CHRISTCHURCH.- Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu opened to visitors Saturday 19 December 2015.

The Gallery has installed artworks upstairs, downstairs, in the foyer and on the roof. Visitors are able to view old favourites, as well as a selection of the 500 new pieces the Gallery has acquired since it closed.

Highlights on show at opening include Bill Culbert's spectacular Bebop 'chandelier' of chairs and fluorescent lights from the Venice Biennale and Christchurch's favourite bronze bull Chapman's Homer by Michael Parekowhai.

The shop, café and car park will reopen shortly as work is completed. Parking is available on the streets surrounding the Gallery, or at the Botanic Gardens car park.

Christchurch Art Gallery is now one of the safest and most earthquake-resilient galleries in the world.

Since closing in February 2011, the iconic building has undergone a $59.2 million repair programme of re-levelling and strengthening.

Built in 2003, the building had minor damage from the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. However, areas of ground beneath the 33,000 tonne building liquefied and resettled unevenly, requiring a significant programme of repairs.

Phase one of the programme was to re-level the structure. Piles were formed under the foundations and filled with grout, slowly raising the building up.

In April 2014 base-isolation work began. Large bearings were installed between the building and its foundations, effectively allowing the building to float on its foundations in the event of an earthquake, significantly reducing the seismic stress on the building and its contents.

The final stage included repairs to essential services, the iconic glass façade and the interior.

By the numbers:

• More than 500 new artworks added to Christchurch Art Gallery's collection over the last five years while closed

• 360 artworks on display in the opening exhibitions

• 150 jet grout columns installed to re-level the building

• 140 triple pendulum bearings used for base-isolation