All leaders are faced with crisis, complexity and uncertainty at some time.
The unprecedented challenges of the Canterbury Earthquakes required leaders to give every ounce of skill, experience, knowledge, humanity and resilience to help the people of greater Christchurch the best they could.
Ten years on from the end of Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), a group of senior leaders are sharing what they learned about leading through crisis, complexity, and uncertainty. All now with the benefit of time and perspective.
These insights aren't theoretical. They're hard-won, ground-tested lessons for any leaders dealing with complex, high-pressure situations.
We hope by sharing these lessons, others will add and share their own. Creating more tools and support for leaders dealing with crisis and pressure in any situation.
The Conversations
Senior CERA leaders reflect on what they learned about leading through crisis - with the candour that only comes with time and distance.
Full conversation - Leading through crisis, complexity, and uncertainty
Leading Through Context
Leading Through Relationships
Leading Through People
Strategy & Resilience
Practical Guides
Downloadable guides drawn from the conversations. Each covers what the leaders did, tried, and learned - and what they'd suggest to others.
About This Project
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) was established in 2011 to lead the recovery of greater Christchurch following the devastating earthquake sequence of 2010–2011. CERA was disestablished in 2016.
In 2026, a group of senior CERA leaders came together to reflect on their experience - not to tell the official history, but to share the practical, human realities of leading through an unprecedented crisis.
This project captures those reflections as a resource for current and future leaders in emergency management, public sector leadership, and any field where people must lead through complexity and uncertainty.
We hope by sharing these lessons, others will add and share their own.
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