earthquake

Leaving the Red Zone: An Anthology of Earthquake Poetry

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In vain, I have trawled the email highway of Christchurch City Libraries in an effort to “out” some closet poets amongst all the erudite librarians out there, but the only contributors to Leaving the Red Zone: Poems from the Canterbury Earthquakes, an anthology edited by James Norcliffe and Joanna Preston, that I could find were myself and Greg O’Connell. Greg works at Linwood Library and I work at New Brighton.

I know of at least one other poet working at the library – Dylan Kemp.

The anthology was launched on Monday 29 February at The Laboratory pub in Lincoln and the launch was extremely well attended. Mayor Lianne Dalziel gave an introductory speech before a packed crowd of poetry lovers and then, because there was only limited time and 87 contributors, some contributing poets were picked from a hat to read their contributions. I was one of the lucky ones who got picked from the hat to read at the launch which was an honour.

Old Press site
3 June 2012. Flickr CCL-2012-06-03-IMG_3532

So get out there and grab yourself a copy from any good bookstore and get the real story behind the earthquakes – from September 2010 until the present day.

More on Leaving the Red Zone

Discover more earthquake poetry in our collection:

Cover Cover Cover Cover Cover

Andrew Bell
New Brighton Library

Five years: 22 February 2016 in pictures

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Arohanui, Christchurch. Here are some photos of our city this morning as we remember the earthquake, five years ago today. Our love goes out to those who lost those dear to them, and to those still suffering. Our thanks to those who are here to help us regroup and rebuild.

Rose, ChristChurch Cathedral
Rose, ChristChurch Cathedral. 22 February 2016. Flickr 2016-02-22-IMG_2731
Lichfield Street
Lichfield Street. Flickr: 2016-02-22-IMG_2670
Passing Time by Anton Parsons, CPIT, Madras Street
Passing Time by Anton Parsons, CPIT, Madras Street. Flickr: 2016-02-22-IMG_2796

Looking back

That was then, this is now – 4 September 2010 / 4 September 2015

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This morning I took some photos of familiar places, of my old neighbourhood. To see what things look like now.

I used to buy bagels and fruit and vege from here. Here’s what it looked like early on 4 September 2010.

Daily Bagel and Covent Fruit Centre September 4 2010, Kete Christchurch

Here’s what it looks like now.

Victoria Street

Victoria Street, Christchurch. Friday 4 September 2015. Flickr 2015-09-04-IMG_9102

Knox Church was looking poorly on 4 September 2010.

Knox Church, 4 September 2010.

Knox Church, 4 September 2010. Kete Christchurch.

And now, all new and fresh.

Knox Church, Victoria Street

Knox Church. Christchurch. Friday 4 September 2015. Flickr 2015-09-04-IMG_9109

The Central Library on Gloucester Street, soon after the quake.

WiFi users outside the Central Library

WiFi users outside the Central Library Even though the library is closed due to the earthquake customers are still happy using the free Wi Fi, 7 September 2010. Flickr CCL-CE-2010-09-07-DSC01928

And the same spot now.

Old Central Library site, Gloucester Street

Central Library site. Christchurch. Friday 4 September 2015. Flickr 2015-09-04-IMG_9162

Here’s the 2015 photos. There are also photos of the same area from 4 September 2014. There have been plenty of changes since then too.

The Press has done some Then and Now features:

And the CEISMIC crew have revisited five key sites, five years later.

More photos and stories:

Our blog posts looking back:

Five years ago: 4 September 2010

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Five years ago today, Christchurch and Canterbury were shaken awake at 4.35am by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. My neighbours and family wandered around the corner to see this on Victoria Street.

Daily Bagel and Covent Fruit Centre September 4 2010, Kete Christchurch

Knox Church, 4 September 2010.

Knox Church, 4 September 2010. Kete Christchurch.

Our first library blog post on 4 September 2010:

Christchurch experienced a major earthquake this morning 4.35am, Saturday 4 September 2010 …

Our book chat switched into Civil Defence, community information, library info, and ideas to look after the kids. (see our September 2010 posts).

Central Library : after the quake

Central Library : after the quake. Flickr CCL-CE-2010-09-08-DSC02045

WiFi users outside the Central Library

WiFi users outside the Central Library Even though the library is closed due to the earthquake customers are still happy using the free Wi Fi, 7 September 2010. Flickr CCL-CE-2010-09-07-DSC01928

Here’s some snippets of memory from 4 September 2010:

  • A few objects fell down in the house, but the kitchen was almost untouched, except for a container of oil which left a big oil slick on the floor.
  • After the initial drama of getting out of the house we made contact with their neighbours in the other three flats. When we had calmed a bit, we began to venture around the neighbourhood. Around the corner, the Daily Bagel building had collapsed on to the street.
  • We never lost power and were without water for only a short time. Our place became a gathering point for friends who came to charge phones and use the internet.
  • Our chimney came down.
  •  Dad was in Dunedin and immediately hitched a ride back on a truck – probably the only person trying to get to Christchurch!

If you feel like telling your stories, visit Quake Stories.

More photos and stories:

Our blog posts looking back:

On the website

4 September 2010 – 5th anniversary ceremony

Donna3 Comments

Kia ora Christchurchians and Cantabrians, we thought you might be interested in this information from Mayor Lianne Dalziel on a dawn ceremony on 4 September 2015 – it will be five years since we all got shaken out of bed at 4.35am when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck.

The media release: Dawn ceremony for fifth earthquake anniversary

Mayor Lianne Dalziel is inviting Cantabrians to join her for a special sunrise ceremony in remembrance of the September 2010 Christchurch earthquake.

Residents are invited to gather on the beach outside the New Brighton Library from 6.10am on Friday 4 September 2015, the fifth anniversary of the first Christchurch earthquake.

A short ceremony will be held ending with a shared watching of the sunrise at approximately 6.50am.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says, “This is the time, on the dawn of the fifth anniversary of the earthquake, to gather together as a community to reflect on our city’s journey. It is a chance to remember what we have been through since September 2010 and, as the sun rises, to look ahead to what the future may hold.”

Parking is available in the carpark north of New Brighton Library. Temporary lighting on the beach will lead you to the gathering point just past the pier.

Find out more about 4 September 2010 earthquake.

Remembering 22 February 2011 – four years later

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On Sunday 22 February 2015, it will be four years since the 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch and the loss of 185 people. To commemorate this sad day, there will be a Civic Memorial Service for the community of Christchurch on the Archery Lawn at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens at noon. This is a public event. A live stream will be shown on the Council’s website for those who cannot attend.

Also, on Sunday 22 February 2015, the River of Flowers commemoration is being held again allowing you to share your experiences and hopes for the future. River of Flower sites will be set up along the Avon and Heathcote rivers, and at the estuary. The sites are open from 8am to 8pm, and hosted by local community groups between 12.30-1.30pm. Throughout the day people will be able to throw flowers into a waterway and write messages on a Tree of Hope. At 12:51 two minutes’ silence will be held. View the full list of 2015 River of Flowers sites.

As in previous years, artist Henry Sunderland is spearheading a Facebook campaign encouraging people to place flowers in roadcones to commemorate the quakes and as a wish for a bright future.

The Run to Remember, a 10km fun run and walk to honour those who lost their lives during the earthquake, will take place starting at 9am from Victoria Park in the Port Hills and finishing at Hansen Park in Opawa. A memorial service will be held at the end of the event.

In High Street, C1 Espresso cafe will be opening their rooftop garden. They welcome anyone who wishes to take a quiet moment and check out progress from up on top of the High Street post office.

Six short-listed designs for the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial were made public on 17 February. You are invited to give your feedback.

National trauma and grief support agency Skylight have documents on how to reflect and remember and ways to prepare for the anniversary (both are 200KB PDFs).

There will be more commemorative events in the community, and we will add information as we find it. Please let us know if you have any details.

Cashel Street - Re-Start Mall Wishing tree, Avonside

One way of coping is by recounting your experience. Here are some ways you can do that:

Explore our resources

22 February 2014

Flowers under the Peace Bell

Flowers left under the Peace Bell at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens in commemoration of the anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Flickr: CCL-2014-02-22-22February2014 DSC_1215

22 February 2013

185 white chairs

Peter Majende 185 white chairs. Friday 22 February 2013. Flickr: CCL-2013 -02-22-
IMG_4064

22 February 2012

Central Plinth
Avonhead Park Cemetery Interment Site. Flickr: CCL-2012-02-27-AvonheadParkCemeteryIntermentSite-February-2012 DSC_027

Waiho i te toipoto … Kaua i te toiroa.
Let us keep close together … Not wide apart.

That was then, but this is now: 4 September 2010 / 4 September 2014

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A look at a couple of sites affected by the 4 September 2010 earthquake, and what they look like now.

Corner of Victoria Street and Bealey Avenue

Daily Bagel and Covent Fruit Centre 4 September 2010, Victoria Street, Christchurch.
Daily Bagel and Covent Fruit Centre 4 September 2010, Victoria Street, Christchurch. Kete Christchurch.

Carlton Butchery building, Victoria Street

Here’s how the same site looks today: 4 September 2014.

Knox Church – corner of Bealey Avenue and Victoria Street

Knox Church - 4 September 2010.
Knox Church – 4 September 2010. Kete Christchurch
Knox Church, Victoria Street
Knox Church, corner of Bealey Avenue and Victoria Street – Thursday 4 September 2014.

See the set of images Knox Church earthquake impact – Kete Christchurch.

More photos and stories:

Four years ago: 4 September 2010

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Then, and now. It is strange how things blur, what you forget, and what you remember.

It was shake, awake, get out, fear, and heck, is everyone ok? And wow, there is the chimney all over the backyard.

This is what I saw shortly after 4.35am, after the 7.1 earthquake on 4 September 2010. Victoria Street, Christchurch.

The same spot on Victoria Street is now home to a lineup of the new Christchurch – Smash Palace, etc.

This blog proved to be a handy place from which to share information. Our first library blog post on 4 September 2010:

Christchurch experienced a major earthquake this morning 4.35am, Saturday 4 September 2010 …

Our book chat switched into Civil Defence, community information, library info, and ideas to look after the kids. (see our September 2010 posts).

Oh, and portaloo hugging.

In the days to come, there was so much to see and discover.  We entered into a new shocking and aftershocking world.

Of all the post September quake-related sights, one I will alway remember is a moment of rare delicacy, when the worker used his machinery to lift a chandelier, which he then passed to the owner. All of us watching cheered.

Demolition of Robertsons Bakery. Chandelier is being removed from Shrimpton Radcliffe Interior Design. 8 September 2010. Kete Christchurch.
Demolition of Robertsons Bakery. Chandelier is being removed from Shrimpton Radcliffe Interior Design. 8 September 2010. Kete Christchurch.

More photos and stories:

Our blog posts

On the website

Stop the clocks – 12.51pm 22 February 2011

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Clock tower on Madras Street

Sometimes it seems a long, long time ago. Other times you are right there in it.
My nephew was born the day before, now he is a sturdy 3-year-old. My girl had her 2nd birthday a couple of days before, and she is starting school. Those I love mark the time for me.

Everyone has their own way of dealing with the anniversary. Flowers in cones, flowers in the river.

Time to be kind as gap widens is the message from the Canterbury District Health Board. The All Right campaign reinforces the message that whatever you feel is ok.

The Press has been doing a brilliant job publishing reflections and perspectives. Hats off to them. Standouts are:

Victoria Street clocktower
So stop the clocks, and feel what you feel. Our special love goes out to the people we lost, and those who suffer and grieve.  We miss those who have left town, and welcome those who have arrived.
Thanks to workers busy rebuilding, and people busy revitalising their communities. Arohanui Ōtautahi.

Hurrah for volunteers!

katccl2 Comments

Today is International Volunteer Day, which is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and recognising all types of volunteers around the world.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to experience new challenges, develop new skills and get involved in the community. Our web page provides all sorts of information about volunteering in and around Christchurch.

Volunteering in Canterbury came into the spotlight after the earthquakes when organisations such as the Student Volunteer Army, the Farmy Army and many others were involved in the massive clean-up effort. These contributions really showed how much can be achieved when people come together with a common purpose to benefit the community.

The volunteering spirit has endured post-quakes with initiatives like Greening the Rubble and Gap Filler, amongst others, actively using volunteers in the quest to fill empty sites before permanent redevelopment.

My own experiences of volunteering helped me to discover if the career path I wanted to go down was right for me. I wanted to get into the museum sector and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to help out at my local museum. I was able to find out about this type of job in a very hands on way and meet people who could tell me more. This experience initially led to a part time job and helped me get onto a Museum Studies course.

So, whether you have a little time or a lot of time have think about volunteering as you never know where it will lead you – and if you know a volunteer say a big thank you to them today.