Christchurch Earthquake Mt Pleasant Home Damage

Christchurch Earthquake Residential Hill Suburbs Damage Christchurch Earthquake Latest Updates Sunday, 27 February 2011. 10.33am 23 properties were evacuated in Christchurch overnight due to the danger of falling rocks, Newstalk ZB reports. The homes affected were in Bridle Path Road, La Costa Lane, Maffeys Road and McCormacks Bay Road. (Source NZ Herald. Christchurch Earthquake Latest [...]

Memories on Madras

During a break in the recent conference someone approached me and asked how the rebuild was going.
'Rebuild?' I laughed. 'We're not up to rebuilding yet, we're still in the demolition phase.'

And every week, it seems, another gets added to the , some to and wanting . Other petitions have already been sent off . 

However, on Monday we reached a milestone - the , from Tuam St onwards. Traffic was reportedly busy all day long, and has been ever since too. But I wanted to ...

Positive news initiative launches from Christchurch this Friday

HOW TO ACHIEVE $50,000 SECTIONS

Hi all Cantabrians Unite

EXTENSION TO SMALL BUSINESS GRANT FOR CANTERBURY BUSINESSES

Financial support is now available to small businesses requiring engineering or building reports thanks to an extension of the existing Independent Advice for Small Business grant.

New Web Tool Can Help Cantabrians

5 weeks ago a new not-for-profit website was launched AskShareGive is a website where people can go to share their time, skills, transport or old or unwanted goods.  Although AskShareGive has been designed to be used nationwide, the roll out has focussed mainly on Aucklanders to determine how well the concept will go down.  As the results to date have been extremely encouraging, the AskShareGive team are keen to introduce the concept to Cantabrians to assist them in their journey of r ...

NEW BUSINESS RESILIENCY AND STRESS MANAGEMENT SERVICE FOR CANTERBURY BUSINESSES

Telling tales: How NOT to eat Vegemite (or Marmite)

So I've just got back from spending a few days with a friend in San Francisco - yep, I went from Shakeytown to the . Go figure. But I suppose if you only considered destinations based on perceptions of risk & safety, no-one would ever go anywhere.

My friend, who shall remain nameless, works at an independent grocery store - the kind that reacts to customer requests and is willing to stock oddball products such as and . It's not quite (if it was, it might be worth a fortune: see '') ...

Telling tales: How NOT to eat Vegemite (or Marmite)

So I've just got back from spending a few days with a friend in San Francisco - yep, I went from Shakeytown to the . Go figure. But I suppose if you only considered destinations based on perceptions of risk & safety, no-one would ever go anywhere.

My friend, who shall remain nameless, works at an independent grocery store - the kind that reacts to customer requests and is willing to stock oddball products such as and . It's not quite (if it was, it might be worth a fortune: ...

Selwyn Housing & Lifestyle Expo offers new options

Find out why everyone is talking about the sensational Selwyn District!  Come and discover your options, this Saturday (12noon - 4pm) and Sunday (10am - 4pm), Rolleston Community Centre, Rolleston Drive.  For more information, visit .

Red Cross Earthquake Commission announces new Disability Support Grant

Meet Steve Carter – ChCh’s brand new Good News Reporter

Q & A with Steve Carter, by Charlotte Squire 1.  Can you tell us some really important stuff about yourself? Hmmm, “important” is such a loaded word.  I am an ex-pat Brit, born in Merseyside and raised ...

Meet Steve Carter – ChCh’s brand new Good News Reporter

42 Things to do in Christchurch!

Council agrees to zero social housing increase - Glenn Livingstone

Social Housing Media Release  

Quick pic

Recycle E-Waste

Molten Media Charitable Trust is looking for your old computer, electronic equipment and appliances in any condition for recycling or refurbishing for donation to community groups and individuals in need.

Returning to Sumner, Christchurch After 15 Months

Fifteen Months’ Absence From Sumner, Christchurch… What Changes Will I Find Here? I’ve finally found the courage to return to Sumner, 459 days after my last brief visit, when I had dropped friends off at the cruise ship in Lyttelton Harbour. It all seems like forever ago, spending the early evening up by the lookout [...]

Returning to Sumner, Christchurch After 15 Months

Fifteen Months’ Absence From Sumner, Christchurch… What Changes Will I Find Here? I’ve finally found the courage to return to Sumner, 459 days after my last brief visit, when I had dropped friends off at the cruise ship in Lyttelton Harbour. It all seems like forever ago, spending the early evening up by the lookout [...]

Good Friday – The Death of Christchurch City

The Old Christchurch is Going… But Resurrection Is Still A Long Way Off Talking about religious beliefs is something I normally avoid, mainly because it is a deeply personal thing that becomes controversial and emotive when shared in public. However, with the rather huge “elephant in the City” (our earthquake damaged Christ Church Cathedral), it [...]

Good Friday – The Death of Christchurch City

The Old Christchurch is Going… But Resurrection Is Still A Long Way Off Talking about religious beliefs is something I normally avoid, mainly because it is a deeply personal thing that becomes controversial and emotive when shared in public. However, with the rather huge “elephant in the City” (our earthquake damaged Christ Church Cathedral), it [...]

THREE LOCAL BUSINESSES RECOGNISED AT CHCH BUSINESS AWARDS

Three Christchurch businesses have been recognised for the part they played in a public campaign that aimed to drive local business growth.

Coming out

Over the last few years I've come to the realisation that I'm not what I thought I was. Sometimes I guess it just takes a while for it to sink in that perhaps you've only been acting in a certain way because that's what was expected of you.

But what if all you are ever exposed to are thoughts & theories that keep reinforcing those notions, never exposing you to anything different, never sharing ideas that may challenge your perception of what is 'right' and 'normal'?

I was one ...

TRUST TO SUPPORT BUILDING OF CHCH HI-TECH BUSINESS HUB

This is according to the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust, which is lending its support to the EPIC campus by underwriting parts of the project.  Thanks to the Trust’s support EPIC, or Enterprise Precinct and Innovation Campus, has been able to secure the funding to get the project off the ground.

Third time lucky

On Friday (and Saturday) night hubby & I were at the of one of Lyttelton's few surviving drinking holes - the . Hopefully it proves to be third time lucky... even though each reopening party has been a hell of a good time, we're all hoping there isn't going to be a fourpeat.

The first reopening party was way back in 2010, after the September earthquake. I almost made it - I did get to Lyttelton that night, but at the exact moment I arrived in town, the Wundy was absolutely packed and ...

Christchurch Quake Blues Over TC3 Land

Has Your Been Land Zoned TC3 because of the Christchurch Quakes? I know I haven’t posted for a while. I think I’ve probably had a bit of Post Trauma Stress from the Christchurch Quake, so have been focusing on self-managing that. A few things triggered this. The anniversary of 22 February and graphic photos being [...]

INSPIRATIONAL KIWI BUSINESSMAN TO SPEAK AT FREE CHRISTCHURCH BUSINESS EVENT

Lost and found

Sing along now, you know the tune...




If you liked that little number, here's a few other fun numbers to consider:

: The number of days since I've seen my suitcase

: Days left to make a claim against the original carrier for lost luggage

: Days remaining until my next trip, when I'm gonna need that suitcase (and those clothes)

: How many times I've called the Auckland baggage centre since my return. Yay for 0800 numbers :)

: Airports in whic ...

Artist humbled at being awarded Sydney artist residency

Dancing in the rain

On Wednesday the call went out: We need dancers!


One of many projects, the , was about to be filmed as part of a project by/for . Gehl have been involved in our central city rebuild plan, and are helping to make people-friendly cities around the world. Our little Dance-o-mat was to be featured as part of... well, to be honest, I'm not exactly sure what the topic/story of this film is, but it was a good excuse to get off my arse and check out the Dance-o-mat. Especially when they said ...

Public Art Workshop for Christchurch

A week of it

 ...or perhaps, a week without it.


A week without earthquakes, a week without Kiwi accents.
A week without decent coffee, and a week without my luggage.

Yes, in yet another demonstration of the , when I arrived in the USA on March 3rd en-route to my conference in Orlando, my luggage was nowhere to be seen. This situation was not entirely unexpected however, as it had not been a smooth trip from the beginning.

The trouble started when my very first flight ...

CanCERN Newsletter #29 - 9th March

CanCERN Newsletter #28 2 March

CanCERN Newsletter #26 - 10th February 2012

CanCERN Newsletter #24 - 27th January 2012

CanCERN Newsletter #23 - 20th January 2012

CanCERN Newsletter #22 - 13th January 2012

Newsletter #21 - 22 December 2012

Farewell to Christchurch Cathedral - A City Icon

Christchurch residents have been given a chance to farewell Christchurch Cathedral before demolition starts. For two weekends in March, a walkway has been opened along Colombo Street to allow access to Cathedral Square. Thousands have taken advantage of this and a never-ending stream of visitors has lined the walkway which is contained between fences. for more details and photos.

Farewell to Christchurch Cathedral - A City Icon

Christchurch residents have been given a chance to farewell Christchurch Cathedral before demolition starts. For two weekends in March, a walkway has been opened along Colombo Street to allow access to Cathedral Square. Thousands have taken advantage of this and a never-ending stream of visitors has lined the walkway which is contained between fences. for more details and photos.

Demolished by the Christchurch Quakes

Seismic resilience key to new Christchurch CBD: steel industry

Minister of Building and Construction Maurice Williamson expressed confidence in New Zealand’s structural steel industry as he opened a forum held in Christchurch on Wednesday night (29 February).

$4 MILLION MARK REACHED BY BUSINESS SUPPORT TRUST

Affordable Sections Available - Canterbury Affordable Sections

Someone's in your exact same boat - working together

.  There are so many people in exactly the same boat who are struggling to make progress -  I mean their situation is the same as yours. I am so sick of getting the run around from people on the end of the phone who can't seem to make a decision or even advise correctly. The reason we can't make progress is now clear to me after hours of phone calls over the last year leading nowhere - 

Are we there yet?

Step 2: Wait a few months for a decision from your insurance company. Go through more major earthquakes, and wait a few more months for insurance company to deal with the sudden deluge of new claims.

Christchurch Quake Poem

NEW CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT CHRISTCHURCH BUSINESSES

A campaign is underway to drive business growth by encouraging Cantabrians to rediscover and get into their city.

Christchurch Memorial Service

On the 22nd February 2012, a memorial service was held in Hagley Park, Christchurch to pay tribute to those who died in the 6.3 earthquake a year earlier. It was a somber occasion marked with many tears and much heartache and sadness. Approximately 10,000 people attended and the service concluded with the release of 185 monarch butterflies - one for each life lost in the earthquake. It was a painful but necessary part of the ongoing healing for the people of Christchurch. for a person ...

New Zealand Red Cross Worker Receives Christchurch Earthquake Award

New Zealand Red Cross emergency management officer Stephen Manson has received a Christchurch Earthquake Award for his actions during and after the September and February earthquakes.

February 22 one year on

Twelve months has passed since the earthquake that devastated Canterbury on February 22, 2011, and the loss of life and destruction are still very raw for many of those affected.

On yer bike: PMT, PCS & SOS

It's two-for-the-price-of-one time... two (or maybe more) different topics being squished into one post thanks to the general chaos & busyness that is life in Shakeytown. Well, my life anyway - I can't claim to speak on anyone else's behalf.

But no matter how much is going on, it's important that we remember to make time to stop and smell the roses. Even here in the land of the empty lot, there are events taking place that are worth making an effort to get to. One such gig was the rec ...

On yer bike: PMT, PCS & SOS

It's two-for-the-price-of-one time... two (or maybe more) different topics being squished into one post thanks to the general chaos & busyness that is life in Shakeytown. Well, my life anyway - I can't claim to speak on anyone else's behalf.

But no matter how much is going on, it's important that we remember to make time to stop and smell the roses. Even here in the land of the empty lot, there are events taking place that are worth making an effort to get to. One such ...

How To Manage Christchurch Quake Trauma

Personal Account of the Media Red Zone Tour in Chirstchurch

On Wednesday 15th February 2012, I was part of a media tour around the red-zoned CBD of Christchurch. Following the devastating 6.3 earthquake on the 22nd February 2011, the city centre was shut down as authorities worked to secure the area and clear damaged buildings. This has proved to be a long, painful process and apart from a brief period when the public could access the city through Red Zone bus tours and a walkway into Cathedral Square, the city has remained off limits.

Although no ...

Media Red Zone Tour

On Wednesday 15th February 2012, the media were invited on a red zone tour of the devastated CBD of Christchurch. This was in preparation for the first anniversary of the 6.3 22nd February earthquake that claimed 185 lives. Journalists were taken into the city by bus which stopped at four points to allow them to capture footage and take photos. for more news on the red zone tour.

Still feeling damaged from the Christchurch Quakes?

Every day is a Shocking Reminder of Earthquakes in Christchurch After watching the Shocking Reminder documentary about the Christchurch Earthquake on Prime TV last night, I had a number of people share with me how watching this (or not!) made them feel. So this article is for everyone who is feeling damaged, anxious or afraid [...]

Clowning around

I nearly didn't go to the protest on February 1st at the CCC. By the time protest-day was drawing near, Mr M had and the government had announced a would be sitting at the council table in an effort to make everyone . Whether this appointment has any or not is , but then again, what point is there in quibbling over details when it could probably be quickly & easily written into the CERA legislation somewhere. Who knows what's already covered in there... some of the councillors .