The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority was established to help manage Christchurch’s rebuild and recovery following the 2011 earthquakes.

When allegations of conflicts of interest within its city development unit arose, Michael Heron was called on to undertake an independent inquiry.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) was established under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 to assist with the Government’s response to the devastating Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. After five years of operation, CERA was disestablished on 18 April 2016.