Marian Johnson has spent years helping build businesses out of the rubble following Christchurch's earthquakes as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Awesome.
The New Premises of the D.I.C. Cashel and Lichfield Streets, Christchurch From the ashes of the conflagration which ravaged the business heart of the city a year ago, there has arisen a wonderfully…
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Owners Sina Seng (L) and Cheu Tek Ung of the 'T Bakery' which closed for five weeks after the Christchurch September 4 magnitude 7.1 earthquake says business has been quiet since they re-opened".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Owners Sina Seng (L) and Cheu Tek Ung of the 'T Bakery' which closed for five weeks after the Christchurch September 4 magnitude 7.1 earthquake says business has been quiet since they re-opened".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "The Canterbury Earthquake Business Benefit Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, was held tonight at Sky City in Auckland. Shown at the dinner is Mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker (right) with racing driver Greg Murphy".
Site of the Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC), part of Christchurch City Council. When viewed May 2011 the focus of the site was to assist businesses affected by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
RNZ Business Editor live from the Reserve Bank, where Governor Alan Bollard is reviewing interest rates, the first scheduled window since the Christchurch earthquake.
This participant-observation study explores the process of gathering and evaluating both financial and non-financial information and communication and transfer of that information within a medium-sized electrical service company in Christchurch, New Zealand. The previous literature has established the importance and the main characteristics of small and medium enterprises, mainly studying manufacturing companies. However, there has been little research done in New Zealand on the overall communication process and the financial and non-financial information usage in a small-medium enterprise. The Electrical Company has a flat structure which allows flexibility. The two owners understand the importance of financial management and use financial information extensively to ensure the business expenses are under control. The owners also gather and use non-financial information through talking to their accountant, their customers and people in the same industry and they keenly follow the news on the rebuilding of Christchurch after the recent earthquakes.
Text above reads 'Central Christchurch business owners protest' and the words 'Cordon Blur' (wordplay on famous cookery schools 'Cordon Bleu' and 'blur' as in 'unclear'). The cartoon shows a striped barrier bearing the words 'KEEP OUT' that is being torn to pieces. A second version continues the text to read 'Central Christchurch business owners protest as future directions unclear'. Context - Protests from angry Christchurch business owners locked out of the damaged CBD have intensified today, with police physically intervening when several protesters went inside the cordon. They are worried about the state of their businesses inside the red zone, and say they have not been allowed in to collect critical records and basic tools so they can carry on working outside the cordon. (NZ Herald 21 March 2011) Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
This report provides an understanding of the nature of Canterbury subcontracting businesses operating in the space of earthquake reconstruction in Christchurch. It offers an in-depth look at the factors that influence the development of their capacity and capability to withstand the impact of volatile economic cycles, including the 2008 global financial crisis and the subsequent 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes. There have been significant changes to the business models of the 13 subcontracting businesses studied since the earthquakes. These changes can be seen in the ways the case study subcontractors have adapted to cope with the changing demands that the rebuild posed. Apart from the magnitude of reconstruction works and new developments that directly affect the capacity of subcontracting businesses in Canterbury, case studies found that subcontractors’ capacity and capability to meet the demand varies and is influenced by the: subcontractors’ own unique characteristics, which are often shaped by changing circumstances in a dynamic and uncertain recovery process; and internal factors in relation to the company’s goal and employees’ needs
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Life in ruins: 27 year-old Chris Meyer, owner and operator of Federal Coffee House, which was located at 160 Manchester Street. The Heritage 1 building that he used to run his business from is being torn down tomorrow".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Life in ruins: 27 year-old Chris Meyer, owner and operator of Federal Coffee House, which was located at 160 Manchester Street. The Heritage 1 building that he used to run his business from is being torn down tomorrow".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Life in ruins: 27 year-old Chris Meyer, owner and operator of Federal Coffee House, which was located at 160 Manchester Street. The Heritage 1 building that he used to run his business from is being torn down tomorrow".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Give Enterprise a Life Line business meeting in the Christchurch Town Hall re: the aftermath of the 4 September earthquake. Judi Tardi speaking. Those listening are (from left): Garth Snell, Mark Lee, Tom Fuller, Mathew Carpenter and Brendon Burns".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "The Canterbury Earthquake Business Benefit Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, was held tonight at Sky City in Auckland. Shown at the dinner is Auckland Supercity mayoral candidate Len Brown (left) with Bill Highet the retail GM at Meridian".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch, Sydenham Christmas shop. 'Christmas Jones' is among the September 4 M7.1 earthquake-hit block of shops. Owner Mike Jones pictured with his partner Megan Simpson (L) says business is slow, but he is staying open".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch, Sydenham Christmas shop. 'Christmas Jones' is among the September 4 M7.1 earthquake-hit block of shops. Owner Mike Jones pictured with his partner Megan Simpson (L) says business is slow, but he is staying open".
The Christchurch earthquakes brought to an abrupt halt a process of adaptive reuse and gentrification that was underway in the south eastern corner of the central business district. The retail uses that were a key to the success of this area pre-earthquake could be characterised as small, owner operated, quirky, bohemian, chaotic and relatively low rent. This research reports on the progress of a long term, comprehensive case study that follows the progress of these retailers both before and after the earthquakes. Findings include the immediate post-earthquake intentions to resume business in the same location as soon as possible were thwarted by government imposed cordons of the CBD that were only lifted nearly three years later. But, businesses were resilient and generally reinvented themselves quickly in alternative suburban locations where government “rebuild” restrictions were absent. It remains to be seen if this type of retail will ever return to the CBD as government imposed plans and the rents demanded for retail space in new buildings appear to preclude small owner-operated businesses.
We cross live to Christchurch to talk to one of the entrants, Roger Dennis, in a 48 hour design challenge to come up with a new look for part of the earthquake hit city's central business district.
A central-Christchurch property owner says attempts by insurance companies to limit the amount of money they end up paying out for earthquake damage, is just part of doing business.
While many businesses in Christchurch are still struggling to get back on their feet after over a year of earthquakes, car sales, including many luxury models, are booming.
The Property Council says an ultimatum from the Christchurch City Council to owners of earthquake damaged commercial buildings will add to the stress business people are already under.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Frank Yan owner of 'On The Spot' dairy on Selwyn Street has moved his business to the sidewalk since the September 4 7.1 quake left his shop condemned. L-R: Frank Yan serves Krystal Gebbie and Annie MacKenzie
Former editor of the Financial Times, and more recently was director general of the Confederation of British Industry, Sir Richard is New Zealand looking at earthquake recovery in Christchurch and to speak about climate change in a business context.
Professional and personal partners Victoria Flight and John Drew about the nutritional benefits of coconut oil, and the decision to develop their business 'Blue Coconut' after experiencing a deeply traumatic event in Christchurch's earthquake of February 2011.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch business U Fit In have moved from their earthquake damaged store into their co-owners' home and are trading from the lounge and spare room. Liz Robinson (L) and Angie Williams work in their temporary storeroom which is the garage".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "The Canterbury Earthquake Business Benefit Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, was held tonight at Sky City in Auckland. Shown at the dinner is former All Black great Bryan Williams (left) with Craig Shrive an associate at Russell McVeagh".
As we go to air, Christchurch property and business owners people are being allowed into the cordoned-off central city for the first time since the earthquake twelve days ago.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Another victim: Three Beckenham shops were pulled down last week, victims of the September 4 earthquake. The businesses were Peace, Love and Tofu; Buy Buy Baby; and Yesteryear. Beckenham near the Milton Street and Colombo Street corner. Mitre 10 in the background".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Owners Sina Seng (L) and Cheu Tek Ung of the 'T Bakery' which closed for five weeks after the Christchurch September 4 magnitude 7.1 earthquake says business has been quiet since they re-opened. Sign written by their 5 year old daughter".