Repair work has begun in Christchurch on the 100-year-old statue of polar explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott, which was toppled in the February 2011 earthquake.
The 1917 unveiling of the Scott statue. Photo: The Weekly Press, from Canterbury Museum's Bishop Collection
First unveiled in 1917, the 2.5 tonne statue fell from its plinth in the earthquake, snapping the white marble statue at its ankles.
It was located on the corner of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace, in the central city near the banks of the Avon river.
The statue was sculpted by Captain Scott's wife, Kathleen Scott.
The Christchurch City Council set up a project team last year, who were researching techniques to repair the statue.
Ideas included importing marble from Italy to recreate parts of the statue for seismic testing.
Carbon fibre could also be used to strengthen the statue.
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said the statue was important both nationally and internationally, and its repair was eagerly awaited.
"If all goes to plan we hope to reinstate the statue in time for the opening of the Antarctic Season 2017", said Ms Dalziel.
The Antarctic season will begin in September this year.