New Regent street is one of the focal points of the recovering inner city. It’s busy with tourists but also locals taking a stroll. John is walking with his brother and his nephew among the little shops, cafés, wooden benches and flower stands. “I live in Wellington, I’m an artist as well. I paint and a play the bass in serbian rock band. I’m here to visit the family in the holidays. I usually come once a year but I haven’t been since the earthquakes. They did an amazing job with the re-build, it looks fantastic.”