A doctor's bravery during the February quake is recognised

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The doctor who is about to receive a bravery award for his work during Christchurch's February earthquake, says the images from that day are still with him.

First census in seven years takes place today

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Today is census day; the first nationwide stocktake in seven years after the census was called off in 2011 because of the February earthquake in Christchurch.

The Panel with Irene Gardiner and Chris Wikaira (part 1)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The possibility of another earthquake in Christchurch, the Prime Minister's son planks, and lighting up inside an Auckland bar on No Tobacco Day.

The latest from an earthquake engineer in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

It's day four of the massive clean-up operation in Canterbury. Hundreds of shops and offices in the region are being assessed to check if they're safe.

Engineers defend expertise at Earthquake Commission

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Two engineers who prepared a critical report on the CTV building spent much of the day yesterday defending their expertise and credentials at the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission.

Shaves & Shampoos on the North West Corner of Cathedral Square

Articles, Lost Christchurch

It’s just before 3pm on a late summer day in 1914. Prolific Christchurch photographer, Steffano Webb is setting up his camera equipment inside the gents’ hairdressing saloon of well kno…

Fairfax Media Image: Kevin Stent 2010:09:04 11:56:18

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "A noticeboard at the Civil Defence 'bunker' under the Beehive in Wellington, on the day of the Christchurch earthquake".

Christchurch Press Image: Kirk Hargreaves 2010:09:05 11:54:13

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Day after the earthquake that rocked Christchurch. Damage to the road frontage in front of the Kaiapoi Fire Station".

Colin Lau's photograph of the University 2

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A scanned copy of a black and white photograph belonging to University of Canterbury alumnus Colin Lau. Colin describes the photograph as follows: "A shot of the float of a parade in the downtown area. I could still recognize some of the faces of my friends on the left taking in the sight and sound of the day. I do not quite recall the date of that parade; it has to be around the early 70's." Colin notes that the photograph may depict the 1971 'University Graduation Day' parade.

A day in the post-quake life of a Christchurch family

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Its now seven weeks since the February earthquake. Normality is returning to Christchurch, with most sewerage lines fixed and water no longer needing to be boiled before drinking. But that doesn't apply to everyone.

Central Canterbury News Image: Gary Moody 2010:09:24 13:00:26

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Quake recovery: Lessons have been put aside for the day so Greendale School pupils can have a bit of fun".

St Pauls Church, Gayhurst Rd, Dallington

Images, eqnz.chch.2010

Photo taken Jan 2011 as the church is demolished. The next day the stain glass window at the far end was removed and saved.

Christchurch earthquake bride

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch earthquake was obviously a huge story this year, and for one couple it will always be particularly memorable. Christchurch lawyer Katherine Ewer and her husband David got married that day.

Steve Lawrence Photograph 36

Images, UC QuakeStudies

The south side of the damaged cathedral, with boarded up windows. Taken on a day when a walkway was opened up between Re:Start Mall and Cathedral Square to allow temporary public access.

Christchurch City’s Heart – the Cashel and High Street Intersection

Articles, Lost Christchurch

This intriguing photograph taken at the junction of Cashel and High Street draws us back to a typical summer day in Edwardian Christchurch in February 1913. A summer rain fall has just cleared, all…

Christchurch Press Image: Kirk Hargreaves 2010:09:05 15:53:27

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Firefighters have had a busy day in Kaiapoi pulling down suspect chimneys, with north-west winds predicted to reach gale force".

Christchurch Press Image: Kirk Hargreaves 2010:10:23 13:13:39

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Band Together in Christchurch's Hagley Park as a post-earthquake party. Gillian Forsyth and son Andrew enjoy a day out together".

Christchurch Press Image: Hamish Coleman-Ross 2010:09:13 (01)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Hannah Anderson (7) and Jordan Young (8) from Banks Avenue School in Dallington. First day back to school after 'quake-break'".

Taupo Times Image: Hamish Coleman-Ross 2010:09:13 (01)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Jordan Young (8) and Matthew Rogers (11) from Banks Avenue School in Dallington. First day back to school after 'quake-break'".

Christchurch Press Image: Kirk Hargreaves 2010:09:05 15:52:11

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Firefighters have had a busy day in Kaiapoi pulling down suspect chimneys with north-west winds predicted to reach gale force".

Christchurch Press Image: Kirk Hargreaves 2010:09:05 12:30:04

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Day after the earthquake that rocked Christchurch. Damage to the road kitchen of homeowner Mel Whitby. Pictured with Clayton Cosgrove (R)".

Death and Taxes

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

He is bed maker to the dead. The pillows which he lays never rumple. The day of interment is the theatre in which he displays the mysteries of this art. Thomas Lamb 1811.   Nothing in this would can be … Continue reading →

Maids of Misfortune

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Every year on the 14th February we celebrate St. Valentine’s day with the exchanging of small tokens of our love and affection with our significant others. As so often is the case, the exact origins of this holiday are clouded … Continue reading →

Chch family has little faith EQC settlement will be forthcoming

Audio, Radio New Zealand

EQC said it would provide the Ross family with a cash settlement by February 20, almost seven years to the day since the Christchurch earthquake. Now it's commissioning another rebuild estimate.

Stay classy, Christchurch

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Class is a complicated concept, historically and in the present day. It’s difficult to define, somewhat ephemeral, and yet so clearly there in our societies and our cultures. For better or for worse, social stratification has been part of human … Continue reading →

Of all the gin joints.

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Picture this. A summer’s day: clear blue skies and the heat of the afternoon sunshine, just the hint of a breeze. You might be in a garden, sheltering from the sun in the shade of the tree or under a … Continue reading →

Chch's new super school opens in Aranui with a bumper roll

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Haeata is the first public school in Christchurch to cater for all ages, replacing three eastern suburbs schools that were closed after the earthquakes. RNZ joined more than 900 students for the first day.

The Secret Lives of Archaeologists

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

I’m writing this blog on the 3rd of April, 2020. It’s currently day nine of a four week (or longer) shutdown initiated by the New Zealand government to try and stop the spread of Covid-19. Over the past two weeks … Continue reading →

Southern Story for 21 February 2013 - Earthquake Anniversary

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch prepares for a challenging anniversary - two years on from the devastating earthquake that killed 185 people. Our correspondent there, Katy Gosset, hears the stories of local baristas who were in the CBD that day.

Anecdotes from the appraisalists

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Call us appraisalists, historical researchers, or even cyber archaeologists. Most of our day consists of using a wide variety of historical material to pull together the histories of sites around Canterbury (and to make sure those archaeologists in the field … Continue reading →