There has been little discussion of what archival accounting evidence can contribute to an understanding of a society’s response to a natural disaster. This article focuses on two severe earthquakes which struck New Zealand in 1929 and 1931 and makes two main contributions to accounting history. First, by discussing evidence from archival sources, it contributes to the literature on accounting in a disaster. This provides a basis for future theory building and for future comparative research related to the response to more recent natural disasters such as the 2010–11 Canterbury earthquakes. Secondly, it questions the conclusions of recently published research concerning the role of central and local government in this and recent earthquakes.
Hotel Grand Chancellor on verge of collapse but still standing after the 6.3 magnitude quake hit Christchurch on 22 February 2011 because of concrete being poured into the lower floors.
Taken one week after the 6.3 magnitude quake hit Christchurch 22 February 2011. Processed in HDR. We stood near here during the 2 minute silence observed by all New Zealanders.
The footpath besides ANZAC Drive and the Bexley Wetlands. Liquefaction silt from well underground has flowed to the surface. Photo taken less than three hours after the 4:35am earthquake.
A photograph of workers in fluorescent vests outside Alice in Videoland. The photograph was taken on 29 April 2011 during the Residential Access Project which gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of a letter on display in the Canterbury Quakes exhibition at the Canterbury Museum. The letter was found in a time capsule in the plinth of the statue of John Robert Godley in Cathedral Square after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Leopard Buses have bought some old ex-Auckland buses to cover a shortfall caused by the earthquake. New buses from ordered from Designline are delayed after the Rolleston-based firm's production was interrupted. John Belcher of Riccarton Signs works on covering up the old colours".
Maddie Leach and Jem Noble, collaborators on I was using six watts when you Received me... The broadcast of sounds that are special to the city but were lost after the earthquakes are part of the SCAPE Public Art Biennial which starts in Christchurch this Friday.
More pressure on interested bidders in the Pike River mine to recover the bodies, from both the government and unions. The government's new plan to strengthen infrastructure after the Canterbury earthquakes, it's already criticised for not going far enough and the AA again attacks petrol companies for not cutting prices, despite falling oil prices.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Gina Guthrie gets her present from Santa (played by Peter Leitch, the Mad Butcher, after he arrived in the police helicopter on Motuihe Island where Gina and 30 other disadvantaged earthquake victims from Christchurch spent the day courtesy of Westpac)".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Gina Guthrie gets her present from Santa (played by Peter Leitch, the Mad Butcher, after he arrived in the police helicopter on Motuihe Island where Gina and 30 other disadvantaged earthquake victims from Christchurch spent the day courtesy of Westpac)".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Phil Thorn has won a trip to Singapore after being nominated by Diane Smith for help he gave during the earthquake. Pictured on his way to doing one of his many neighbourly tasks: digging lillies out of Dianne Smith and Heather Smith's pond".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Phil Thorn has won a trip to Singapore after being nominated by Diane Smith for help he gave during the earthquake. Pictured on his way to doing one of his many neighbourly tasks: digging lillies out of Dianne Smith and Heather Smith's pond".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Phil Thorn has won a trip to Singapore after being nominated by Diane Smith for help he gave during the earthquake. Pictured on his way to doing one of his many neighbourly tasks: digging lillies out of Dianne Smith and Heather Smith's pond".
Male mammals don't stay monogamous to produce fitter offspring, instead they do it for love and to protect their partner; Edward Snowden granted temporary asylum in Russia; Parking companies in central Wellington increase fees after earthquakes; and tours of Christchurch's Red Zone started this week.
The woman who fought the odds to regain her mobility after being trapped and crushed in her collapsed work place, the PGC building, when Christchurch was devastated by the earthquake of February 22. She is now helping other quake victims, especially the children of injured parents some of who have had long periods of separation.
A video about the Christchurch central city in the days after the 4 September 2010 earthquake. The video includes footage of empty streets, and New Zealand Police and Army members guarding the cordons. It also includes footage of engineers checking the safety of buildings.
Displaced residents of Merivale Retirement village in Christchurch were told that they need to move out by April 1. A new facility that has replaced the earthquake damaged one won't have enough beds for everyone. The CEO of Age Concern Canterbury Simon Templeton talks about what measures are in place to look after these vulnerable elderly people.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "School's out! Pupils from St Pauls School leave their temporary campus at Catholic Cathedral College for the summer holidays. The Dallington Catholic school pupils have had a hell of a time after their school was badly damaged in the 4 September earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "The Brooklands area is having a street party to lift their spirits as their area is a mess after the September 4 M7.1 earthquake. Antonio Rodrigues and his three year-old son, also called Antonio, watch a band at the Brookland party".
A video of an interview with Joe Bennett, columnist and Lyttelton resident, about his experiences during the 22 February 2011 earthquake, and his hopes for post-quake Christchurch. This video was part of The Press's 'Christchurch, one year after February 22, 2011' series.
A video of an interview with Tania and Paddy McKay from Darfield about how their lives have changed a year after the 4 September 2010 earthquake. This video is part of The Press's 'One Year On: September 4, 2010' series.
A video of an interview with Hororata residents Tish Ballagh and Vicar Jenni Carter about remaining positive a year after the 4 September 2010 damaged their town. This video is part of The Press's 'One Year On: September 4, 2010' series.
A video of Principal Richard Patton announcing to staff and students that Chisnallwood Intermediate is to remain open. Chisnallwood is one of thirteen schools which the Ministry of Education planned to close after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of the former site of the house at 432 Oxford Street. The house was demolished after the land was zoned Red. Grass has begun to grow over the site. The houses in the neighbouring sites have also been demolished.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Pritrica Martin helps out with sorting donated clothing and bedding at the Linwood Welfare Centre set up in the Linwood College Hall. Her extended family of 31 spread across four houses have all been accommodated at the centre after all their houses were condemned".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch Earthquake. Shops on the corner of Cranford Street and Westminster Street were torn down this afternoon as they had been deemed too dangerous after Saturday's earthquake in Christchurch. Lindsay Troo owner of Altron TV repair shop talks about his loss".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch Earthquake. University student Sam Johnson organised through Facebook students to go into the suburbs to help residents clean up after Saturday morning's earthquake. They gathered in Halswell to help residents clean up the silt from their properties. James Litchwark shoves dirt".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Kay Currey and husband, Tom Bestor, have Kay's daughter, Pam Hamilton-Currey's family of five under the roof of their two bedroom home after Saturday's earthquake destroyed their home. Oliver, 8, Tom, Ethan, 12, Brae, 7, Pam and husband, Shane Hamilton".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Kay Currey and husband, Tom Bestor, have Kay's daughter, Pam Hamilton-Currey's family of five under the roof of their two bedroom home after Saturday's earthquake destroyed their home. Oliver, 8, Tom, Ethan, 12, Brae, 7, Pam and husband, Shane Hamilton".