The question of whether forced relocation is beneficial or detrimental to the displaced households is a controversial and important policy question. After the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, the government designated some of the worst affected areas as Residential Red Zones. Around 20,000 people were forced to move out of these Residential Red Zone areas, and were compensated for that. The objective of this paper is twofold. First, we aim to estimate the impact of relocation on the displaced households in terms of their income, employment, and their mental and physical health. Second, we evaluate whether the impact of relocation varies by the timing of to move, the destination (remaining within the Canterbury region or moving out of it) and demographic factors (gender, age, ethnicity). StatisticsNZ’s Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) from 2008 to 2017, which includes data on all households in Canterbury, and a difference-in-difference (DID) technique is used to answer these questions. We find that relocation has a negative impact on the income of the displaced household group. This adverse impact is more severe for later movers. Compared to the control group (that was not relocated), the income of relocated households was reduced by 3% for people who moved immediately after the earthquake in 2011, and 14% for people who moved much later in 2015.
A PhD student from the United States who moved to Canterbury to study earthquakes says his firsthand experience in Christchurch has been extremely useful.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch earthquake. Kate Shephard rest home prepare to move some residents out as home is no longer livable".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Civil Defence centre has now moved from the Christchurch Art Gallery to the new civil offices in Hereford Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Civil Defence centre has now moved from the Christchurch Art Gallery to the new civil offices in Hereford Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Civil Defence centre has now moved from the Christchurch Art Gallery to the new civil offices in Hereford Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Civil Defence centre has now moved from the Christchurch Art Gallery to the new civil offices in Hereford Street".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Civil Defence centre has now moved from the Christchurch Art Gallery to the new civil offices in Hereford Street".
A further round of fraud cases sent to the police by the Earthquake Commission may just be the beginning as the rebuild of Christchurch moves into high gear.
How do you help your children understand the gravity of the Christchurch earthquake without them becoming too frightened or overwhelmed, and helping those children who've experienced the quake to move on.
Former Christchurch restaurateur James Jameson ran a cafe in the Christchurch Arts Centre until the Canterbury earthquakes of 2011. Last year, James moved to Mt Lyford – the area hit hard and isolated by this month's earthquakes.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Canterbury earthquake. People look at what was once a straight section of Telegraph Road that moved sideways by 3 metres".
After the Christchurch earthquakes, Daniel and Sarah Jenkins decided to pack up everything they own and move to Kaikoura. They opened Kaikoura Cheese and talked to our reporter Max Towle about getting the shop rolling again
Elderly and ill people evacuated from Christchurch to Nelson after the February earthquake are having to move for a second time, following the sudden closure of a rest home in Nelson.
The clock on New Regent Street. A crack runs down the edge of the parapet, showing how the buildings have moved. The clock has stopped at the time of the earthquake.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "In limbo: Hayley (10) and dad Willy Young remain upbeat despite their home suffering earthquake damage. They want to move ahead with their lives".
Christchurch homeowners are taking the Earthquake Commission to court for not doing enough to fix their homes, and a move by Crimean MPs to join Russia has been declared illegal by the European Union and the US.
Having moved to Joshua Tree after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, husband-and-wife duo Maryrose and Brian Crook are back on home soil for a string of shows with their swirling psychedelic-rock act The Renderers.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Local resident Angela Mullin ponders her next move as a car sinks into sand disgorged from under the asphalt road in Flesher Avenue, Richmond".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mark and Liz Prebble of Bexley moved into their new home on Friday 3rd and are now going to live in their caravan".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mark and Liz Prebble of Bexley moved into their new home on Friday 3rd and are now going to live in their caravan".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mark and Liz Prebble of Bexley moved into their new home on Friday 3rd and are now going to live in their caravan".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Mark and Liz Prebble of Bexley moved into their new home on Friday 3rd and are now going to live in their caravan".
Another hole has appeared in the street where a building has been demolished. Selwyn Dealers next door sensibly moved all their stock away from the adjoining wall just in case.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Fred Arnesen from Beckenham Footwear and Engraving has had to move his business due to the earthquake damage to a much newer shop with higher rent".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Fred Arnesen from Beckenham Footwear and Engraving has had to move his business due to the earthquake damage to a much newer shop with higher rent".
Damage to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. On the fence is a sign that says 'Catholic Cathedral Parish. Has moved to St Mary's Pro Cathedral. 373 Mancester Street. Visitors, Tourist and Parishioners are ALL welcome. www.christchurchcathedral.org.nz'.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Fred Arnesen from Beckenham Footwear and Engraving has had to move his business due to the earthquake damage to a much newer shop with higher rent".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Civil Defence centre has now moved from the Christchurch Art Gallery to the new civil offices in Hereford Street. Christchurch mayor Bob Parker talks to the media".
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".