21 Feb 2017

A new memorial to those who lost their lives in the February 22, 2011 earthquake lets the world know they will not be forgotten.

That’s the view of American Steve Conley, whose daughter Rachel Conley, 27, was killed in the quake. “To me, this memorial will symbolise empathy - from your country as a whole, and from individuals - to let the world know that all those lost will not be forgotten,” he says.

Rachel was a tourist who was due to fly home from a lengthy world trip - including spending about a year working in Wellington - the day after the disaster hit. She was killed when a Colombo Street building collapsed in the magnitude-6.3 shake. 

Rachel Conley soon after her arrival in Wellington in 2010.

Rachel Conley soon after her arrival in Wellington in 2010.

She and a friend had just made an appointment to get a tattoo at Southern Ink later that day and were leaving the shop at the time.

She was the only American killed in the disaster.

Mr Conley, who lives in Germantown, Ohio, says the last six years since the loss of his daughter have been “soul crushing”. However, the response from the New Zealand Government and others who he had dealt with in the aftermath of the disaster had been overwhelming.

“I feel as though I have been involved in the entire process - at least as much as one can from halfway around the world.”

He is retired and it wasn’t possible for him to attend the dedication ceremony for the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, A Place to Remember, in Christchurch this week.

But, he hopes to visit sometime in the future. The memorial, designed by Slovenian architect Grega Vezjak spanning the Avon River between Montreal and Durham Streets, provides a quiet space for people to reflect on the events of February 22nd.

Mr Vezjak worked closely with bereaved families, and some of those of who were seriously injured, to develop his design.

Mr Conley says his daughter, who studied drama in New York City, had turned 27 four days before the earthquake and was in the prime of her life.

"She had an infectious personality that knew no strangers. She instinctively knew how to bring out the positives in everyone she met and everywhere she travelled. She made the best out of whatever situation she might be experiencing. She made others feel good about themselves. Rachel and your country seemed made for each other.”

He says his only solace was that Rachel died doing what she wanted to do. “I guess that we can’t ask for much more. But God – I miss her.”

Rachel's mother Deb Conley and her sister Laura are in Christchurch for the National Dedication ceremony for the new memorial which was held at midday on Wednesday in a joint public event with the annual Civic Memorial Ceremony.

Visit Canterbury Earthquake Memorial for more information.