Stonemasons have been working to restore two quake-damaged war memorials in Canterbury's Hurunui District, in time for Anzac Day commemorations.
Quentin Cassidy said stonemasons went to great lengths to ensure heritage structures were restored to their original form. Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry
November's 7.8 magnitude quake badly battered the cenotaphs in Spotswood and Waiau - which both required strengthening and repair work.
Stonemason Quentin Cassidy said the force of the quake had rocked a 700 kilogram ball-shaped stone off the top of the Waiau cenotaph and rolled it 15 metres away.
"All the painting was pretty badly damaged, the memorial plaque fell on the ground, cracked and broke, so it was not in a good condition."
Stonemasons went to great lengths to ensure heritage structures were restored to their original form, Mr Cassidy said.
That included going to the quarry the damaged stone was originally from, to find replacements from the same "stone family."
"[The] stone, it weathers over the years... and even putting a stone in the same family would still look like quite a different colour. You need to get it 99 percent right when you're doing heritage restoration."
The Spotswood cenotaph was damaged in November's earthquake. Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry
The $29,000 repair work is being paid for with a grant which the Hurunui Council applied for from the Lottery earthquake relief fund.
About 60 people are expected to attend a service at the repaired Waiau war memorial tomorrow morning. Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry
Waiau Citizen Association chair Sue Galletly said getting the repairs done in time for Anzac Day was a morale booster for the quake-hit community.
"It will be good just to get together and see that something has been fixed and come up here and remember those men who gave their lives for New Zealand.
"It's a special place and of important historical significance to Waiau," she said.
Angus and Sue Galletly. Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry
Sue's husband, Angus Galletly, said his father, Sandy, served in World War II and was held as a prisoner of war after he and 2000 other New Zealand soldiers were captured in the Battle for Crete.
"He was away for just under six years and he served just over four years as a prisoner of war."
Mr Galletly said Anzac Day was a significant day, and he was proud of his father's service to New Zealand.
About 60 people are expected to attend a service at the repaired Waiau war memorial tomorrow morning.