Supt Corrie Parnell, now the District Commander in Wellington for New Zealand Police, provides his very personal reflections on the police response to the major earthquake that occurred in Christchurch on Tuesday 22 February 2011 at 12:51 p.m. local time.

The earthquake struck the Canterbury region in the South Island, and was centred just south-east of the city’ central business district. It caused widespread damage across Christchurch, killing 185 people, including one member of police staff known personally to Supt Parnell.