Meet a local town hero from Auckland's Northshore - 86-year-old Māori Warden Peggy Hughes. Peggy has been serving in her community as a volunteer for about 60 years and officially as a Māori Warden for almost 50 years. She's won dozens of awards for her services - from working at the 1981 Springbok tour protests, supporting Christchurch residents after the 2011 earthquakes, serving at many memorable Waitangi Day events to the recent Black Lives Matter protests.
Topics - A Christchurch resident says he just wants to get on with his life after his house was flooded for the ninth time since the 2011 earthquake. Fairfax newspapers today feature the story of an elderly gentleman who has been burgled so many times he's afraid to sleep in his own home. In Southland - A 72-year old woman has had her 30-year church membership revoked because she is living in a de facto relationship.
Twelve years after the CTV building collapsed during the Christchurch earthquake, families of the victims killed inside have told an engineering disciplinary hearing they want justice and accountability. 115 people died when the six-storey building came down in February 2011. A complaint against an engineer whose firm designed the building is being heard by an Engineering New Zealand disciplinary committee. Dr Alan Reay lost a High Court bid to stop the hearing. Anna Sargent reports.
This paper provides a summary of the ground motions observed in the recent Canterbury, New Zealand earthquake sequence. The sequence occurred in a region of relatively moderate seismicity, 130km to the east of the Alpine Fault, the major plate-boundary in the region. From an engineering perspective, the sequence has been primarily comprised of the initial 04/09/2010 Darfield earthquake (Mw7.1) followed by the 22/02/2011 Christchurch earthquake (Mw6.3), and two aftershocks on 13/06/ 2011 (Mw5.3 and 6.0, respectively). The dense spacing of strong motions in the region, and their close proximity to the respective causative faults, has resulted in strong ground motions far exceeding the previous catalogue of strong motion observed in New Zealand. The observed ground motions have exhibited clear evidence of: (i) near-source directivity; (ii) sedimentary basin focusing, amplification and basin effect refraction; (iii) non-linear site response; (iv) cyclic mobility postliquefaction; and (v) extreme vertical ground motions exceeding 2g, among others.
Background: We are in a period of history where natural disasters are increasing in both frequency and severity. They are having widespread impacts on communities, especially on vulnerable communities, those most affected who have the least ability to prepare or respond to a disaster. The ability to assemble and effectively manage Interagency Emergency Response Teams (IERTs) is critical to navigating the complexity and chaos found immediately following disasters. These teams play a crucial role in the multi-sectoral, multi-agency, multi-disciplinary, and inter-organisational response and are vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations such as the young, aged, and socially and medically disadvantaged in disasters. Communication is key to the smooth operation of these teams. Most studies of the communication in IERTs during a disaster have been focussed at a macro-level of examining larger scale patterns and trends within organisations. Rarely found are micro-level analyses of interpersonal communication at the critical interfaces between collaborating agencies. This study set out to understand the experiences of those working at the interagency interfaces in an IERT set up by the Canterbury District Health Board to respond to the needs of the vulnerable people in the aftermath of the destructive earthquakes that hit Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2010-11. The aim of the study was to gain insights about the complexities of interpersonal communication (micro-level) involved in interagency response coordination and to generate an improved understanding into what stabilises the interagency communication interfaces between those agencies responding to a major disaster. Methods: A qualitative case study research design was employed to investigate how interagency communication interfaces were stabilised at the micro-level (“the case”) in the aftermath of the destructive earthquakes that hit Canterbury in 2010-11 (“the context”). Participant recruitment was undertaken by mapping which agencies were involved within the IERT and approaching representatives from each of these agencies. Data was collected via individual interviews using a semi-structured interview guide and was based on the “Critical Incident Technique”. Subsequently, data was transcribed verbatim and subjected to inductive analysis. This was underpinned theoretically by Weick’s “Interpretive Approach” and supported by Nvivo qualitative data analysis software. Results: 19 participants were interviewed in this study. Out of the inductive analysis emerged two primary themes, each with several sub-factors. The first major theme was destabilising/disruptive factors of interagency communication with five sub-factors, a) conflicting role mandates, b) rigid command structures, c) disruption of established communication structures, d) lack of shared language and understanding, and e) situational awareness disruption. The second major theme stabilising/steadying factors in interagency communication had four sub-factors, a) the establishment of the IERT, b) emergent novel communication strategies, c) establishment of a liaison role and d) pre-existing networks and relationships. Finally, there was a third sub-level identified during inductive analysis, where sub-factors from both primary themes were noted to be uniquely interconnected by emergent “consequences” arising out of the disaster context. Finally, findings were synthesised into a conceptual “Model of Interagency Communication at the Micro-level” based on this case study of the Canterbury earthquake disaster response. Discussion: The three key dimensions of The People, The Connections and The Improvisations served as a framework for the discussion of what stabilises interagency communication interfaces in a major disaster. The People were key to stabilising the interagency interfaces through functioning as a flexible conduit, guiding and navigating communication at the interagency interfaces and improving situational awareness. The Connections provided the collective competence, shared decision-making and prior established relationships that stabilised the micro-level communication at interagency interfaces. And finally, The Improvisations i.e., novel ideas and inventiveness that emerge out of rapidly changing post-disaster environments, also contributed to stabilisation of micro-level communication flows across interagency interfaces in the disaster response. “Command and control” hierarchical structures do provide clear processes and structures for teams working in disasters to follow. However, improvisations and novel solutions are also needed and often emerge from first responders (who are best placed to assess the evolving needs in a disaster where there is a high degree of uncertainty). Conclusion: This study highlights the value of incorporating an interface perspective into any study that seeks to understand the processes of IERTs during disaster responses. It also strengthens the requirement for disaster management frameworks to formally plan for and to allow for the adaptive responsiveness of local teams on the ground, and legitimise and recognise the improvisations of those in the role of emergent boundary spanners in a disaster response. This needs to be in addition to existing formal disaster response mechanisms. This study provides a new conceptual model that can be used to guide future case studies exploring stability at the interfaces of other IERTs and highlights the centrality of communication in the experiences of members of teams in the aftermath of a disaster. Utilising these new perspectives on stabilising communication at the interagency interfaces in disaster responses will have practical implications in the future to better serve the needs of vulnerable people who are at greatest risk of adverse outcomes in a disaster.
A photograph of a sign on the window of a fish and chip shop on London Street in Lyttelton. The sign reads, "Sorry we can't open. I want to work but they tell me not safe and may be 6 months or more. I am sad I need to work. Everybody has big problem so sorry for you and me. Keep safe. Phyong fish and chip owner".
St John Ambulance personnel preparing an oxygen mask while standing over a stretcher loaded with medical supplies. Behind them, emergency personnel can be seen searching the ruins of the collapsed Canterbury Television Building on Madras Street for trapped people. Over their heads, a member of the Fire Service in a cherry picker is spraying water on the fire burning in the building. Smoke is billowing from the building.
A photograph of a block of damaged shops on the corner of Gloucester Street and Woodham Road. The top of the façade has crumbled. The bricks have fallen to the ground and taken the awnings with them. Wire fencing has been placed around the buildings as a cordon. Signs on the fences indicated that the T Bakery and Red Chilli are open.
A St John Ambulance personnel preparing an oxygen mask while standing over a stretcher loaded with medical supplies. Behind him, emergency personnel can be seen searching the ruins of the collapsed Canterbury Television Building for on Madras Street for trapped people. Fire Service personnel have sprayed a jet of water onto the fire burning in the intact section of the building. Smoke is billowing from the building.
Damaged buildings along London Street. Wire fencing has been used to keep people away. From the left are the Volcano Cafe, the Lava Bar, a fish and chip shop, and the Coastal Living Design Store. Rubble from the side of the Volcano Cafe can be seen along the Canterbury Street footpath.
Several vehicles on Gloucester Street which have been crushed by falling masonry from Wave House (Winnie Bagoes Gourmet Pizza Bar). Emergency personnel have spray painted two of the cars with the word "Clear" to indicate they have been checked for trapped or injured people. The scene has been cordoned off by New Zealand Fire Service tape.
Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Tim Manning, briefing members of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) upon their arrival in Christchurch to assist with search and rescue efforts.
Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Tim Manning, briefing members of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) upon their arrival in Christchurch to assist with search and rescue efforts.
A view across Wakefield Avenue in Sumner to several local businesses, including Sumner Asian Restaurant, KB's Bakery, Harcourt's and The Ruptured Duck Pizzeria and Bar. Metal pipes can be seen bracing the balcony and walls of the building housing Harcourt's and The Ruptured Duck. The building has been cordoned off by a safety fence, and large cracks are visible in its walls and cornice.
Shoppers and tourists in the Re:Start mall. The photographer comments, "The new temporary city mall has been open in Christchurch now for a week. Buildings damaged in the earthquake have been demolished and replaced with cargo containers to create a new, temporary, Cashel Mall. I visited the mall yesterday and was quite impressed with what they have done. The cargo containers have been nicely converted, brightly painted and smartly branded to create some good looking stores".
Thousands of Christchurch refugees have poured into Timaru since the earthquake on February 22, boosting its population by nearly 20 per cent. Social services are giving out hundreds of food parcels, blankets, toiletries and clothes every day as well as finding accommodation for people who have turned up in town with nothing. Major Dean Herring of the Salvation Army in Timaru has been helping evacuees find places to live as well as dealing with the huge piles of donated goods.
A damaged car sits on top of the rubble of the Bealey Pharmacy. The photographer comments, "Bealey Avenue is open to traffic, as are many of the side streets, and the damage to buildings along this street is quite impressive and perhaps just a small taste of the damage that lies beyond the cordon ... A new feature now also appears to be a large pile of rubble with a new looking red Holden placed on top. Weird".
The north-west end of the Arts Centre on the corner of Rolleston Avenue and Worcester Boulevard. The tip of the gable is missing as well as the spire which has been removed and braced on the footpath to limit damage. Wire fencing and road cones have been placed around the building as a cordon. In the distance, a crane is working on the building.
Large piles of liquefaction silt at a dump on Breezes Road. One of the piles is covered with black plastic and weighted down with tyres. Trucks and diggers are adding more silt to the piles. The photographer comments, "Breezes Road and Anzac Drive have recently opened but are now home to a brand new range of hills thanks to mountains of silt that have been collected by the hard working construction guys that have done a sterling job on the road there".
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Carlton Hotel on the corner of Bealey Avenue and Papanui Road. The walls along the western side of the building have crumbled, bricks spilling onto the footpath. Scaffolding and steel bracing has been erected up the side. Wire fencing has been placed around the building as a cordon. In the foreground, road cones line the street.
Members of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team Lei Zhang and Jess Hollis in their temporary office in the University Printery building. The photographer comments, "The University restarts its teaching, and the techies in e-learning move out of NZi3. Our end of the temporary office; Lei, my desk in the corner, Jess in the other corner (with a window to the admin/reception desk between us), Paul's desk right foreground. (He's home with a cold.)
A photograph of the earthquake damage to Knox Church on the corner of Bealey Avenue and Victoria Street. The walls of the gables have crumbled, the bricks falling onto the footpath. Many have been cleared away and now sit in a pile on the road. Road cones, metal fences, and cordon tape have been placed around the building.
A photograph of women sewing felt badges outside the Christchurch City Library in Lyttelton. The felt hearts were a healing outlet during the Canterbury earthquakes. The goal was to create beauty in the midst of chaos, to keep people's hands busy and their minds off the terrifying reality of the earthquakes, as well as to give a gift of love to workers and businesses who helped improve life in Lyttelton.
A photograph of a large trench at the entrance to a street in Christchurch. There is water and liquefaction in the trench. Road cones have been placed around it as a warning. In the background, two personnel from the New Zealand Army are guarding the entrance to the street. They are wearing their army uniforms and high-visibility vests.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the corner of Woodham Road and Avonside Drive. There are large cracks in the road, and flooding and liquefaction. Wire fencing and road cones have been placed around parts of the road that are unsafe. Two signs reading, "Road closed" and, "No entry" can be seen at the entrance to Avonside Drive.
A damaged car sits on top of the rubble of the Bealey Pharmacy. The photographer comments, "Bealey Avenue is open to traffic, as are many of the side streets, and the damage to buildings along this street is quite impressive and perhaps just a small taste of the damage that lies beyond the cordon ... A new feature now also appears to be a large pile of rubble with a new looking red Holden placed on top. Weird".
A damaged car sits on top of the rubble of the Bealey Pharmacy. The photographer comments, "Bealey Avenue is open to traffic, as are many of the side streets, and the damage to buildings along this street is quite impressive and perhaps just a small taste of the damage that lies beyond the cordon ... A new feature now also appears to be a large pile of rubble with a new looking red Holden placed on top. Weird".
A damaged car sits on top of the rubble of the Bealey Pharmacy. The photographer comments, "Bealey Avenue is open to traffic, as are many of the side streets, and the damage to buildings along this street is quite impressive and perhaps just a small taste of the damage that lies beyond the cordon ... A new feature now also appears to be a large pile of rubble with a new looking red Holden placed on top. Weird".
A damaged car sits on top of the rubble of the Bealey Pharmacy. The photographer comments, "Bealey Avenue is open to traffic, as are many of the side streets, and the damage to buildings along this street is quite impressive and perhaps just a small taste of the damage that lies beyond the cordon ... A new feature now also appears to be a large pile of rubble with a new looking red Holden placed on top. Weird".
A damaged car sits on top of the rubble of the Bealey Pharmacy. The photographer comments, "Bealey Avenue is open to traffic, as are many of the side streets, and the damage to buildings along this street is quite impressive and perhaps just a small taste of the damage that lies beyond the cordon ... A new feature now also appears to be a large pile of rubble with a new looking red Holden placed on top. Weird".