Christchurch and Canterbury suffered significant housing losses due to the earthquakes. Estimates from the Earthquake Commission (EQC) (2011) suggest that over 150,000 homes (around three quarters of Christchurch housing stock) sustained damage from the earthquakes. Some areas of Christchurch have been declared not suitable for rebuilding, affecting more than 7,500 residential properties.
Orana Wildlife Park 'lodge' sleeps passengers from Christchurch airport with no accommodation and who would otherwise sleep at the terminal. The Park staff think that 'they get free accommodation and we have a new paying exhibit!' They have also put up a notice: 'Cheapskates - Do not feed'. Is this a solution to airport 'night kippers'?
The shortage of accommodation in Christchurch due to earthquake damage led many air travellers to sleep overnight at the air terminal.
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A PDF copy of pages 280-281 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Temporary Housing'. Photos: Tessa Peach
From a house truck labelled 'Dunrentin' the occupant claims that since the Feb 2012 earthquake this is the only accommodation that his family can afford.
Since that earthquake, the reultant damage to housing had caused housing rentals to soar, beyond the reach of many of theose displaced.
Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A couple in a red-zoned dog kennel, completing the dwelling census. Their accommodation has one room;, their only heating is by body heat and burning furniture; their rent is $1000 per week.
Two years after the earthquakes, the living conditions of many in the 'red zones' of Christchurch was poor, owing to local body, government and insurance companies' tardiness.
Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Passengers use the baggage carousel at the Christchurch Airport to sleep on as they are swept around. 'Such a unique concept... a revolving motel!'
Shortage of accommodation in Christchurch, because of earthquake-damaged hotels and motels and workers coming in for the Rebuild, was a serious problem for travellers to Christchurch, leading many to sleep in the airport overnight.
Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The Canterbury earthquakes, which started with the 7.1 magnitude event on September 4, 2010, caused significant damage in the region. The September 4 earthquakes brought substantial damage to land, buildings, and infrastructure, while the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on February 22, 2011 (and its subsequent aftershocks), brought even greater property damage, but also significant loss of life in addition to the region. Thousands were injured, and 185 persons died. A national State of Emergency was declared and remained in effect until April 30, 2011. A significant number of people required immediate assistance and support to deal with loss, injury, trauma experiences, and property damages. Many had to find alternate accommodation as their houses were too damaged to stay in. Of those affected, many were already vulnerable, and others had been too traumatized by the events to effectively deal with the challenges they were faced with. A number of human service organizations in the region, from both government and non-government sectors, joined forces to be able to more effectively and efficiently help those in need. This was the start of what would become known as the Earthquake Support Coordination Service. The aim of this report is to present an evaluation of the Earthquake Support Coordination Service and its collaborative organization, based on documentation and interviews with key stakeholders of the service. The aim is also to evaluate the service based on perspectives gathered among the clients as well as the coordinators working in the service. The final aim is to offer a reflection on the service model, and on what factors enabled the service, as well as recommendations regarding aspects of the service which may require review, and aspects which may be useful in other contexts.
