Circumnavigating New Zealand — Christchurch and the Cardboard Cathedral

We returned to Akaroa on 9 March 2020, this time aboard Radiance of the Seas. But we wouldn’t be in town long. Definitely not long enough to hit Murphy’s on the Corner for those fantastic fish and chips, unfortunately:

But that’s okay. We’ll hit Murphy’s again next time. Instead today we’re headed by tour bus to Christchurch. Today we’ll be spending much of our time visiting the Cardboard Cathedral (more on that in a moment), but before we do here is the archway on the Bridge of Remembrance commemorating those who lost their lives during World War I:

Now it’s off to see a rather unique sight — the Cardboard Cathedral (image at the top of today’s article). The official name of this building is the Transitional Cathedral, as it is a temporary structure serving as the Anglican Cathedral for the diocese of Christchurch.

Why a temporary “pro-cathedral“? Because the beautiful ChristChurch Cathedral completed in 1904 was severely damaged in the horrific 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

The Cardboard Cathedral rises 69 feet/21 meters. The walls are nothing more than intermodal shipping containers. The roof is comprised of polycarbonate thermoplastic. But it’s the structural supports that give this structure it’s “cardboard” designation. These immense tubes, which you can see forming the apex of the roof in the photo above consist of 24-inch/61cm cardboard tubes encasing laminated wood.

But, it’s getting drizzly, and lunchtime draws near. So, let’s head on over to the Riverside Market and take a look around at the offerings: