Watch: Tears flow as sculpture for those killed in Kaikoura quake unveiled at new marina on anniversary of 7.8 earthquake

November 14, 2017
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A sculpture has been unveiled at the restored and improved marina in Kaikoura representing the two victims of last year's 7.8 quake, as well as the upheaval of the land.

Two prongs of the sculpture represent Jo-Anne Mackinnon and Albert Louis Edgar, while the third represents upheaval in the land.

About 200 people this morning attended a dawn ceremony and blessing at the South Bay Marina, which was made almost unusable after parts of the harbour rose up to 2m in the quake one year ago today.

The government contributed $5.7m to the restoration of the vital wharf - which is crucial for the tourism and seafood industries - while Whale Watch, Dolphin Encounter and the Kaikoura District Council contributed a combined $1m.

The sculpture was unveiled at the wharf paying respect to the two people who died during the violent earthquake - Jo-Anne Mackinnon, 55, and Albert Louis Edgar, 75 - and a kaumatua from Ngati Kuri paid formal respects on behalf of the people.

Leila MacKinnon, Jo-Anne's mum, watched on and laid flowers at the sculpture.

"She was my only daughter, I can't believe I lost her ... but she would love to be remembered in this way," Ms MacKinnon said.

The sculpture is made from whale bones which were unearthed during the earthquake.

The town was left badly battered by the quake which destroyed the main railway line through the region.

The improved marina will allow the town's crucial industries to resume as the tourism peak season approaches.

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