A new volume documenting Christchurch’s post earthquake transformation has offered a powerful reflection on loss, recovery, and renewal, with author Deb Donnell saying the project continues to evoke mixed emotions.

Donnell’s latest release, the fourth in her before and after series, captures how parts of the city have changed since the earthquakes, presenting side by side images of familiar locations once defined by heritage buildings and now reshaped by modern development.

Speaking with Chris Lynch, Donnell said the idea for the series began after she was approached by a local bookshop following the release of an earlier project focused on emergency responders.

“I was asked by a bookshop to do it,” Donnell said. “They said no one’s doing anything on Christchurch showing it before and how it looks now. So I thought well okay I will take the investment take the punt and do the book.”

Donnell said the first volume was well received, prompting the series to continue as the city’s rebuild gathered momentum.

The author said revisiting locations featured in the book often stirred personal memories, particularly in the former Triangle Centre area where her parents once ran a jewellery store.

“My parents owned a jewellery shop in the Triangle Centre from 1975 so every time I go there it’s like well that’s our corner but it’s not like our corner anymore,” Donnell said. “It’s the ANZ Centre now and I think it’s a shoe shop where we were.”

Donnell said seeing modern replacements for historic buildings could be bittersweet, recalling her reaction to new construction on the site of the former Fisher building.

“It was mixed emotions because you know how beautiful the old Fisher building was and this one’s very modern and nothing like it,” Donnell said. “It’s good to see finally there’s something in that spot but I do miss that old lovely architecture that we had.”

Despite the sense of loss, Donnell said the city’s progress remained encouraging, pointing to the scale of rebuilding underway after the earthquakes destroyed much of Christchurch’s building stock.

“We lost 80% of our building stock but we’re getting it back,” Donnell said. “We’re getting new vibrant things back in the city and that’s what we need to focus on, the positivity and the new life.”

Among the highlights of the series, Donnell identified the Arts Centre as a standout example of restoration and renewal.

“The Arts Centre is probably a really key focal point because of how much work and how far it’s come,” Donnell said.

She also acknowledged ongoing work on Christchurch Cathedral, saying while opinions remained divided, the restoration represented significant progress.

“We’ve got to remember when the cathedral was first built it took about 30 years,” Donnell said. “If it takes us 20 or 30 years to repair it well so be it. Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long but we’re kind of halfway through that milestone.”

Donnell said the book serves as both a visual record and a reminder of how the city continues to evolve 15 years after the earthquakes, capturing locations including the Isaac Theatre Royal, New Regent Street, the Bridge of Remembrance and the Arts Centre.

The latest volume is available at several Christchurch retailers including Scorpio Books, Piccadilly Books, Paper Plus Ferrymead, Quake City and the Transitional Cathedral gift shop.