As someone from Christchurch, this is my cue.

I spent six months back there over summer. Sure, things have changed. The CBD is mostly closed off - although that's slowly improving as buildings are demolished and removed.

However, life goes on. Businesses have relocated to other commercial zones. Schools share and build new blocks. Bars open up in the surburbs.

As a tourist, much of the appeal of Christchurch is the outdoors. Yes, the famous Christchurch Cathedral is coming down, and the Arts Center market is no long accessible. But the museum is. The Botanical Gardens are as beautiful as ever. Many pubs and bars are open, and while the number of motel/hostel/hotel rooms are fewer, so are the tourists - just book ahead. The International Antarctic Center is open (I went over the summer) and is incredible and eye opening. Orana Wildlife Park and Willowbank have the Kiwi bird for you to see the national icon. Rugby is happening again in Christchurch with an All Blacks test just last week against the Irish. The beaches are open and the golf courses are calling your name.

Outside of Christchurch there are also plenty of day trips - from Hanmer Springs thermal resort, to the small French town of Akaroa, to the mountains if you're planning on skiing at Mount Hutt or Porters Heights.

As far as getting around the city goes, the buses are running, taxis are certainly still going everywhere, and aside from the very center, and some of the harder-hit eastern suburbs, from a tourist point of view it's still very accessible.

If you have any follow-up questions, please feel free to ask.