The Canterbury earthquake is taking a toll on the mental health of people in the region. 30% more people in Christchurch are requesting treatment for anxiety, depression and addiction, compared with usual numbers.
Christchurch homeowner Bob Burnett says lengthy delays in resolving his earthquake insurance claim is destroying his finances and affecting his kids' health. He's calling for a Royal Commission into the conduct of the insurance sector.
A photograph of a kitchen in the Diabetes Centre. The panelling has been removed from the wall of the kitchen, exposing the wooden frame and several pipes and wires.
A photograph of a vacuum cleaner in the Diabetes Centre. A sign reading, "S.N.A.G. Sensitive new age guy!!!" has been hung from the vacuum cleaner's head.
A photograph of the wooden frame of a wall in the Diabetes Centre. The panelling has been removed from the wall, exposing the frame and several pipes and wires underneath.
A story written by Debbie Rawiri, Maori Diabetes Nurse Specialist at the Christchurch Diabetes Centre, about her experiences of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of several panels hanging from the ceiling of the Diabetes Centre. The panelling has been taken off the wall to the right, exposing the wooden structure beneath.
A photograph of Knox Church on Bealey Avenue. Much of the brick wall is missing, exposing the wooden framing of the gables and the inside of the church.
A photograph of the site of a demolished building on Papanui Road near Merivale Mall. Wire fencing has been placed in front of the site as a cordon.
The Youth Shop, parth of the emerging Youth Hub on Barbadoes Street. The Youth Hub aims to be a one-stop-shop for youth to address their health, education, employment, volunteering, justice and welfare needs.
A photograph of a vacuum cleaner in the Diabetes Centre. A sign reading, "S.N.A.G. Sensitive new age guy!!!" has been hung from the vacuum cleaner's head.
The Youth Shop, parth of the emerging Youth Hub on Barbadoes Street. The Youth Hub aims to be a one-stop-shop for youth to address their health, education, employment, volunteering, justice and welfare needs.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 12 September 2011, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 15 August 2011, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Tony Ryall (left), Minister of Health, visits Christchurch Hospital to get a status report on how it is coping. Pictured with David Meates, Hospital CBHD Chief Executive".
A photograph of the stairwell of the Diabetes Centre on Hagley Avenue. The hand rail on the right side has been removed from the wall and placed on the stairs while the walls are fixed and repainted. The gib has been removed from the facing wall.
A photograph of members of the Diabetes Centre team working in an office. New gib board has been partly installed on the wall behind them. There is dust from the construction on the carpet.
A photograph of a room in the Diabetes Centre which has been prepared for repainting. Plastic sheeting has been placed over the carpet and the cracks in the pillar have been filled with epoxy resin.
A photograph of the stairwell of the Diabetes Centre on Hagley Avenue. The hand rail on the left side has been removed from the wall and placed on the stairs while the walls are fixed and repainted. The gib has been removed from the facing wall.
A photograph of members of the Diabetes Centre team working in an office. New gib board has been partly installed on the wall behind them. There is dust from the construction on the carpet.
A photograph of an opened filing cabinet at the Diabetes Centre on Hagley Avenue. The filing cabinet opened during the 4 September 2010 earthquake. There are also cracks in the wall to the right.
Questions to Ministers 1. Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: What was the combined increase in the value of the Crown's equity in Meridian, Mighty River Power, Solid Energy, Genesis and Air New Zealand for each of the last five years? 2. SIMON BRIDGES to the Minister of Finance: How did Budget 2011 continue the Government's programme to build faster growth, higher incomes and more jobs? 3. Hon MARYAN STREET to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Have all recent actions of New Zealand's diplomats been consistent with Government policy? 4. Hon TAU HENARE to the Minister of Health: What reports has he received about improved access to dialysis for patients in Auckland and Waitemata? 5. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister of Finance: Will the Government have to borrow further to pay for the latest Christchurch earthquakes? 6. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Health: Does he agree with the statement of the Auditor-General, "Despite the encouraging improvements made in the last 10 years, we do not yet have a system for scheduled services that can demonstrate national consistency and equitable treatment for all"? 7. AMY ADAMS to the Minister for the Environment: What steps has the Government taken to facilitate resource consents for work required at the Lyttelton Port to ensure it is able to recover quickly from earthquake damage? 8. JACINDA ARDERN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by the statement made on his behalf that "this Government is focused on improvements within the economy in order to create the platform on which business and New Zealanders can invest and grow jobs"? 9. TE URUROA FLAVELL to the Minister of Health: Does he agree that under section 118 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the Medical Council has a responsibility to ensure the cultural competence of doctors, and what support has the Government provided to the health sector to ensure cultural competence is achieved across the health sector? 10. DAVID SHEARER to the Minister of Science and Innovation: Does he agree with Professor Sir Paul Callaghan's statement on science and innovation "it's clear that the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister have not really seen this as a top priority"? 11. CHESTER BORROWS to the Minister of Justice: What progress is being made on preparations for the referendum on the electoral system to be held in conjunction with this year's general election? 12. Hon RICK BARKER to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs: When can veterans expect to have a full response from the Government in response to the Law Commission's report "A New Support Scheme for Veterans"?
For 150,000 Christchurch school students, the 12.51 pm earthquake of 22 February 2011 shattered their normal lunch time activities and thrust their teachers into the role of emergency first responders. Whether helping students (children) escape immediate danger, or identifying and managing the best strategies for keeping children safe, including provision of extended caregiving when parents were unable to return to school to retrieve their children, teachers had to manage their own fears and trauma reactions in order to appear calm and prevent further distress for the children in their care. Only then did teachers return to their families. Eighteen months later, twenty teachers from across Christchurch, were interviewed. At 12.51pm, the teachers were essentially first responders. Using their usual methods for presenting a calm and professional image, the teachers’ emotion regulation (ER) strategies for managing their immediate fears were similar to those of professional first responders, with similar potential for subsequent burnout and negative emotional effects. Teachers’ higher emotional exhaustion and burnout 18 months later, were associated with school relocation. Lower burnout was associated with more emotional awareness, ER and perceived support. Consistent with international research, teachers’ use of cognitive reappraisal (re-thinking a situation) was an effective ER strategy, but this may not prevent teachers’ emotional resources from eventually becoming depleted. Teachers fulfill an important role in supporting children’s psychosocial adjustment following a natural disaster. However, as also acknowledged in international research, we need to also focus on supporting the teachers themselves.
The September 2010 Canterbury and February 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and associated aftershocks have shown that the isolator displacement in Christchurch Women's Hospital (Christchurch City's only base-isolated structure) was significantly less than expected. Occupant accounts of the events have also indicated that the accelerations within the hospital superstructure were larger than would usually be expected within a base-isolated structure and that residual low-level shaking lasts for a longer period of time following the strong-motion of an event than for non-isolated structures.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Tony Ryall, Minister of Health, visits Christchurch Hospital to get a status report on how it is coping. Pictured with staff at the Emergency Control Centre at the hospital".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Tony Ryall, Minister of Health, visits Christchurch hospital to get a status report on how it is coping. Pictured with staff at the Emergency Control Centre at the hospital".
A photograph of a room in the Diabetes Centre. The panelling has been removed from the walls, exposing the wooden framing, insulation, and wires underneath. Tarpaulins have been draped over the furniture.
A photograph of a room in the Diabetes Centre. The panelling has been taken off the walls, exposing the wooden framing, insulation, and wires. There is a step ladder in the corner.
A story written by Lupesiliva Tuulua, Pacific Island Diabetes Nurse Educator at the Christchurch Diabetes Centre, about her experiences of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of members of the Diabetes Centre team entering the Diabetes Centre a few days after the 4 September 2010 earthquake. In the background, a circular saw is mounted on a saw horse.