This promotional travelogue, made for the Christchurch City Council, shows off the city and its environs. Filmed at a time when New Zealand’s post-war economy was booming as it continued its role as a farmyard for the “Old Country”, it depicts Christchurch as a prosperous city, confident in its green and pleasant self-image as a “better Britain” (as James Belich coined NZ’s relationship to England), and architecturally dominated by its cathedrals, churches and schools. Many of these buildings were severely damaged or destroyed in the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.
The original Commonwealth Games venue was destroyed in the earthquake.
This TVNZ doco chronicles New Zealand’s participation in 18 Empire and Commonwealth Games — beginning at Hamilton, Canada in 1930 when a Kiwi team of 18 participated in four sports. A cavalcade of gold medallists (including Yvette Williams, Dick Tayler, Anna Simcic and Neroli Fairhall) recall their glory days at the event which was set up to be “merrier and less stern” than The Olympics. Special emphasis is placed on the three New Zealand-hosted Games: at Auckland in 1950 and 1990, and Christchurch in 1974 (which hastened the local arrival of colour television).
A video of a tour of the new central Christchurch police station. The video includes interviews with Riwai Grace, Fire Communications Shift Manager at the New Zealand Fire Service, and Superintendent Gary Knowles, Canterbury Area Commander for the New Zealand Police. Knowles gives The Press a tour of the new training area, cafeteria, courtyard, firearm simulator room, prosecution area, interview rooms, and cell blocks.
"We've got to find a way to bring young people in the city and then we'll be buzzing."
A video about the restoration of New Regent Street. New Regent Street was damaged during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The video includes an interview with Edward Leeson, manager of the restoration project.
Rosie Belton launches her new book Living with Earthquakes (and their aftermath).
A video about the New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Army working in Christchurch to keep the city safe following the 4 September 2010 earthquake. The video includes an interview with Senior Sergeant Phillip Dean, Captain Mark Rutledge, Lance Corporal Aaron Tuhi, Lieutenant Dennis Petre, and Second Lieutenant David Pedrosa-Durie. It also includes footage of the New Zealand Military preparing meals at Burnham Camp.
CCTV footage of the New Brighton Pier during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A video of a tour of the new Press Building on Gloucester Street.
A video of members of the New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Army guarding cordons in the Christchurch central city after the 4 September 2010 earthquake. The video also includes footage of a helicopter flying over the central city.
A time-lapse video of the restoration of New Regent Street in early 2013.
The organisation had to hire over 1000 new staff members to manage the claims.
Earthquake-prone is an official classification of buildings under 34 percent of new building standards.
A video of an address by Hon. Dr. Nick Smith, Minister of Housing, at the 2014 Seismics and the City forum. This talk was part of the Building Communities section.
A video of a presentation by Roger Fairclough of the National Infrastructure Unit on "New Zealand resilient infrastructures: interdependency issues when planning for the future". The presentation was delivered at the learning forum on Interdependencies of Lifeline Systems as part of the University of Canterbury's Lifeline Week.
The opening of the Christchurch City and Sumner stations marks the end of a multi-million-dollar earthquake rebuild programme.
A video of an interview with Toni Burnside, the Principal of Central New Brighton School, about the proposed merger of her school with South New Brighton School. Burnside talks about her belief that the government's rationale for the merger exaggerated the earthquake damage to the site.
As New Zealand remembers the disaster a decade on, here is a look back at the devastation.
CCTV footage showing two aisles in the Redcliff New World supermarket during the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
A video of people participating in the 'Bare Your Bum for Brighton' protest in New Brighton. The protest was organised by Pier Side Café owner Tony Brooks, as a humorous way of getting Christchurch city leaders to take notice of New Brighton after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A public talk by Craig Richardson, Managing Director at Wynard Group. This talk, entitled 'Foundations of an innovative new global business', formed part of the Plenary Four session, 'Laying the foundations'.
A video about the Red Zone in the Christchurch Central City after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The video includes footage of damaged buildings and cars, the New Zealand Police and Army patrolling the streets, and an interview with Michael Harvey, a squad leader in the New Zealand Urban Search and Rescue.
A video of Charlie Gates investigating the Christchurch City Council's plan to rejuvenate New Brighton mall. Gates interviews Sherry Dhamija, owner of Penguin House Dairy, Kate Thomas, manager of New Brighton Florist, and Colleen Biggs of Pegasus Tattoo about how business is going and what they think the area needs to be revitalised.
A video showing part of the demolition of the Ozone Hotel in New Brighton. Steve Taylor comments "She put up a good fight. The Ozone in New Brighton was damaged in the February earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. Here is the main corner of the structure being, as they say, deconstructed. At the end there is a reverent bow by the excavator. Just before this the claw had caught on the floor/ceiling and the whole building shook from side to side, but it still stayed in place."
Early Days Yet, directed by Shirley Horrocks, is a full-length documentary about New Zealand poet Allen Curnow, made in the last months of his life. The poet talks about his life and work, and visits the places of some of his most important poems. It includes interviews with other New Zealand poets about Curnow's significance as an advocate for New Zealand poetry. As Curnow famously mused in front of a moa skeleton displayed in Canterbury Museum: "Not I, some child, born in a marvellous year / Will learn the trick of standing upright here."
A video of a fire which broke out in the Pills for Thrills building on Worcester Street following the 4 September 2010 earthquake. The fire is thought to have been caused by a gas leak in the building.
A video of a press conference with Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Mayor Lianne Dalziel. The conference was held to announce the implementation of the Accessible Transport Plan. Brownlee announces the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit in the inner city zone, facilitating the use of bicycles and encouraging pedestrian movement within the centre city. Lianne also talks about how the plan allows for a clean, green, safe, and accessible city, reflecting the public's visions in the Share an Idea campaign.
A video of people protesting outside the Christchurch City Council offices on Worcester Street. The are protesting the demolition of the Manchester Courts building.
A video of members of the public burning the 'Temple for Christchurch' art piece at the Motukara Raceway. The art piece was designed by artist Hippathy Valentine to provide a mechanism for emotional healing alongside the physical rebuilding of Christchurch. People were encouraged to visit the temple and to write stories and leave memorabilia. The piece is being burned to signify the release of these stories.
