The creator of a photo exhibition on one of Christchurch's red-zoned suburbs hopes the show will go on tour as a reminder to the country of what the residents have been through.
The Thx 4 the Memories exhibition, now on show in central Christchurch, shows the changing face of the suburb of Avonside in the past two years as the area was declared uninhabitable and houses started to be demolished.
The exhibition shows the transformation of Avonside. Photo: RNZ
Photographer Tim Veling has been documenting the area, along with another photographer and an oral historian.
The photographs include portraits of members of the community and their broken homes and neighbourhood, but also images of messages people have scrawled across walls and doors as they left their homes for good.
Some are messages of anger to insurance companies and the government, but Mr Veling says others are just a reminder of the happy times spent at the house.
He says the title of the exhibition comes from one of the messages.
Mr Veling says he wanted to give a voice to the residents who have often felt powerless.
Former Avonside resident Jackie Lillburn says she hopes the exhibition will ensure that the suburb is not forgotten.
The exhibition is on show on Worcester Boulevard until 22 September.
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