The Hororata community has largely moved on from the earthquakes, but two major recovery projects remain in limbo four years on.
On September 4, 2010, Hororata was devastated in the 7.1 magnitude earthquake which rocked Canterbury, losing its main meeting venues and several historic homesteads suffering damage.
Last September's windstorm also caused considerable damage in the area. In the wake of the earthquake, the community rallied together to establish the Hororata Community Trust and identified four major projects.
The historic rammed clay Coton's Cottage has been restored and development of the Hororata Domain is continuing. However, the restoration of the St John's Anglican Church building and repairs and strengthening work to the local community hall remain in limbo.
''People are starting to get over the quakes and the windstorm and people are still working together to improve Hororata and to keep it on the map,'' Hororata Community Trust spokeswoman Cindy Driscoll said.
''The whole area has had some growth. The Hororata School had expected the roll to drop, but it is holding steady with all the new families coming into the area.
''It would be nice to get some direction for the hall and church, but there's a lot of procedure and politics to go through with these sorts of things.''
Hororata Anglican vicar the Rev Jenni Carter said Bishop Victoria Matthews recently visited Hororata to update the community on plans to restore the church, but no dates had been set.
A new cycle, horse and walkway was being developed around the Hororata Domain in two stages and when complete would cover 4.5km, Ms Driscoll said.
''A lot of that's done through the community and not just the trust, so it's important to recognise the community is making it happen.''
The trust's major project has been the Hororata Highland Games, which debuted in November 2011, with the fourth annual games due to be held on November 9 at the Hororata Domain.
''The entries are now open and we're aiming to get 300 again. And we're aiming for 10,000 spectators,'' she said.
Another major community event was the Hororata Spring Fair, held at St John's Anglican Church on Labour Day, October 27. The trust's other projects included developing ''welcome to Hororata'' signs for the township, to ''put it on the map, so you're not just a blip on the map''.
- by David Hill