Following the 2016 Valentine 's Day earthquake , the five properties in New Regent Street owned by Helen Thacker were cordoned off due to risk of collapse of their façades , which stopped the tram from doing its traditional route through the pedestrian mall . Later on , a further two properties not owned by Thacker were cordoned off . The operator of the tramway , Michael Esposito from Welcome Aboard , claimed that the tram had so far brought 100,000 customers to New Regent Street during the 2015/16 summer . Tim Hunter , the chief executive of Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism , lamented that the inaction of one owner " will put us back in the world news as not being visitor friendly . " The street 's spokesperson stated that business had been " disappointing " while the tram was not operating . The barriers were removed and the tram began operating again on 1 May 2016
2016 Valentine 's Day earthquake
2016 Christchurch earthquake
New Regent Street