Social media have changed disaster response and recovery in the way people inform themselves, provide community support and make sense of unfolding and past events online. During the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter became part of the story of the quakes in the region, as well as a basis for ongoing public engagement during the rebuild efforts in Christchurch. While a variety of research has been conducted on the use of social media in disaster situations (Bruns & Burgess, 2012; Potts, Seitzinger, Jones, & Harrison, 2011; Shklovski, Palen, & Sutton, 2008), studies about their uses in long-term disaster recovery and across different platforms are underrepresented. This research analyses networked practices of sensemaking around the Canterbury earthquakes over the course of disaster response, recovery and rebuild, focussing on Facebook and Twitter. Following a mixed methodological design data was gathered in interviews with people who started local Facebook pages, and through digital media methods of data collection and computational analysis of public Facebook pages and a historical Twitter dataset gathered around eight different earthquake-related events between 2010 and 2013. Data is further analysed through discursive and narrative tools of inquiry. This research sheds light on communication practices in the drawn-out process of disaster recovery on the ground in connecting different modes of discourse. Examining the ongoing negotiation of networked identities through technologically mediated social practices during Canterbury’s rebuild, the connection between online environments and the city of Christchurch, as a physical place, is unpacked. This research subsequently develops a new methodology to study social media platforms and provide new and detailed information on both the communication practices in issue-based online publics and the ongoing negotiation of the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes through networked digital means.
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.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Nelson College for Girls year 12 leaders (from left) Sophie Day, Petra Matz, Sascha Miller, Jessica Rose, Kate Mickleson, Ming Pons, Emma Dallison, Yvette Jones-White, Nicola Britten, Eilish Wilson, Zoey Coombs-King, Abigail Goodison and Mackenzie Orange have started a collection at the college of cans and cash to aid people of Canterbury affected by the recent earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Nelson College for Girls year 12 leaders (from left) Sophie Day, Petra Matz, Sascha Miller, Jessica Rose, Kate Mickleson, Ming Pons, Emma Dallison, Yvette Jones-White, Nicola Britten, Eilish Wilson, Zoey Coombs-King, Abigail Goodison and Mackenzie Orange have started a collection at the college of cans and cash to aid people of Canterbury affected by the recent earthquake".
An advertisement for 'The Big Quake', a book about the 4 September earthquake produced by The Press. The advertisement advises the expected delivery date for a reprinted edition.
A video of an interview with Peter Townsend, Chief Executive of Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce about the experiences of businesses in the aftermath of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Townsend talks about business collaboration in Christchurch, the need for businesses to have a back-up plans, the increase in people working from home, and the importance of businesses understanding their insurance. This video is part of a series about businesses in Christchurch after the earthquakes.
A video of an interview with James Jameson about the lack of access to his apartment in the Victoria Apartments. Many of Jameson's possessions have been trapped in the building since the 22 February 2011 earthquake, including irreplaceable art and book collections. After the earthquake, Jameson was given a couple of hours to retrieve his computer and other essentials, but he has not been allowed in since. Jameson talks about the lack of communication from the authorities , the likelihood that his possessions have been ruined, and his inability to make an insurance claim until he knows he definitely cannot retrieve his possessions.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Members of the Red Cross civil defence response team and South Canterbury Police have been in Christchurch helping with the earthquake clean up. Pictured from left are Trooper Jesse Gaffney (ex-Timaru), St Andrews Police Constable Tim Hartnell and Constable Cath Hone of Timaru. They have been posted around Christchurch road blocks over the last week. They are pictured at the Manchester and Tuam cordon".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Pupils at South School had a loud shirt day to help raise money for Christchurch earthquake victims. Pictured from left at far back are Jihye Kang, Bradley Messer, Nick Frame, Cody Harford, Miss White, Amber Henderson, Geneva Hatata and Rose Bransgrove. Middle row from left: Jack Ridgway, Miss Sidaway, Eleanor Woodnorth and Tory Simpson. At the front are Maggie Bransgrove and Jordan Murray".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch Earthquake. Christchurch was rocked by a large aftershock shortly after 8am this morning. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has donated money to the thousand of students who have filled the suburbs lending a hand to residents to clean up their properties. Bennett chats to volunteers (L-R) Sophie Cornish, Ashley Cornish, Laura Jackson, Shannon Ronald, Kirsten Glasson and Lauren Baker".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch where the cleanup has begun. Teams of building inspectors gathered at the Linwood Service Centre before heading into the eastern suburbs en masse. Jeanette Banks, centre right, shares the relief of having had her property inspected with sister and Red Cross member Sandie Horne, down from Nelson. Napier building inspector, Gary Marshall, left, and City Council planner, Kent Wilson at right".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch where the cleanup has begun. Teams of building inspectors gathered at the Linwood Service Centre before heading into the eastern suburbs en masse. Napier building inspectors Gary Marshall, centre left, and Rod Jarvis were joined by City Council planner, Kent Wilson, right, and Kat Newman, left, who worked as the welfare officer on the team on Dallington Terrace".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch where the cleanup has begun. Teams of building inspectors gathered at the Linwood Service Centre before heading into the eastern suburbs en masse. Jeanette Banks, centre right, shares the relief of having had her property inspected with sister and Red Cross member Sandie Horne, down from Nelson. Napier building inspector, Gary Marshall, left, and City Council planner, Kent Wilson at right".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, " At the Love and Harmony benefit concert for Canterbury earthquake relief, Chaz Cummings and his sister Kalsey, of Naenae, jive it up in rock 'n' roll fashion for a crowd of one hundred at Naenae Community Centre. They are members of the Hutt Valley Rock 'n' Roll Club, and Chaz was the winner of New Zealand's Got Talent in 2008".
An infographic showing the causes of the CTV building collapse.
A graphic giving information about Ralph Hotere, awarded the Order of New Zealand. The illustration shows his painting, 'Hang in there mate', painted in response to the Christchurch earthquakes.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 10 May 2011 entitled, "Stolen Sleep and Secret Stars".
A video of The Dukes performing at the Band Together concert in Hagley Park. The concert was held on the 23 October 2010 for the people of Canterbury after the 2010 earthquakes.
An advertisement for 'The Big Quake', a book about the 4 September earthquake produced by The Press. The advertisement advises that the book has sold out and is being reprinted.
Page 20 of Section O of the Christchurch Press, published on Wednesday 23 February 2011.
Page 17 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Monday 7 March 2011.
A page banner promoting an article about the "Fight for Christchurch" charity boxing match.
Page 3 of Section C of the Christchurch Press, published on Saturday 11 February 2012.
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 a CERA press conference unveiling the 100-day blueprint produced by the Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU). The video includes presentations by Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Warwick Isaacs, the Director of the CCDU. Brownlee and Isaacs announce the acquisition of properties within the central city, and the creation of a green space bordering the central city. They also announce the building of a convention centre, stadium, and sports facility.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch CBD was 'yarn-bombed' during the weekend using yarn and fabric pieces to brighten public areas and earthquake-affected spaces. Visitor Ann Rees and her husband Bernard from South Wales said when looking at the yarn-bombed busts at the Arts Centre (from left: Diana Isaac, Elisie Locke, Charles Luney and Margaret Mahy) that it didn't appear like the work of vandals, but looked quite homely and warm".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch CBD was 'yarn-bombed' during the weekend using yarn and fabric pieces to brighten public areas and earthquake-affected spaces. Visitor Ann Rees and her husband Bernard from South Wales said when looking at the yarn-bombed busts at the Arts Centre (from left: Diana Isaac, Elisie Locke, Charles Luney and Margaret Mahy) that it didn't appear like the work of vandals, but looked quite homely and warm".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Damage to St. Mary's Anglican Church Timaru resulting from 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake centred near Darfield. (L to R on ground): Archdeacon Andrew Starky; Vicar Indrea Alexander and Concillor Ray Bennett watch as Craig Perkins and Kevin Deam are hoisted by crane to remove damaged spires from the church tower. (L to R): Builder Kevin Deam and St. Mary's parishioner Craig Perkins inspect a damaged spire on the church tower".
A video of all the acts performing during the finale number of the Band Together concert in Hagley Park. The concert was held on the 23 October 2010 for the people of Canterbury after the 2010 earthquakes.
A banner listing the 115 people who died in the CTV building collapse.