The heroism of a builder and his team in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes

It was late in the evening on 23 February, 2011, when Tim Cronin and some of his team touched down on the tarmac of Christchurch International Airport, some 30 or so hours after one of the country's most devastating natural disasters had struck the city.

Most New Zealanders remember the day before, 22 February, with painful clarity: a shallow magnitude 6.2 earthquake wrought catastrophic damage on the CBD and outer suburbs at 12:51pm, when the city was particularly abuzz with activity. 

A few hours before he got onto the plane, Tim had received a call from a friend at Christchurch's Red Cross, requesting the expertise that came from his particular skill set. When he arrived at the airport, the terminal had the atmosphere of a warzone evacuation; the expressions on the faces around him communicated more emotion than any words spoken.

It was his first personal encounter with the direct fallout from the quake, but when he and his team were picked up and taken into the city proper, he soon saw first-hand the sheer devastation in every direction. The scenes at the airport were upsetting, but that building still stood; the same could not be said for many of the houses and buildings he passed on his car ride into the city.

With two decades of experience in purchasing, building and developing properties, Tim's company, Cronin Construction, was particularly well suited to help with the immense undertaking that is Christchurch's rebuild. In the beginning, he and his team were there to assist the Red Cross.

"We were initially based in the Eastern suburbs – Bexley, New Brighton and Aranui," says Tim. "Our work began almost immediately – it started with door-to-door checks on occupants' welfare and delivery of water and essentials. Later, we were tasked with de-risking any dangerous, damaged structures, deconstructing damaged brick chimneys and other life-threatening structures, and tarping roofs."

But soon, he realised he could be doing more. It was day five, and a severe sandstorm was hampering search and rescue efforts. Amid the swirling sand limiting visibility to about 10 metres, Tim describes having a "visionary experience". "I thought, 'I can do more for these people than hand out bottled water and supplies; they need places to live.' So I decided to set up an office and secure some work."

A few weeks later, he began his construction work. He and his team began scoping out damaged homes for insurers. The team soon realised they needed a headquarters – so the company purchased a damaged home, set up an office, recruited a QS and estimators, and it wasn't long until they were repairing and building new homes.

"Given the insurance-based rebuild work and our experience base, we targeted a small sector of the market that focussed on smaller subdivisions and multi-dwelling sites," says Tim. "Once established, we began to target restoration projects and new builds within the inner-city suburbs known as the Four Avenues."

These parts of Christchurch, with their rich history and sense of community, are host to a plethora of old character homes, many of them on particularly large sites. Close to the city centre and its parks, they were highly sought after before the quake – now, many stood broken and dilapidated, or not at all.

"With the instantaneous diminished supply, the demand for these beautiful homes could only increase, so we set out to save some," Tim says. "Most were considered uneconomic to repair and sold as is where is, so we bought them for near on land value."

Once the purchase was settled and the geotechnical and structural engineering reports completed, the Cronin Construction team was able to get to work remedying the structural damage. "We cultivated close working relationships with great engineers during this time, which really helped. And with our team of designers, we could give back to the people of Christchurch some of the beautifully built homes destined to vanish.

"In this small way, we fulfilled the vision in the sandstorm."

There was a particular home that Tim and his team acquired that is the highlight in his memory. Like many in the area, the original house on Heaton Street evoked the Arts and Crafts architectural movement. The earthquake inflicted serious structural damage, but it stood proudly, testament to its sound build quality. So Tim purchased it with the goal of restoring it to its former grandeur – optimising its original character and aesthetic, but infusing it with clean minimalism. The result: a masterpiece of craftsmanship and design.

Soon after the purchase, he and his team were sharing a morning tea on the property's adjoining tennis court in the crisp winter sun. Suddenly their tranquillity was disrupted. A large digger roared to life in the neighbouring property, where an equally beautiful but damaged Arts and Crafts home stood awaiting restoration. 

"We all turned to watch this huge bucket extend over, then tear through the Welsh slate roof," says Tim. "We sat there, speechless, in stunned disbelief. Sadly, it was later replaced with a much inferior, uninspiring new house."

Following that, work began on the Heaton house in earnest. Everyone who worked on it embraced the collective vision – which included Tim's daughters, who had significant input as the design team.

"The vision was to create a fusion of minimalism, optimising the spaces and light with crisp lines to enhance and meticulously preserve all the Arts and Crafts features and detailing," he says. "We added flow throughout the home with seamless outdoor flow to the sprawling private lawns." 

While his daughters designed floor plans and bathroom layouts and selected tiles, light fittings and carpets, Tim's brother Morgan offered his own expertise, designing the kitchen and butler's pantry – the eventual 'showpiece' of the home.

After a gargantuan effort from everyone involved, the passion project was finally completed, and the house was put on the market. On the day of the first open home, Tim decided to do a last-minute water blast before prospective buyers arrived. 

Standing outside the gated entry, a middle-aged woman caught his eye. She seemed apprehensive.

"Hi, are you here for the open home?" he asked her warmly. 

"Yes," she replied, "but I'm not sure I want to go inside."

"It'll be worth it, it's beautiful," Tim said. 

She seemed conflicted. "It's just… well, I grew up in this house, and I'm not sure how I'll feel walking through it, especially after what's happened…"

Tim said, "I'm sure you'll love what we've done," and offered to accompany her through the home. Sufficiently encouraged, she wandered the rooms for about 20 minutes. 

When she came back out, she was enamoured. "Thank you so much for encouraging me to take a look," she said. "It truly is beautiful. I am so pleased I came, to think that another family can grow up here and enjoy this home like we did…. is wonderful. Thank you."

Despite the heartbreak and tragedy in the wake of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, these kinds of interactions and achievements typified Tim's experience as part of the rejuvenation effort. The remarkable resilience, 'get on with it' attitude, and indomitable will to rebuild epitomise the Cantabrian spirit.

"Many on the outside thought it crazy even to consider rebuilding the city and inner suburbs," he says. "But these people are incredible.

"I also think this event has demonstrated that life offers us all a second chance. A chance to get off the floor and do it better. To be an outsider arriving in Christchurch at a time of utter devastation, and to now revisit to see and experience a rebuilt city. 

"To have played a small part in making a difference for a few – it's an emotional response. Grateful and inspiring. Where there's a will, there's a way."

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