlotte Bellis and crew on the job.

Mayor and media veteran Bob Parker in his element.

It takes a real media professional to remain unmoved by the mayoral smile.

A chance for a closer look into the remaining red exclusion zone.

Even the advertising appears to mimic people's hunger for a glimpse of their city's lost heart.

Inside the nearby Tap Room things remain eerily frozen in time since the earthquake of February 22nd.

Key's Surprise RWC Treat for Christchurch

Tuesday Oct 25: Prankster PM John Key prepares to ambush ABs captain Richie McCaw and More FM's Simon Barnett at the Hagley fanzone victoryfest. His attempted repeat of the endearingly goofy three-way handshake that touched the nation's funnybone on the big night put the cherry on top of Christchurch's magic event.