The Central City of Christchurch was severely affected by the magnitude 6.3 earthquake of 22 February 2011 which was, strictly speaking, an aftershock of an earlier earthquake (magnitude 7.1, 4 September 2010). 185 casualties were reported in total. Like many other buildings, the ChristChurch Cathedral was severely damaged. There have been debates whether to repair or to demolish it. None of the two options had been realized until February 2026.