This article discusses the use of radio after major earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2010 and 2011. It draws on archival sources to retrospectively research post-quake audiences in the terms people used during and soon after the earthquakes through personal narratives and Twitter. Retrospective narratives of earthquake experiences affirm the value of radio for communicating the scale of disaster and comforting listeners during dislocation from safe home spaces. In the narratives radio is often compared with television, which signifies electricity supply and associated comfort but also visually confirms the city’s destruction. Twitter provides insights into radio use from within the disaster period, but its more global reach facilitates reflection on online and international radio from outside the disaster-affected area. This research demonstrates the value of archival audience research, and finds that the combination of online radio and Twitter enables a new form of participatory disaster spectatorship from afar.
New research says Canterbury would suffer severe damage in an Alpine Fault earthquake.
The number of emergency psychiatric assessments in Christchurch has more than doubled since the earthquakes struck.
A class action taken by 40 Canterbury earthquake claimants against Southern Response heads to court tomorrow.
Worries about the mental health impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes dominated a fiery meeting at Parliament today.
People can walk over Christchurch's Bridge of Remembrance once again, after nearly seven million dollars in earthquake repairs.
Divine Cakes in Christchurch has had a tough past five years building up again after the 2011 earthquakes.
Belinda McCammon tracks progress in Christchurch 5 years after the earthquake that killed 185 people
Christchurch's leading business group is criticising city council plans to slow down its earthquake rebuild programme. Conan Young reports.
After calls for an inquiry into Christchurch home repairs, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee joins Checkpoint.
Insurance company Tower says yesterday's earthquake in North Canterbury will cost it a maximum of just over seven million dollars.
Should a 150 year-old tree have been cut down to make way for Christchurch's earthquake memorial?
The grass roots organisations that sprang up after the 2011 Canterbury earthquake are showing little sign of fading away.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has experienced her fair share of earthquakes as a resident, MP and then Mayor. She joins Checkpoint.
Firms can expect to pay more and wait longer to get goods delivered to their door following the North Canterbury earthquakes.
The Cathedral has been in a state of limbo since the Christchurch earthquakes. Now roosting pigeons are adding to the damage.
A new report has heavily criticised how the Ministry of Education handled the post-earthquake Christchurch school reshuffle nearly four years ago.
The cost of building a home in New Zealand's main cities has risen by 20 per cent since the Canterbury earthquakes.
Christchurch City Councillor Ali Jones talks about what the cull of EQC staff will mean for life in the post-earthquake city.
More than 300 people turned out to a meeting in Christchurch last night to hear about botched Earthquake Commission repairs.
Repair work on Christchurch's iconic Town Hall, badly damaged in the earthquakes, has nearly hit the halfway mark.
Christchurch businesses are calling on the council to keep the New Brighton pier open while earthquake repairs are completed.
Farmers in North Canterbury say the earthquake is another blow to a region which has battled drought and volatile lamb and dairy markets
Canterbury residents were left confused after the earthquake after the news media reported they needed to evacuate but tsunami sirens were silent.
More evacuations as dams caused by the earthquake threaten to breach in Marlborough and Kaikoura evacuees are given temporary accommodation in Christchurch.
Bruce Springsteen has announced dates for a New Zealand tour including a concert in Christchurch for the anniversary of the February 2011 earthquake.
Karen Brown reports from Chch, where there seems to be no end in sight for the mental health problems caused by the earthquakes
The Earthquake Commission could have a big job on its hands fixing quake damaged Christchurch homes for a second time.
Forty Christchurch homeowners have headed back to court, as they seek to take a class action against earthquake insurer Southern Response.
Five years after being created the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, commonly known as CERA, will officially close its doors on Monday.
