When a horrible earthquake struck beautiful Christchurch on February 22, 2011, the city didn’t cower in fear. Instead it used the devastating event as an opportunity resurrect itself and to reinvent the central part of the city.

 

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Reconstruction on The Arts Centre of Christchurch Continues Six Years After New Zealand’s Powerful Magnitude 6.3 Quake Struck the City

 

Over the past few months quakes and their powerful aftershocks continue to rock New Zealand’s South Island. Today more than half of The Arts Centre of Christchurch has been restored, but there’s still a tremendous amount of rebuilding to be done. You can find a list of what’s open and contribute to The Arts Centre’s restoration efforts here.

 

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I Feel So Alive – Artist Hannah Kidd‘s “Noel Peterson” Sculpture From Her 2015 Series “Avonside Drive.” Commissioned by SCAPE Public Art and on Display at Christchurch’s Re:Start Container Mall.

 

Re:START is one of the incredible phoenixes that emerged in Christchurch since the quake. The Re:Start shipping container mall breathes new life into a resilient city that clearly had no interest in shutting down even after it saw many of its architectural wonders crumble. The colorful and eclectic shopping destination is home to an incredible array of shops including HAPA.

 

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There’s Nothing Dainty About the Strength of Christchurch’s Incredible Local Art and Design Scene

 

HAPA is a super cute shop filled with a curated collection of local art, design, jewelry and craft items from around New Zealand.

 

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A Dream Come True – Christchurch’s HAPA is Filled with Adorable Gifts and Souvenirs From Across New Zealand

 

HAPA’s motto is, “Love the Extraordinary,” and it’s hard not to fall in lust with all cuteness contained inside its tiny well organized shop.

 

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No Pain, All Gain – Cute Cactus Candles at HAPA in Christchurch

 

In addition to fun tchotchkes (I flipped over their coy container boxes by DOIY Design out of Barcelona), you’ll also find lovely reasonably priced jewelry from Kiwi designers like Ash Hilton and Mondays Child.

 

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For Keeps – HAPA in Christchurch Might Have Your New Favorite Bauble

 

Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect pair of Lego earrings…

 

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Everything is Awesome! It’s Better to Have Legos on Your Ears Than Legos Stuck to Your Feet

 

…or just hunting for a neat souvenir, with items on display from more than 200 local artists, designers and creatives, HAPA is the happening place for all things quirky and Kiwiana.

 

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HAPA Re:Start in Christchurch, New Zealand

 

HAPA Re:Start
96 Oxford Terrace
Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
*Another HAPA Store Can be Found at The Tannery in Christchurch
Hours: Monday Through Friday 10:00am to 5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm
Phone: +64 33729335
Email: hello@hapa.co.nz