Lifting the cordon in Christchurch

The New Zealand Defence Force's Red Zone Cordon in Christchurch was officially lifted at a Civic Ceremony in Christchurch. The operation was the biggest humanitarian assistance mission ever undertaken by the NZDF within New Zealand soil. At the height of the response nearly 1800 NZ Defence Force personnel -- Regular, Reserve and civilian, and from all three Services -- were directly involved on the ground, with more personnel providing support from camps and bases.