Radio New Zealand Economics Correspondent reports from outside AMI Stadium.
On 22 February 2011, Canterbury and its largest city Christchurch experienced its second major earthquake within six months. The region is facing major economic and organisational challenges in the aftermath of these events. Approximately 25% of all buildings in the Christchurch CBD have been “red tagged” or deemed unsafe to enter. The New Zealand Treasury estimates that the combined cost of the February earthquake and the September earthquake is approximately NZ$15 billion[2]. This paper examines the national and regional economic climate prior to the event, discusses the immediate economic implications of this event, and the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations affected by this event. In order to facilitate recovery of the Christchurch area, organisations must adjust to a new norm; finding ways not only to continue functioning, but to grow in the months and years following these earthquakes. Some organisations relocated within days to areas that have been less affected by the earthquakes. Others are taking advantage of government subsidised aid packages to help retain their employees until they can make long-term decisions about the future of their organisation. This paper is framed as a “report from the field” in order to provide insight into the early recovery scenario as it applies to organisations affected by the February 2011 earthquake. It is intended both to inform and facilitate discussion about how organisations can and should pursue recovery in Canterbury, and how organisations can become more resilient in the face of the next crisis.
The School of Social Work makes spaces for more computer work spaces, and also the Business and Economics college office.
The School of Social Work makes spaces for more computer work spaces, and also the Business and Economics college office.
Crowds outside Ballantynes at the opening of the Re:Start mall. The Grand Chancellor is visible in the background.
Crowds at the opening of the Re:Start mall.
Crowds outside Ballantynes at the opening of the Re:Start mall.
Broken bottles and packages fallen on the floor of Piko Wholefoods.
A digger demolishing the Piko Wholefoods building.
A woman standing in a doorway which is all that remains of a demolished building.
A digger demolishing the Piko Wholefoods building.
Crowds at the opening of the Re:Start mall, listening to the official speeches.
A digger demolishing the Piko Wholefoods building.
A digger demolishing the Piko Wholefoods building.
Rubble from the partially collapsed Piko Wholefoods building.
A digger clearing rubble from the partially collapsed Piko Wholefoods building.
A man standing in front of the partially collapsed Piko Wholefoods building.
Workers in dust masks and hard hats searching through the rubble of Piko Wholefoods.
Damage to a building on the corner of Kilmore and Barbadoes Streets. The brick side wall has collapsed.
A collapsed building on the corner of Linwood Avenue and Aldwins Road.
A damaged brick building, the side wall of which has collapsed.
Fallen cans, jars and bottles on the floor of Piko Wholefoods.
A staff member cleaningup fallen jars and packets from the floor of Piko Wholefoods.
A digger demolishing the Piko Wholefoods building.
Army and fire service personnel looking on from beside cordon fencing on Kilmore Street as a digger demolishes the Piko Wholefoods building. Behind the fencing is another badly damaged building.
Fallen bricks in the courtyard of Piko Wholefoods. The upper storey has been partially demolished.
A digger demolishing the Piko Wholefoods building.
A digger demolishing the Piko Wholefoods building.
Damage to a building on the corner of Kilmore and Barbadoes Streets. The windows are broken, and part of the awning has collapsed.
Bricks littering the footpath, fallen from a building on the corner of Kilmore and Barbadoes Streets.