A story submitted by Ali to the QuakeStories website.
Topics - Eight days on from the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that killed at least 161 people in Christchurch, officials have announced that the rescue effort will now transition to a recovery operation. Dunedin shares the nation's sorrow for Christchurch - but the ODT reports today that it could also benefit from an influx of workers and businesses relocating from the Garden City. Some Christchurch landlords have been labelled opportunistic vultures for ramping up rents for homeless businesses trying to find temporary office space.
A video of a press conference with Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews and Dean Peter Beck, about the interim plans for the earthquake-damaged ChristChurch Cathedral. In the press conference Matthews announces that the Cathedral will be deconsecrated, that parts of it will be demolished, and that the rest will be made safe. These measures will allow the recovery of artefacts and heritage items from the building.
Detail of damage to a house in Richmond. A double-brick wall has collapsed, and a gap is visible between the house and its foundation. The photographer comments, "These photos show our old house in River Rd and recovery work around Richmond and St Albans. The house and the concrete patio are now 15cm apart. The house took half the dining room's remaining bricks with it as it jumped off the foundations. It gives a good visual indication of the displacement".
Damage to a residential property in Richmond. The brick wall of the garage has collapse inward, and the roof fallen in on top of it. The photographer comments, "These photos show our old house in River Rd and recovery work around Richmond and St Albans. The neighbours behind us used the kayak to get in to their house - it's flooded by Dudley Creek which runs behind the block, plus major liquefaction. Our old garage provides a good spot to park it".
Detail of damage to a house in Richmond. A double-brick wall has collapsed. A wire loop which formerly tied the two layers of bricks together has pulled out from one of the layers, showing how the two parts of the wall moved apart during the shaking. The photographer comments, "These photos show our old house in River Rd and recovery work around Richmond and St Albans. The remaining double brick by the back door has been further smashed and twisted".
A photograph of staff members from SPCA Canterbury gathering outside the building on 1 March 2011 for the two minutes of silence in respect for those who lost their lives in the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
The cartoon shows the Minister for Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, who wears a jacket with 'CERA' printed on it, reading from the 'Doomsday Book'. He reads 'The following suburbs and my hopes of a reputation as an effective minister, are now officially listed as munted...' Context - On 23rd June Prime Minister, John Key, officially announced which streets and suburbs in earthquake-ravaged Christchurch would be abandoned. For many residents, there has been too much delay and too little information regarding progress towards resolving questions about which land can or cannot be used for rebuilding for Gerry Brownlee's reputation to remain unsullied. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
An entry from Jennifer Middendorf's blog for 24 February 2011 entitled, "Checking in".
An entry from Jennifer Middendorf's blog for 1 March 2011 entitled, "Back home".
A photograph of SPCA Wellington vehicles parked on the intersection of Lichfield and Manchester Streets after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, the earthquake damage to the Tower Chambers building can be seen.
A photograph of a veterinarian holding a pigeon at SPCA Canterbury. The pigeon was named Barney Rubble due to the fact that it was found amongst the rubble and debris of the ChristChurch Cathedral.
A photograph of a SPCA Wellington vehicle driving through the Christchurch central city after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, a group of shops has been damaged by the earthquakes. A portaloo can be seen to the left.
Gerard Smyth's acclaimed documentary about the Christchurch earthquakes is the story of people coping — for better or worse — with the huge physical and emotional toll that the quakes, and continuing aftershocks, inflicted on them, their homes and their city. It began as a home movie while the devastation of September was surveyed (with thanks given that no-one had been killed); but, as shooting of the recovery continued, the February quake compounded the destruction and claimed 182 lives (including their researcher and 16 colleagues at CTV).
Text reads 'If a secret microphone was smuggled into CERA's meetings?...' A group of CERA staff chat during tea at a meeting. They make unguarded comments about the state of affairs in earthquake-stricken Christchurch unaware that a microphone has been left in a sugarbowl. Context: the cartoon suggests that there seems to many Christchurch people to be a lack of real care on the part of officialdom as they struggle to recover from the earthquake damage. The microphone recalls that left 'accidentally' on a table at which Prime Minister John Key and the ACT candidate for the Epsom seat were having a highly publicised cup of tea. Then when it was discovered that a microphone had recorded their conversation John Key tried to get a court order to supress making it public. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A story submitted by Tracy to the QuakeStories website.
The cartoon shows Gerry Brownlee, the Minister for Earthquake Recovery, walking towards a spa wearing swimming togs and with a blow-up toy around his waist. Context: The cartoon illustrated an article entitled 'Sutton candid about struggles'. Cera boss Roger Sutton received politicians in the empty Centennial Park spa pool after the February earthquake when he was still head of lines company Orion. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
As the search for victims continues and the long recovery from Tuesday's disastrous earthquake in Christchurch begins there've been suggestions the stricken city's rugby world cup matches could be transferred to Australia. We hear from Rugby World Cup 2011's chief executive Martin Snedden, who says that's not the case. We look at the second round of Super Rugby, and hear from the Olympic 1500 metres silver medalist Nick Willis who's hoping his belated medal presentation will boost effort to raise money for Christchurch earthquake relief funds. And we also talk to a veteran Black Sticks defender who's quit international hockey.
A review of the week's news including: Christchurch's emergency operation moves from rescue to recovery, two minutes' silence observed nationwide, government announces aid package, Finance Minister outlines cost of quake, a fifth of Christchurch population has fled, inquiry launched into collapse of damaged buildings, many Christchurch schools remain closed and some of their pupils enrol elsewhere, students and farmers roll up their sleeves to help quake victims, rescuers tell stories of survival, hundreds of Wellington buildings expected not to meet earthquake safety standards and time capsule discovered under statue of Christchurch founding father
A review of the week's news, including: environmental protests against oil exploration off the East cape, changes to Legal Aid, plans to sell the Pike River coal mine, a Labour MP says his party's list is drawn up by"a gaggle of gays", confidence in the economy grows, extraordinary powers given to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, the number of heritage buildings to be demolished after the quake grows, results from faultline mapping in Christchurch to be known within weeks, Mt Ruapehu to be monitored around the clock and Victoria Cross winners are awarded with stamps.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the city of Christchurch at 12:51pm on Tuesday 22 February 2011. The earthquake caused 182 fatalities, a large number of injuries, and resulted in widespread damage to the built environment, including significant disruption to the lifelines. The event created the largest lifeline disruption in a New Zealand city in 80 years, with much of the damage resulting from extensive and severe liquefaction in the Christchurch urban area. The Christchurch earthquake occurred when the Canterbury region and its lifelines systems were at the early stage of recovering from the 4 September 2010 Darfield (Canterbury) magnitude 7.1 earthquake. This paper describes the impact of the Christchurch earthquake on lifelines by briefly summarising the physical damage to the networks, the system performance and the operational response during the emergency management and the recovery phase. Special focus is given to the performance and management of the gas, electric and road networks and to the liquefaction ejecta clean-up operations that contributed to the rapid reinstatement of the functionality of many of the lifelines. The water and wastewater system performances are also summarized. Elements of resilience that contributed to good network performance or to efficient emergency and recovery management are highlighted in the paper.
'The Politician' cartoon strip. The minister is keen to push through 'unpopular money raising policies' like the 'tax on people's taxes for example'. Context - the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 has created more strain on an already straining economy and there has been discussion about various possibilities for sticking with the Government's short and long-term targets for debt reduction in spite of the enormous recovery cost for Christchurch. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A Christchurch seismic monitor churns out reams of paper with wild fluctuations showing earthquakes and aftershocks. Nearby two men examine a second monitor and one of them says 'This one's connected to Gerry Brownlee!' The reams of paper show a perfectly straight line - it appears that nothing is going on in Gerry Brownlee's head. Context - A sense that the Minister for Earthquake Recovery is being less than effective. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
In the top two frames several farm animals whip round in fright and then take to their heels in mad flight. In the lower frame a duck says 'No you dummies - I said Quack quack'. Context - The Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 and the many aftershocks that have kept nerves on edge. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Two skeletal people sit in armchairs waist-deep in silt. The man is reading the newspaper and says 'The wait's over! The Land Report's due out dear!... DEAR?' He realises that his wife, whose bony hand clutches 'EQC update No. 37', is dead. Context - On Thursday 23 June Prime Minister John Key, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and representatives from engineering consultants Tonkin & Taylor announced the first part of the Government's long-awaited land report that revealed the fate of up to 5000 quake-damaged homes. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Damage to River Road in Richmond. The road is badly cracked and slumped, and is closed off with a row of road cones tied with warning tape. The word "closed" has been spray painted on the road surface. The photographer comments, "These photos show our old house in River Rd and recovery work around Richmond and St Albans. River Rd was again subject to severe lateral spreading. The river is still grey with silt, the road is ripped and sunken, and power poles lean at random angles. The red car belonged to a postie, who had to come back with a tow truck to extricate the car from the hole that had opened underneath it. Looking along River Road to the north-east. Taken outside 79 Medway St".
The title is 'Gerry BrownLie?' and the cartoon shows the Minister for Earthquake recovery, Gerry Brownlee, saying 'It was NOT a lie. It was a false promise'. Context: Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee has apologised for falsely promising red zone homeowners they would be paid out for improvements to their house. Brownlee promised in June that, in some cases, home improvements like new kitchens would be included in the government settlement offer for red zone houses. But the offer is only valid if the improvement has added to the footprint of the house. (Press - 4 September 2011) Alternate version of DCDL-0018758 Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Questions to Ministers 1. AMY ADAMS to the Minister of Finance: How many claims does the Earthquake Commission expect to receive as a result of the earthquakes in Canterbury since 4 September 2010? 2. Hon PHIL GOFF to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that "rebuilding Christchurch is a key priority for the Government this year"; if so, what rebuilding plans are currently in place? 3. METIRIA TUREI to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement that state support is for "people to fall back on when they really need it"? 4. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that New Zealanders were "more than compensated" for last year's increase in GST? 5. NICKY WAGNER to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How is her Ministry responding to support the Christchurch recovery following last month's earthquake? 6. JACINDA ARDERN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his answers to Oral Question number one on 8 March 2011; if not, why not? 7. AARON GILMORE to the Minister of Corrections: What support has the Department of Corrections provided to the people of Christchurch following last month's earthquake? 8. Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Minister of Finance: How much has he budgeted to raise from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and has this figure been revised in light of the Japanese earthquake? 9. JO GOODHEW to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What work will the New Zealand Urban Search and Rescue team be carrying out in Japan? 10. Hon SHANE JONES to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement that the $300 million bill for restoring the Christchurch road network won't be causing any "dramatic issues" and what is his timeframe for the completion of this work? 11. COLIN KING to the Minister of Transport: What work has been done to repair and reopen Christchurch's roads and highways following the 22 February earthquake? 12. Hon STEVE CHADWICK to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: Has he had any discussions with the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery about heritage buildings or recovering cultural artefacts from buildings damaged by the earthquake on 22 February; if so, what did he say to the Minister?
The cartoon shows the 'CCC Office' (Christchurch City Council) as a small ramshackle wooden building in a desert; bits of animal skeleton lie around and there are saguaro cactus and tumbleweed. A cowboy has arrived and asks 'So... Can I speak to the Deputy, Deputy, Deputy, Assistant Sheriff?' Context - A reference to layers of officialdom in Christchurch as the city struggles to rebuild itself as well as many councillors being away on holiday while the quake problems continue. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Text above reads 'Prince William comes to Christchurch...' A special royal portaloo has been arranged for the visit of Prince William to Christchurch; it is built to resemble a castle and has gold door fittings. On either side of the portaloo stands a sentry guard. The prince who is inside whispers 'I can't find the royal flush button' (wordplay on 'royal flush' and the 'flush' of a toilet) Context - Prince William visited the Civil Defence headquarters in Christchurch with Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker on the 17th March to see the damage caused by the earthquakes of the 4th September 2010 and the 22 February 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).