The story so far

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

As life-changing experiences go, the earthquake on 22 February 2011 was fairly significant. On the one hand, our house was red-zoned (but still liveable), friends lost their lives and the city lost many of the old buildings that, for me, … Continue reading →

Terra Forma: viewing Christchurch’s changing landscape through painting

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

At the encouragement of one of our resident artists/art historians/cyber archaeologists, Annthalina, I took a visit to the newly-reopened Te Puna O Waiwhetu Christchurch Art Gallery over the weekend.[1] Annthalina knows I love landscapes, both the painty-brushy kind, and the … Continue read...

How to read a landscape

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Some of you might have been to the St James Conservation Area, a remote and beautiful area managed by the Department of Conservation. You might have been cycling or walking there, or you might have been drawn by the romance … Continue reading →

The fascist punishment: a foul taste used for foul purposes

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

It’s made from plant seeds named for their resemblance to a tick and has been known through history as the ‘golden nectar of nausea’ and the ‘fascist punishment’, among other things. When combined with chlorine, it forms a “a substance … Continue reading →

The bitter waters of archaeology

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

This week on the blog, we delve – or dive, even (sorry, I can already tell you that this post will be filled with water puns) – into the bitter waters of the 19th century, by which I mean mineral … Continue reading →

A century of good old country living (or the archaeology of an old farm ho…

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

In 1874 this modest two-storey farm house was built on the outskirts of Christchurch. It’s not the sort of house we normally see in Christchurch, in part because of its age, but also because it was built as a farm house, … Continue reading →

Majestical mountains

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

In the beginning there was no Te Wai Pounamu or Aotearoa. The waters of Kiwa rolled over the place now occupied by the South Island, the North Island and Stewart Island. No sign of land existed. Before Raki (the Sky … Continue reading →

Just kidding around

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Presenting a selection of children’s ceramic plates and cups excavated in Christchurch for your perusal, with commentary. Jessie Garland References Riley, Noel., 1991. Gifts for Good Children: The History of Children’s China, Part 1, 1790-1890. Richard Dennis, Somerset.

Tool academy: Māori artefacts from Redcliffs

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Kia ora, Recently we had some great finds from Te Rae Kura/Redcliffs. Unbeknownst to many folks making their daily commute along the Port Hills’ Main Road, a nationally significant Māori archaeological site lies beneath their car wheels, capped by hard … Continue reading →

Archaeological challenges in the Hundred Acre Wood

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Hello everyone! Belated happy new year and welcome back. We’ve decided to begin the year by talking about problems (just to start on a positive note). Well, sort of. We’re participating in an international round-up of blog posts this month … Continue reading →

Ironing out the creases

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Sometimes we come across such a spectacular artefact, that we are inspired to look a little deeper into the historical industry from which it was used. The discovery of a charcoal clothes iron got me thinking about the domestic lives … Continue reading →

Tram vs Bus in 1930s Crush

Articles, Lost Christchurch

The busiest intersection in the central city heaves under a rush of pedestrians, buses, trams, cyclists and private motor cars, pushing passed each other as they head for various parts of the city.

A Great Pilgrimage Over the Clouds

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Imagine an event so exciting, so spectacular, that 38 trains were required travelling at 28 minute intervals to convey curious sightseers to Lyttelton in order to witness it. The roads from Christc…

Was Christchurch the birthplace of Mary Poppins?

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Almost a century ago, the story of Mary Poppins and the Match-Man was published for the first time – in Christchurch’s afternoon newspaper, The Sun. But how did the story of the world’s most famous…

Alpine Fault quake would severely damage Canterbury

Audio, Radio New Zealand

New research says Canterbury would suffer severe damage in an Alpine Fault earthquake.

Christchurch mental health services struggle with demand

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The number of emergency psychiatric assessments in Christchurch has more than doubled since the earthquakes struck.

Christchurch earthquake class action heads to court

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A class action taken by 40 Canterbury earthquake claimants against Southern Response heads to court tomorrow.

Canterbury mental health worries dominate committee debate

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Worries about the mental health impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes dominated a fiery meeting at Parliament today.

Christchurch's Bridge of Remembrance reopens

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People can walk over Christchurch's Bridge of Remembrance once again, after nearly seven million dollars in earthquake repairs.

Bill Perry Safety Award winners

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A document which summarises each winning Bill Perry Safety Award submission.

Christchurch's Divine Cakes rebuilds post quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Divine Cakes in Christchurch has had a tough past five years building up again after the 2011 earthquakes.

Insight for 31 January 2016 - Christchurch 5 Years On

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Belinda McCammon tracks progress in Christchurch 5 years after the earthquake that killed 185 people

Business group attacks rebuild slow-down

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch's leading business group is criticising city council plans to slow down its earthquake rebuild programme. Conan Young reports.

Earthquake Recovery Minister reacts to call for inquiry

Audio, Radio New Zealand

After calls for an inquiry into Christchurch home repairs, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee joins Checkpoint.

Gloucester Street bridge - video

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video which describes the history of the bridge and SCIRT's repair methodology.

Tower counts cost of earthquakes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Insurance company Tower says yesterday's earthquake in North Canterbury will cost it a maximum of just over seven million dollars.

150 yr-old tree felled for CHCH memorial

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Should a 150 year-old tree have been cut down to make way for Christchurch's earthquake memorial?

Chch social enterprises not losing momentum

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The grass roots organisations that sprang up after the 2011 Canterbury earthquake are showing little sign of fading away.

SCIRT Health and Safety Policy - February 2016

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

The SCIRT Health and Safety Policy, revised in February 2016.

SCIRT Memento Book

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A PDF version of the memento book created for those who contributed to the SCIRT programme.