Almost 200 workers in Christchurch have lost their jobs with the closure of the Canterbury Spinners Plant - which the owners say was so badly damaged in last month's earthquake that it is beyond repair.
Former editor of the Financial Times, and more recently was director general of the Confederation of British Industry, Sir Richard is New Zealand looking at earthquake recovery in Christchurch and to speak about climate change in a business context.
When Christchurch couple Maree Mockford and Bruce Vincent's home was badly damaged by the February earthquake they shifted into a caravan on their property. Six months later they're still roughing it, using a chemical toilet and showering off site.
The first of Christchurch's high-rise buildings to close after the February earthquake has reopened. All the tenants of the12-storey HSBC Tower are now back in the building which has been extensively checked by engineering experts.
Workers at the Sockburn meat works in Christchurch say the announcement that the plant will close at the end of the season is a double blow after a year of coping with the aftermath of earthquakes.
Rolleston is a town in the Selwyn District of Canterbury, just outside the Christchurch City boundary. It was close to the epicenter of the September earthquake last year, but suffered little damage because it sits on very stable rock.
A photograph submitted by Philip Broderick Willis to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "Christchurch National Memorial Service – watching videos of the Central City, which most of us had not seen anything of in months.".
A photograph of part of the Orzeit/Local Time exhibition. The photographs in the exhibition are displayed on the wall of a building.
A photograph of the Orzeit/Local Time exhibition. The photographs in the exhibition are displayed on the wall of a building.
A view down Montreal Street with the Christchurch Art Gallery on the left. On the gallery forecourt is the sculpture "Reasons for Voyaging", a collaboration between Canterbury sculptor, Graham Bennett and architect, David Cole.
A house undergoing renovations has exposed building frames and structures. Aprons hanging from the fence depict the Cathedral drawn in the style of the Edmonds Baking Powder logo, with the slogan "Christchurch, sure to rise".
A house undergoing renovations has exposed building frames and structures. Aprons hanging from the fence depict the Cathedral drawn in the style of the Edmonds Baking Powder logo, with the slogan "Christchurch, sure to rise".
The Christchurch Art Gallery, with a Police car parked on the road in front. On the forecourt of the gallery is the sculpture "Reasons for Voyaging", a collaboration between Canterbury sculptor, Graham Bennett and architect, David Cole.
A man making notes on a map of the Botanic Gardens outside the Robert McDougall Art Gallery. Cracks can be seen in the footpath to his left.
A photograph of emergency tape cordoning off a wall on the edge of the site of the 'Words of Hope' event.
Members of the of the Royal New Zealand Navy unloading a digger from the HMNZS Canterbury.
Gold Award presented to Jade Rutherford and Gina Scandrett, the 'voices' of the Student Volunteer Army, who co-ordinated and tracked all jobs and movements of the organisation. Jade is from Tauranga and Gina is from Christchurch.
The road, driveway and footpath are covered in silt from liquefaction on Papanui Road. In the background is the Christchurch Chinese Methodist Church, which has had its spire removed so restoration work can be carried out.
Note the innovative use of hay bales on the left side of the image.
The aftermath of three earthquakes has forced Christchurch to re-plan and rebuild. New perspectives of a sustainable city have arisen granting Christchurch the chance of becoming an example to the world. This work is centred on bioclimatic landscape design as a base for greening strategies. It deals with strategic landscape design adapted to a specific climate, from a user’s perspective. The investigation will be applied to Christchurch’s urban centres, assessing cultural adaptability to the local climate and implications for landscape design. Climatic data shows that humidity is not a local problem. However, the wind is the determinant. In Christchurch the solar radiation and the prevailing winds are the most important microclimatic variables, the latter intensifying the loss of surface heat, decreasing the radiant temperature and affecting thermal sensation. The research objective is to explore design parameters at the street-scale and identify ways to maximise thermal comfort in outdoor spaces through design-based strategies. The investigation will apply methods of participant observation, depth interviews, climatic data collection and design experimentation based on thermal comfort models and computer simulation tools. Case study sites chosen for investigation are places with current levels of activity that may be anticipated in the rebuild of the central city. The research will have two main outcomes: improved understanding of local urban culture adaptation to microclimate, and a demonstration of how design can enhance adaption. These outcomes will inform designers and city managers about good design practices and strategies that can be used to ensure a long term liveable city.
A powhiri performed by Ngai Tahu elders to welcome workers of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). Reverend Peter Beck is standing in the centre and Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee to the left. The ceremony was held in Burwood Park.
Christchurch-based technician, Nick Brown, and Ralph Moore, Deputy Task Force Leader for New Zealand Search and Rescue, talking to the press. Nick and Ralph were part of the USAR team working on the Cathedral and Press Buildings after the earthquake.
Christchurch-based technician, Nick Brown, and Ralph Moore, Deputy Task Force Leader for New Zealand Search and Rescue, talking to the press. Nick and Ralph were part of the USAR team working on the Cathedral and Press Buildings after the earthquake.
Christchurch-based technician, Nick Brown, and Ralph Moore, Deputy Task Force Leader for New Zealand Search and Rescue, talking to the press. Nick and Ralph were part of the USAR team working on the Cathedral and Press Buildings after the earthquake.
A photograph of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. There are cracks in the masonry of the tower near where the two storeys join. The cracks formed as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake. Wire fencing has been placed at the entrance to the courtyard in front as a cordon.
A photograph of the Christchurch Arts Centre taken from Rolleston Avenue. A spire has been removed from one of the towers and braced on the footpath in front of the building. Wire fencing and road cones have been used to cordon off one side of the road.
Christchurch-based technician, Nick Brown, and Ralph Moore, Deputy Task Force Leader for New Zealand Search and Rescue, talking to the press. Nick and Ralph were part of the USAR team working on the Cathedral and Press Buildings after the earthquake.
A photograph of the former Central Library on Gloucester Street. The entrance has been boarded up with plywood and the footpath is covered in dead leaves. To the left, a sign reading 'Library Open' is still standing outside.
A sign on a fence in Bexley reads "17 19 21. We are all home, smiling, staying positive, looking forward, A.J. included." The photographer comments, "These three neighbour families in the Bexley Christchurch red zone are all great friends. They are so fond of each other that they want to buy a big parcel of land and then build three homes next to each other".
Student Army leader Sam Johnston and Patsy Te Are lighting a flame to signify the presence of God at the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Service in Hagley Park.