Nature has endowed New Zealand with unique geologic, climatic, and biotic conditions. Her volcanic cones and majestic Southern Alps and her verdant plains and rolling hills provide a landscape as rugged and beautiful as will be found anywhere. Her indigenous fauna and flora are often quite different from that of the rest of the world and consequently have been of widespread interest to biologists everywhere. Her geologic youth and structure and her island climate, in combination with the biological resources, have made a land which is ecologically on edge. These natural endowments along with the manner in which she has utilized her land, have given New Zealand some of the most spectacular and rapid erosion to be found. It is quite evident that geologic and climatic conditions combine to give unusually high rates of natural erosion. Present topographic features indicate the past occurrence of large-scale flooding as well. Prior to the arrival of the Maori, it is very likely that most of the land mass of New Zealand below present bush lines was covered with indigenous bush or forest. Forest fires of a catastrophic nature undoubtedly occurred as a result of lightning, and volcanic eruptions. The exposed soils left by these catastrophes contributed to natural deterioration. While vast areas of forest cover were destroyed, they probably were healed by nature with forest or with grass or herbaceous cover. Further, it is probable that large areas in the mountains were, as they are now, subject to landslides and slipping due to earthquakes and excessive local rainfall. Again, the healing process was probably rapid in most of such exposed areas.
A video of Prime Minister John Key taking part in a tree planting ceremony on the banks of the Avon River in Christchurch. The trees were planted to symbolise the beginning of the rebuild of the Christchurch central city.
A video of a tour of the printing plant where The Press is printed.
A video of a tour of the printing plant where The Press is printed.
To the casual observer, community gardens may look like places where people just come to grow fruit and vegetables. Through digging beneath surface appearances, however, the research literature suggests that there is more to the creation of and participation in community gardens than that which is immediately apparent. The overall aim of this research was to explore and interpret the meaning of community gardens in terms of the sought and experienced well-being of the individuals who participate, and their associated communities. This research was undertaken in the Christchurch/Selwyn district, in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010-2011. This research utilised the technique of photo-elicitation interviews to study the meanings attributed to community gardening, in the post-earthquake environment. Five gardens were investigated. Results show that a range of meanings, and well-being outcomes are experienced through a combination of physical, educational, aesthetic appreciation, contemplative, creative and social connections within the garden and within the overall context of nature. Significantly, within the post-earthquake environment, the community gardens can offer participants the opportunity to appreciate life and what it means for them.
20140927_2219_1D3-24 Planting natives at Harold Henry Park A planting of native bushes and trees in the old children's playground area in Bexley, Organised by the Facebook group Avon River Park and assisted by ex Bexley residents. This is right in the middle of the Bexley red zone with most houses removed or demolished now.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's Blog for 26 October 2013 entitled, "Plant-a Park".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 30 April 2013 entitled, "Plants at Piko".
Two tragedies have brought two groups of young people from opposite sides of the world together for a special tree planting in Christchurch. Twenty-eight students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida -- the scene of a deadly shooting in February -- are spending the week with the Student Volunteer Army, established after the Christchurch earthquake. Jonathan Mitchell reports.
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.
A dead pot plant lies on a buckled footpath.
Plants beside the Coffee Zone kiosk on Colombo Street.
A laminated sign for the 2011 Festival of Flowers attached to a wooden planter. The plants in the planter are dry and dead. The photographer comments, "The theme for the 2011 Festival of Flowers was 'burst! of water'. The Christchurch February earthquake came and water and sand called liquefaction burst out of the ground all around the area. Ironically the plants for the festival were left unattended in the cordoned off red zone and they would have loved a little burst of water".
A photograph of plantings along a car park border in Lichfield Street.
Flowers planted in an upside-down road cone embedded in the soil.
Earthquake damage inside a house in St Albans. Pot plants have fallen over.
Filing cabinets broken, a pot plant smashed in an office in the Registry Building.
Liquefaction lessons from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and biotechnologists doing interesting things with plants.
Hundreds of sunflowers have been planted in empty Christchurch sites to brighten up the city centre.
Papers fallen off shelves and a pot plant smashed in an office in the Registry Building.
A photograph of rhubarb growing in the garden of the Locke family's property at 392 Oxford Terrace. The photographer comments, "The rhubarb was planted by Elsie Locke and was famous in the Avon Loop. It survived despite being untended and I took some and planted it in my own garden".
Plants outside the entrance to NG art gallery, located next to The National, a contemporary jewellery gallery on Madras Street.
Tourism, native planting, and bee keeping are all possibilities a community lead working group is waiting on government funding to explore.
Portaloos on the Pine Mound, part of Festival of Flowers. Side view of a portaloo that has some plants and flowers painted on it.
Street art seen across a vacant and overgrown demolition site. On the wall are the words 'LOVE' and a girl holding a small plant.
Damage to a building on Colombo Street. It is surrounded by piles of brick and overgrown plants. Part of a graffitied wall is also visible.
Damage to a building on Colombo Street. It is surrounded by piles of brick and overgrown plants. Part of a graffitied wall is also visible.
A photograph of bricks stacked to spell out the word 'Lyttelton'. Behind the letters, plant pots have been laid out to form a temporary garden.
Damage to a building on Colombo Street. It is surrounded by piles of brick and overgrown plants, and part of a graffitied wall is also visible.
Detail of a garden project by Greening the Rubble, with plants decorated with crocheted leaves and spiders. This was in a vacant lot on Colombo Street.