At 12:51 PM on February 22nd, the earth roared and the entire South Island of New Zealand rumbled.
I was sitting at my desk in Queenstown – some 500 kms away from the Garden City of Christchurch – and as I looked out on our balcony overlooking The Remarkabes, I saw my mountain bike shake back and forth and the floor beneath my feet rolled as if I was riding the historic TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu.
The 6.3 earthquake that struck a mere 5 kms beneath the surface was felt as far away as Wellington on the North Island.
The effects of the quake will be felt in Christchurch for years to come – there was massive loss of life, property, and heritage in the South Island’s largest town.
The Garden City will never be the same again and the events of February 22nd will go down in the history books as one of New Zealand’s saddest days.
Through all of this, it’s crucial to realize that New Zealand is still very much open for business.
The economy has surely taken a huge blow, yet New Zealand will continue to prosper and continued high tourism numbers will be key to a successful recovery.
Here are: 5 Reasons Why You Should Still Visit the Most Beautiful Country in the World
1) The Damage is Extremely Centralized
The images that have been broadcasted by the mainstream media throughout New Zealand and the world show a Christchurch that has been devastated. Without a doubt, this is true – estimates are as high as $15 Billion to rebuild the city.
While the City Centre will sadly never look the same and the Eastern suburbs are severely damaged, much of Christchurch remains essentially unaffected. I was driving into the city a week after the quake and it was very much normal days until just blocks before the City Centre.
The damaged area of New Zealand is equivalent in size the area of Lower Manhattan.
The Garden City probably won’t be open to the general tourist for some time, but it’s crucial to realize the small area affected when considering the rest of New Zealand that is begging to be explored.
2) The Christchurch Airport is Open and Fully Operational
One of the most popular New Zealand itineraries begins in Auckland and ends in Christchurch. For those that are just traveling the South Island, about 90% arrive and depart from Christchurch.
Clearly, the Garden City is a crucial entry and exit point for the traveler to New Zealand.
While you probably won’t spend much time in the city itself, it’s worth noting that the Christchurch airport is fully operational and getting in and out of the South Island is just as easy as it ever has been.
3) Canterbury Needs You
New Zealand needs you almost as much as Canterbury needs you. You shouldn’t wipe New Zealand from your travel plans and you most certainly should spend time in the stunning Canterbury Region.
Canterbury offers everything from glacial lakes, to seaside villages like Akaroa, to natural thermal pools and hot springs in Hanmer Springs.
The cultured can sip world-class wine, the adrenaline junkies can bungy jump in Hanmer Springs or experience epic mountain biking on the St James Cycle Trail, and trampers can take in the alpine glacial lakes at the base of Aoraki Mt Cook.
Don’t skip Canterbury. Why? The businesses here need you and you’ll miss out on some truly unique New Zealand experiences.
4) Experience the Genuine, Open, and Laid Back Kiwi Spirit
Nowhere else in the world does the laid back, no worries outlook on life permeate all aspects of society like it does in New Zealand. It’s an addictive aspect of this country and New Zealanders themselves are reason enough you should still visit Aotearoa.
Canterburians had spent the past six months rebuilding their city after the September 4th earthquake that badly damaged Christchurch.
The February 22nd quake has essentially made all that work for naught, yet again volunteers from throughout New Zealand have flooded the city ready to help. Money, food, and other support has come to Christchurch from all over New Zealand – from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
Kiwis are as welcoming as they are relaxed.
You should travel to New Zealand to experience this ‘no worries’ culture, while at the same time doing your part to ensure the whole of New Zealand recovers from the devastating quake.
5) New Zealand is a Microcosm of the World
New Zealand is quite simply one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world (Not convinced? Check out 20 of New Zealand’s Most Best Views).
In an area the size of the state of Colorado, you have snow-capped mountains, arid deserts, tropical islands, dense rain forests, white-sand beaches and intensely green countryside.
You should still travel to New Zealand as there is so much to be seen outside of Christchurch. A typical trip to New Zealand would typically entail two or three days in the Garden City, so don’t miss out on the trip of a lifetime simply because one city is out of commission.
What’s your take? Have you traveled New Zealand? Leave your best experiences from Aotearoa in the comments section below.
Backpacking Matt 
I spent two weeks in NZ last December and there was just so much to see I think you really need to be there for a whole month to give it justice!
@Kenan You could realistically commit a month to each island!
Great post Matt,
We will be spending a whole year in New Zealand. Actually walking from Cape Reigna to Bluff during that time.
The news and media coverage of the devastation caused by this earthquake did not make us feel unsafe or want to change or plans. We actually wished to be there now to help out however we could.
I hope other tourists/backpackers decide to keep New Zealand included in their travel plans.
@Jamie Walking?! Now that’s ambitious! I’d suggest biking. 🙂 Good luck – feel free to send any NZ questions my way and do get in touch when you’re passing through Queenstown.
No argument here. What happen is really sad, but it didn’t make me hesitating not a second to visit New Zealand again.
@Juno I knew you’d agree and jump at any opportunity to get back to NZ! Hope you’re staying warm up North!
Couldn’t agree more, mate – with homes and businesses destroyed and tourism numbers guaranteed to take a significant hit, Christchurch, Canterbury and indeed the entire country need travellers to visit now more than ever. There’s a lot of people who face a very uncertain financial future in the aftermath of the quake and with tourism being such a big part of the local economy it’s absolutely vital that people keep flowing into the country. With the exchange rate significantly down as well against most major countries, there’s literally never been a better – or more important – time to go.
@Dave Thanks heaps for the comment – very well said.
Couldn’t agree more, NZ is very much open for tourists. Great shout on Akaroa – beautiful town.
Great post! NZ is beautiful and I can’t wait to go back, earthquake or no.
Great post, Matt – a message that definitely needs to get out! On one of our last days in the country we overheard a couple of tour operators talking about things slowing down and people outside of NZ thinking that Christchurch events affect the entire country. Knowing that tourism is one of the top industries in NZ, that is a bad misconception. People should definitely still go check out the country and you’ve given the best reasons why here.
@Andrea Hopefully things don’t slow down — really excited to see the results of this #blog4NZ campaign.
Well, you know how I feel about New Zealand, Matt! No earthquake would ever keep me away! In fact, seeing all the news coverage just made me wish I could be there right now to help out in some way.
I agree that NZ needs us travelers now more than ever!
Absolutely agree. I haven’t heard about anyone completely changing their travel plans because of this one event and hopefully everything will keep on ticking.
If anything, AirNZ should sell some cheap airfares like they did at this time last year to boast tourism! People will still snap them up in an instant!
@Rebecca It will be interesting to see how Air New Zealand gets involved in the #blog4nz campaign … I suspect some cheap fares will come up in the coming months.
I and a few others are organising a week long Blog4NZ starting around March 21st. Major tourism entities involved.
Start thinking now about getting involved by writing about NZ in a positive manner. If you have been, or want to visit our beautiful country, write about it. We hope to have TourismNZ open it’s photo galleries online for you to download photos to use in your posts if you need them.
Plus, other writers may be able to guest post on your site. A facebook page or webpage will be up shortly for all info, or to register to be involved.
Thanks.
Jim
@Jim & @John Thanks for plugging #blog4NZ – looking forward to 72 hours of New Zealand flooded airwaves!
Great work Matt. Thanks for this. Can I add that all your readers can help by visiting http://blog4nz.indietravelmedia.com/welcome/ or join our FB group at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blog4NZ-Blog-for-New-Zealand/199103693442814
I just returned from a trip to New Zealand. I spent most of February there and had the time of my life. I’m still astounded by all that I saw in just a matter of a few weeks and I loved it so much that I’m looking into going back on a working holiday visa. Less than a month wasn’t nearly enough for me! Only enough to whet my appetite. There are so many reasons why NZ steals many a travelers heart. It would be a shame if tourism declined because if the earthquake. Loved this post, thanks for spreading the word that it’s still a perfectly safe place to go.
@Jess Glad you loved NZ. Good luck planning your working holiday – just be careful, you may never leave if you come back!
I would love to go back to New Zealand, it’s a beautiful country and I hope it recovers soon.
Coming to Canterbury in March for a precious week’s leave. We did consider changing our plans when the quake happened but common sense has since kicked in. I am really, really, really looking forward to seeing the South Island for the first time, just wish it could be for a month or three.
@Sophie You’ll love the South Island .. or should I say, the Main Island! Safe travels!
I have travelled to the northern island before, but would love to do the south as well. I had the best time playing rugby on the beach with the Kiwis and then seeing the Bay of Islands the next day! It was also the first place I went skydiving! I love NZ!
It sounds wonderful! It’s sad that the post-earthquake coverage has turned people off to traveling there. Once the cleanup started, I’m sure it was right back to being a country worth visiting. Thanks for the advice!
It’s not high on my list, due to financial reasons but it’s definitely on the list! Seems like paradise. Bad crack about ChristChurch, my thoughts are with them right now.
One of my favorite memories is from the Hot Water Beach in Coromandel – simply awesome!
@Sofia Ugh! While I still haven’t visited Hot Water Beach, I’ve sat in a fair few thermal pools (and subsequently ruined a fair few pairs of swim trunks!).
It’s so sad how so much tragic events have taken place in Oceania this year and it’s only March! It’s a beautiful continent and hands down one of my favourites!
Earthquakes shakes New Zealand every day and probably most people are traveling there knows about it. So there is no reason to postpone your trip there, except may be you should skip Christchurch city center, as you won’t see much there anyway.
p.s. joined #blog4NZ too.
NZ’s relatively high $ was already affecting tourism before the quake – but yes I do feel sorry for tourism operators. I was living in Perth at the time of the Victorian bush fires and I had American friends concerned for my safety – the same thing this time because I was in Wellington – still over 350km away! There are some cheap deals to NZ in the mid-year into Christchurch with Air Asia – and there will be nothing wrong with the ski fields in August!