Cathedral spire and NZ flag

Christchurch Cathedral earthquake ruins, with the NZ flag flying bravely above them.

Recently people have been allowed, in a very controlled way to go for a walk into Cathedral Square which was the centre of Christchurch before the February quakes.

There is a lot of safety information and you have to realise that there is a small but very real risk of another quake at any time which could put lives in danger. You have to carry identification on yourself, not in a handbag, in case you are killed or badly injured and need to be identified.

That said over 10, 000 people have done the walk in the time it's been possible.

It's sad seeing the wreckage of the cathedral, but amazing that no one was killed in or by the building.

And what possibilities it opens up - to build something New Zealand, something iconic, not a copy of something from the other side of the world. (Not everyone thinks like I do and some want it restored). I hope I live long enough to see a new building rise from the wreckage.