Today is a day to think of Christchurch and Canterbury. To remember those who lost their lives, those who were hurt and injured, and to those who lost much that they knew of their lives and livelihoods. The first anniversary of such a tragedy will be tough for many of those affected to handle. Our hearts go out to them.
What we learned in the hours, days, weeks and months that have followed is the incredible strength, determination and spirit of the people of Canterbury. That is needed now more than ever. As is the support from the rest of New Zealand. At 12.51 today I think all New Zealanders should take a moment to remember the tragedy, and re-affirm our collective commitment to stand beside the people of Christchurch and Canterbury.
As Brendon Burns remarked in a post just one week on from the 22nd of February, “There are hard days ahead. Kia kaha to us all.”
Thanks for the post Grant – right on the button. The day is a tough one for many people, but is also an important milestone for many. It is, as you say, a time to remember all those who were lost and their families and friends. It is also a time to think about the task ahead and what the future holds for us here in Christchurch. There is hope, albeit hope sometimes embedded in tension and frustration, but the events I have attended yesterday and today show the tremendous will of us here to make Christchurch a great City again. I will blog later in the evening about events of the day.
Kia ora Grant,
Reading the feature pull-out in today’s Chch Press, with photographs and bio details, and notes on where and how the people who lost their lives in the big Quake did so, was heart rending stuff. A cross section of ordinary NZers, and folk from overseas here for a range of reasons.
With respect what is needed by the people of Canty at this time – one year on – is some Govt action over sluggish and contrary insurers, a tardy and disfunctional factionalized local authority, and the ongoing reality of ordinary NZers who live in Canty being stuck in munted, draughty houses, in abandoned suburbs out East, in short in on-going despair and disbelief at their abandonment by the state and city.
Thank goodness Liane Dalzell is putting the Govt and Brownlee on the spot – I saw her on her feet at question time and was relieved that at least one MP is standing up – literally – for the good people of Chch.
I was there last week visiting family. The devastation of Bexley and those low-lying area’s is astonishing. Houses where occupants have had properties red-stickered are beginning to be demolished lock stock and barrel. It appears no materials are salvaged or recycled – what a collossal waste of resources by the Govt – I bet loads of state houses could be built out of the materials being dumped wholesale?
Even in suburbs like Merivale and St Albans where on the surface things appear ok, you notice when you look hard enough that houses there too have sustained significant damage. The skyline is forever changed – no chimneys in sight. Many people are living in homes which have shifted off foundations, have gaping holes in walls, gaps in joinery etc – but seem ok in a drive-by from the street.
Christchurch people need action, not platitudes or sympathy. And they’ve needed it for over a year now…
Iri Sinclair
I want to give my sympathy to the people who are still being affected by the Christchurch Earthquake.