Quake Families

Relatives of the CTV Victims

Stella Cheersmith

The Quake Families group was formed after 22 February 2011, and was comprised of the family members of those killed in the earthquake. Many of the families were related to victims of the CTV building, and the group was led by Co-Chairmen Maan Alkaisi and Brian Kennedy, whose wives, Maysoon Abbas and Faye Kennedy, were both killed in the collapse. The Quake Families group developed quite a public profile during the Royal Commission of Inquiry, when they campaigned for legal aid and funding from the government, gaining the support of Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and meeting with Governmental representatives. Below are some of the articles published about the group.

Resources:

• Christchurch Press 18 July 2011: Section A, Page 1 (Christchurch Edition) | "Families denied legal aid." - Reports on the efforts of the Quake Families group to obtain funding from the Government for their legal team during the Royal Commission of Inquiry. The group is made up of approximately 50 families of earthquake victims, led by Co-Chairmen Maan Alkaisi and Brian Kennedy.
• Christchurch Press 6 August 2011: Section A, Page 3 | "Key sidesteps promise issue." "Decision to deny aid was solely Cabinet's." - These two articles provide details on the Government’s refusal to provide the Quake Families group with legal aid. It includes comments from John Key and reports from members of the Quake Families group about meetings that were had following the earthquake.
• The Star 13 August 2011 (Page 2) | "Face to face in funding fight." - This article offers information on the upcoming meeting arranged between the Quake Families group and Governmental representatives. It includes a brief history of the group’s efforts to obtain legal funding, as well as an interview with the Co-Chairman, Brian Kennedy.
• Christchurch Press 23 August 2011: Section A, Page 1 | "Govt agrees to fund lawyer." - Provides an update following the meeting between Quake Families representatives and government officials. Prime Minister John Key announced that an extra lawyer would be appointed to represent the interests of the Quake Families Group, though some wondered why the Government was reluctant to fund the lawyers already chosen by the group.
• The Star 14 October 2011 (Page 6) | "Few answers in quake report." - Discusses the recent interim report published by the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission. This report had little information about the CTV building and its collapse, which will make up the next part of their investigation. Quake Families Co-Chairman Brian Kennedy provides comment.
• The Star 4 July 2012 (Pages 1 & 3) | "'She'll be right' attitude blamed." - This article covers some of the recent evidence given at the Royal Commission of Inquiry regarding the assessment of the CTV building following the September 4 earthquake. It focuses on the response from the Quake Families group and the opinion that those conducting the rapid assessment had a relaxed attitude, missing damage and faults in the building.
• The Star 8 August 2012 (Pages 1 & 4) | "CTV APOLOGY: Victims' families now want others to do the same." - Provides an update on Alan Reay’s appearance at the Royal Commission of Inquiry and the recent apology he gave to the families of CTV victims. It includes statements from Brian Kennedy and Alec Cvetanov.
• Christchurch Press 18 August 2012: Section A, Page 5 (Christchurch Edition) | "CTV inquiry revealed a history hard to take." - This article is written by Quake Families Co-Chairman Brian Kennedy. He gives a brief personal account of the Royal Commission of Inquiry, which revealed many previous issues with the design and building of the CTV building. He thanks the commissioners and the Quake Families legal team for their dedication and sensitivity to the victims’ families.
• Christchurch Press 25 November 2013: Section A, Page 2 | "Collapse liability demanded." - Reports on the Government’s inaction following the conclusion of the Royal Commission of Inquiry. This article includes statements from Quake Families Co-Chairman Maan Alkaisi, as well as some other Quake Families members who share their feelings several months on from the Royal Commission Report.
• Christchurch Press 22 February 2014: Section A, Page 4 | "'Final stage missing in story of CTV building'." - This article provides information on the Quake Families group, three years after the February 22 earthquake. It contains statements from Maan Alkaisi, who reflects on the investigations that have taken place, and the state of the CTV site today.
• CTV families hold protest in Christchurch | RNZ - This report from Radio New Zealand National covers the recent protest that took place in Latimer Square. Family members of those who died in the CTV collapse gathered to protest the outcome of the three-year Police investigation. The audio file includes statements from those who were present at Latimer Square, as well as a discussion of the laws that influenced the Police’s decision not to prosecute the designers of the CTV building.

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General Searches:

For further information on the CTV building collapse and the Quake Families Group, search the CEISMIC collection or get started with one of the links below.

• For a general search of the collection that includes "CTV building" and "Quake Families" click here
• To explore all audio files related to Quake Families, click here
• To search CEISMIC for mentions of Quake Families Co-Chairman Maan Alkaisi, click here
• To find resources related to Quake Families Co-Chairman Brian Kennedy, click here