Today marks two years since the magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked the Kaikoura and Hurunui districts, killing two people and tearing roads and infrastructure apart.
Kaikoura District Mayor Winston Gray says the town is recovering well, and business is back to where it was before.
Local tourism and hospitality operators agree.
Dolphin Lodge Backpackers owner Helen Blanchard says her business was almost decimated after the quakes.
She says the only customers in her 23-bed facility were a couple of displaced locals.
But now more tourists are visiting than ever before.
Blanchard says they've heard about Kaikoura's struggles, and decided it was worth exploring
