2011 Christchurch Earthquake Day VII
February 28th, 2011 at 9:37 am by David Farrar1651: An initial support package for employers and employees has been announced. Employers will get $500 gross per week per FT employee and $300 per PT employee, to be paid to their employees. If an employer ceases business, then employees will get $400 a week net FT and $240 a week net PT paid directly to them. This is backdated to the quake and initially is for six weeks.
1005: Have not blogged previously on this, but huge kudos to Owen Glenn for his personal $1m donation to the earthquake recovery. Despite his appealling treatment by some, he has remained a good friend to New Zealand.
Just noticed that Stuff has a nice page of profiles on the victims known to date. They seem determined that no victim will be just an anonymous death, which is great.
At a macro level we deal with numbers such as 150 dead and growing. At a family level, every death is a tragedy which leaves a family with an emotional burden they never will fully recover from.
Related posts:
- 2011 Christchurch Earthquake
- 2011 Christchurch Earthquake Day VIII
- Christchurch Earthquake 2011 Day II
- 2011 Christchurch Earthquake Day IV
February 28th, 2011 at 9:54 am
This morning on NewstalkZB, Leighton Smith declared to all and sundry that he is not donating any money to the Christchurch relief fund, “keeping his wallet firmly shut” because he was concerned at how the funds would be spent.
Vote:Those sort of comments are not helpful when people are struggling, those comments are rude and insensitive and an indictment of how petty the media can get. If you don’t want to donate, piss off.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:12 am
What an odd attitude.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:20 am
While not defending Leighton Smith I can understand why he might take that approach.
We are already taxed far too highly, we already pay a bullshit ETS tax, we keep seeing parasites and bludgers receive pay rises when the economy cannot afford to pay.
Those who do not take personal responsibility are being rewarded while those who do end up paying for it.
Yes he might be rude, is he insensitive….I dunno, but what he has said is relevant.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:25 am
I have to admit, when I saw a beneficiary on tv yesterday complaining and suggesting they should get more aid than everybody else, it made my blood boil.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Every single bludger in Christchurch should be forced to get on the end of a shovel, there is no excuse for able bodied men and women to be sitting on their arse doing nothing while that city suffers.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:31 am
Chain gang the looters. why should they get a roof over their heads and three square a day?
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Then, at the other end of the scale, you get a story like this; a small business that will probably have to close, but wants to pay its Christchurch creditors first. I’m happy to have been able to publicise these guys, and I’m sure that DPF will not mind me placing the link. Even when their world has crumbled around them, the integrity of the people who run The T Shop is undiminished.
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2011/02/free-advertising.html
I’ll be placing an order with them today. I hope that others might do likewise.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:52 am
In scanning the list on the Stuff website of the missing presumed dead there’s already 3 people I know – the father of a former work colleague, an old client and our family’s now retired optometrist – and that’s with maybe 25% of the missing posted! It will be the same for everyone in Christchurch.
So many friends and family involved with volunteer relief work – it is so incredibly heartening despite their shock and tragedy all around them!
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:58 am
I understood the Red Cross still has 10 million from the last big quake. Yes amazing how those young woman were straight away ringing Winz for money..also a bit tedious about how noone is helping Aranui…they seem to be so passive..waiting for help…I know of various church groups out that way running BBQS..some of these young people are paying for the sausages themselves.
Vote:The people in Rangiora who are making thousands of meals are paying the helicopters on their credit cards..25 thousand a day..All of this food is going to the Eastern suburbs. I am wondering if Brendan Malone is one of the marvellous Irish Malones from Porirua. This family spend all their time helping others and have done for years.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:00 am
It will be similar across the South Island and beyond kia. I was at a family birthday on Saturday in Dunedin. Six visitors from Christchurch taking a break. Grandfather of a family friend missing. Cousin of an in-law missing with baby. The connections with this disaster reach far and wide.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:00 am
“I have to admit, when I saw a beneficiary on tv yesterday complaining and suggesting they should get more aid than everybody else, it made my blood boil”
Yes when I saw Helen Clarke touring the cbd it made my blood boil too.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:01 am
The aftershocks keep on rumbling on in. There have been some decent ones today and a nor-wester is due to blow like mad……….
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:16 am
“This morning on NewstalkZB, Leighton Smith declared to all and sundry that he is not donating any money to the Christchurch relief fund, “keeping his wallet firmly shut”
What a complete arse – he should keep his mouth shut instead. Frankly what is his motivation for making such a statement?
Vote:Is he so egotistical that he felt we just had to know whether he donated or not.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:29 am
I don’t quite understand the connection – our donations go to private orgs like the Red Cross or the Sallies, not the government. He has problems with what these organisations might do with his money?!
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:39 am
Whoops think I geddit – the Christchurch relief fund is a government appeal? If so, I doubt the money is going to be spent on giving gay Maori ETS subsidies for their hip hop courses or some such thing.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:48 am
What Leighton Smith said is not being reported accurately here – He said he was willing to donate, and had donated, to funds which will ease hardship and suffering for the badly affected. But he would not donate to a rebuild when there was no assurance that the e/q event would not reoccur which would make the exercise futile. There is evidence that the building platform in Chch is unstable and possibly should not have been developed in the first place ( a flat swamp with a sand, silt base only a few metres above SL). It would not be the first city that had to be relocated because of natural phenomena. Smith was able to make comparisons with the effect of hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and describe the after effects. The flooding in New Orleans was exacerbated by badly built levees so was, in part, man made, but the city has been depopulated because of loss of confidence. In the Chch case where there are, and will, be continuing aftershocks, we can expect thousands to take their insurance payout on move elsewhere – I would.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:48 am
We held a church service and a picnic in a local park yesterday. Everybody was encouraged to stay for lunch, whether they had contributed or not. The sheer amount of food on the tables was astonishing, considering most live in hard-hit areas.
It was great to see the generosity of the people there, helping those who had lost almost everything.
It was also great to see others who happened to be passing by feel free to come and join in and share our lunch. One guy turned up with water and produce from his garden to give to those who needed it, and he didn’t even know anyone there.
Makes a good change from reading stories about bludgers and looters.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Authorities are concerned by the safety of looters in the prisons. The traditional method of putting them into protected units will not work as even child sex offenders are boasting about shanking them. Therefore they propose to put looters in a concentration camp run by the NSW police.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Thanks for that trout. So did he mention the Red Cross etc or was he referring to government? Red Cross etc are relief orgs so wouldn’t be contributing to rebuilding i’d imagine, so they’re hardly a ‘risk’.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Smith was referring to disaster funds such as those proposed by John Key for use in a rebuild (not Red Cross or any other relief org.)
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Goddam, Bob Parker is like a superhero.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
From Radio Live this morning and other sources there are accounts of quite widespread property crimes [26 in one street] in some areas.
Because of fears held for their belongings and the lack of security [just windows and doors which cannot be closed, let alone other circumstances] some people are obviously opting to remain in places they would otherwise move out of. That this may place these people in further danger or hardship and anxiety is quite different from the Lotto odds of being robbed in the suburbs of any other New Zealand city.
To curb this I think it should be widely publicised that –
Despite concerns already raised for the safety of looters in prisons, there will be a mandatory sentence of one year for anyone committing crimes which take advantage of the situation arising from the earthquakes, and that this automatic one year imprisonment will be separate but additional to any other sentence consequent to conviction.
If there was enough support or calls for such a measure maybe it would become a reality. Or put another way, how many incidents will be required before something similar is considered? The country is after all a declared national emergency.
This is one way the rest of New Zealand could insist on a measure that would help the peace of mind and security of those in this disaster.
It needs a few well publicised night court sittings and a few people actually put away, since apparently we aren’t supposed to shoot the bastards in the streets where they stand.
Transfer this argument to General Debate if seems unseemly here.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Yvette, the slight flaw in that idea is that one year is lenient. I suggest 5.
As to other suggestions, I have been thinking about the donations side.
I donated to Red Cross, but then had a thought over how much of that donation would go directly to the needy, and how much would go to pay staff wages, and other outgoings of Red Cross.
I think a better system is a buddy type system.
I was talking to my neighbour on the weekend as she wanted “to do something”. I suggested her family, and ours, and three others in the street get together and donate $20 per week each family (x5) = $100 p/w. People could contribute more if they wanted. This could go as a direct payment to a needy family’s bank account.
I am sure that finding such families won’t be difficult, and all it needs is a coordinator to match up the donations with the family.
I don’t know where to start, but it’s an idea at least.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
@Gooner
Vote:You will be pleased to know that 100% of all donations to Red Cross go to helping people in need. Not one cent is used in staff wages etc. This is all paid for by the money raised from Red Cross first aid workshops. Red Cross is the ONLY charitable organisation that guarantees 100% of your donation goes where it is needed. Better still, give the Money to Red Cross via a New World supermarket. They have pledged to match dollar for dollar contributed by customers.
February 28th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Personally don’t see what’s so great about trivialising a disaster victims life. If any of my family passed away in the earthquake I wouldn’t want their ‘profiles’ plastered all over the media for random public consumption.
Stuff’s determination to publish details reeks of exploitation. These people aren’t martyrs who inadvertently laid down their life for someone’s greater cause. They were anonymous in life so should they be in death.
Partners and families should be required to give consent, but in their current frames of mind, one need ask, how informed would that consent be ?
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Thanks Fisiani. I still like the buddy system as you could see direct benefit, and might make a friend for life. The general slush fund is great, but as with taxes, you really have no idea where it has gone.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
The challenge this government is going to have in funding the restoration of CHC is how it dresses up the inevitable increase in taxation of the public without looking like singling out any one particular group.
You can look at it anyway you like, but the bottom line is that everyone is going to be slapped with some sort of levy, tax or duty. There will need to be a mix of mechanisms employed as I dont think there is one magic bullet.
My suggestion to JK and Co. is that they should target the sorts of things that people consider expedient in the face of a tragedy like this. One tool that could be used (and one that most people could hardly complain about) is to ask the 3.4m employed of the country to “forcibly” donate 1-2 working days per year for the next 2-3 years to help part fund the cost.
At the national average daily wage/salary of $105.80 you would raise $2.1b over three years if everyone gave up two days out of their 20 days annual leave. Slug self employed contractors at the payroll desk with a seperate contractors levy. This way the tax raising exercise can (partly) be seen as a bit more pallatable in context of something that we take for granted and which most people would be happy to give up. Its not permanent and sends the right message to the people of CHC.
The other tools should include raising the excise on ciggies and booze (both are still too cheap in NZ IMO), slapping the Unions around with hefty membership levies, selling the Chatham Islands on TradeMe, listing the All Blacks on the sharemarket so that “mum and dad investors” can increase their savings, and then bribing some Pakistani cricketers to throw a match against NZ and back the BlackCaps to win with the money raised from each of the other options. This should cover the tab for at least three new Christchurches and a spruce up of Hamilton and Dunedin.
I would also expect the gummint to use this opportunity to whack interest back on Student Loans and do away with Working for Families in the name of national savings. The abolition of these two policies must be made to this year at the very least. The cost of CHC earthquake doesnt really give them much choice.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
BWAV – just a shitty comment from you. People are grieving and you come up with that rubbish. This has impacted communities and i know people that have died and do not see it as trivialising their life. It gives us a perspective that allows us to know a little more of their life if we knew them through work etc.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
The Owen Glenn donation is typical of the man. That woman now at the UN and Mallard accepted his generosity though turned their back on Owen Glenn while at the same time they stood by Winston and his dumb dealings. The voters are not stupid they were able to see through the ploy. You are correct; the treatment he received was appalling.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
You should have got to know them a little better when they were alive then double d. Why care now when the dead care not ?
Sure people are grieving and the last thing the media should be doing is exploiting that grief by soliciting personal information and running gut wrenching pieces designed to wring out a few more tears for the victims.
I don’t need to pretend to know these people. That you need a different perspective on them is fine. To each their own. Hope it makes you feel better and deadens your pain by morbidly raking over profiles of the deceased in the media. To me it’s ghoulish and in excessively bad taste.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Sadly I am not all all surprised to see the Bludg.. sorry Beneficiaries howling and crying to the media/pleading for more handouts following the earthquake. The rest of Christchurch are rolling their collective sleeves up and getting stuck in cleaning up and trying to help anyway they can depite many of their own worlds collapsing. The mentality of the long-term beneficiary could not even comprehend helping others or attempting to clean up, since they have had many, many years of WINZ throwing great wads of cash in their direction for sitting on their fat bums smoking pot week in/week out!
Vote:I think Leighton Smith may have been taken a little out of context. I have donated to Red Cross but I too am a little apprehensive about what the Govt’s plans are for my tax dollar….
February 28th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
i gotta admit. im not donating any cash yet.
we are paying staff down there and advanced another one some cash.
once we get an idea of any new taxes, then ill consider donating cash.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
I too abhor the layer of sentimental glop the media dishes up.
Vote:How much better the hilarious time with an elderly aunt who regarded her wrecked home and smashed possessions with a characteristic shrug, got out the whisky bottle and regaled us with the memories tied up in every precious broken object – and then went cheerfully off to start the next chapter in her long life. There are plenty of staunch Kiwis like her so bugger the bludgers and looters and purveyors of pompous pieties.
February 28th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Fair enough, dime.
You gotta take care of you and yours before you can take care of others.
No one is any good to anyone else becoming another statistic.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Sadly it seems that those low life union types are already shit stirring, the unions are of the opinion that it is shocking for businesses to count enforced earthquake related days off as annual leave, apparently the unions think that the “greedy” business owners should be paying their staff their normal wages or salary despite those businesses having no income.
Can you imagine the type of worker who would take wages from their boss for six, seven or eight weeks and then apply for annual leave later in the year?
I would not have the hard neck to even ask.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
There is lots of generosity and kindness..but their seems to be two distinct kinds of people..active and passive..The active ones are getting on and doing things..the passive are waiting for others to do things.
Vote:My condolences to all the grieving families and friends
February 28th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Our businesses have supported the recent Canterbury earthquake and Pike River appeals. This time though, we have staff and contractors in Christchurch who have been directly affected by Tuesday’s. Our business efforts will focus on helping our staff down there rebuild their homes and lives. We have already made personal donations to various appeals, and that will continue. But this time we are looking after our own, and make no apologies for that.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@ big bruv – I guess we’ll see Matt Jones, EPMU henchman for Christchurch leading another Tour of Shame to highlight the plight of workers who have been ripped off by unscrupulous bosses (his words; not mine). The EPMU would earn some kudos if they actually got out and helped instead of pulling cynical media stunts.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Speaking of the EPMU….
Has anybody seen their sign written cars on the streets of Christchurch?, has anybody seen organised groups of union officials out there helping people?
Has anybody heard if the EPMU has donated to the relief fund?…..or are they saving their money for the election.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
“Look this is just my personal opinion, (Sue) Wells was saying, but the government is going to have to do something about the Resource Management Act to allow councils around the country to bring in tough city plans. Did (he) realise the last one, drawn back in 1991, is not even fully operative yet because there have been so many legal challeges from developers?” Feb26, 27
— John McCrone The Press
So the stairs collapsed in Forsyth Barr Building (formally) Robert Jones House (?).
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
This is unbelievable…
“TVNZ reports:
“3.24pm Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples is visiting the Maori earthquake response command centre at Wigram this afternoon”
More race based bullshit.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Big Bruv 4.46- This is exactly why I was concerned about the allocation of my tax dollar!! From the news report:
Sharples- “Other agencies whose offices cannot be used may join us over the coming days and weeks to become a hub mobilising the resources of Maori in Christchurch and around the country.”
Dr Sharples said there was a toll-free help line, 0800 KAI TAHU, for accommodation at local marae.
“Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu is making sure they have the fuel, food and bedding they need,” he said.
My 65 year-old mum’s house was extensively damaged by the quake and she has been sleeping (terrified) by candlelight and is distraught about how she will pay for repairs…Alas she is an evil ‘Colonial Pakeha’…I guess she doesn’t get a taxpayer funded handout from ‘Dr’ Sharples?
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
They’ll have to propitiate the taniwha as well.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
If Maori can provide a complementary support service similar to others that are being provided what’s the problem? There are a lot of people with a lot of diverse needs in Christchurch, surely it makes sense that the most appropriate type of help is made available. I don’t know if this agency fulfills that but it may do. Best to know all the details before jerking the knees.
Longknives, can’t your Mum find a support service or support centre that can help her?
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Pete the point has missed you by about a furlong.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@ big bruv, Longknives et al; turning it around, shouldn’t we be complimenting Ngai Tahu for taking some responsibility for their whanau, rather than leaving them in the lurch. Ngai Tahu is a wealthy iwi; personally I’m pleased to see them fronting up.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Inventory 2 the point has missed you by about three furlongs……
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Ok, help me out, what’s your point, maybe it’s different to bruv’s.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
What Pete said…
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
That’s all these radio shows ever do. They just try to say something controversial to attract listeners. I’m sure he doesn’t mean it.
I just hope when they increase our tax, the dole goes down by a comparable amount. My favourite way of using the money to help Christchurch would be to decrease the tax on everyone living there – this creates incentive for useful people to stay.
One other thing I’d like would be for new laws to be pushed through to significantly increase punishment of criminals taking advantage of natural disasters.
Campbell Live seems to be shamelessly exploiting the earthquake at the moment. There’s some guy predicting one for March – what an unuseful thing to have on TV at a time like this. You make me sick John Campbell.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Also what Pete said.
Based on that there’s no indication there’ll be Maori-only welfare support care of Sharples. There is just a parallel support structure springing up courtesy Ngai Tahu and good on them; doing precisely what we usually criticise them (iwi) for not doing.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
My point being, Mr George and Mr Inventory, Is that my retired mother (who has worked hard and payed taxes all her adult life) doesn’t seem quite as important to a certain Government MP (and to you two..) as people who are descended from a certain ethnic background….
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Longknives, there are plenty of websites offering support information and advice including :
http://canterburyearthquake.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/msd_wheretogethelp.pdf
And you can also use: Government Helpline 0800 779 997
They are open to any ethnicity – as is the Maori initiative, they specifically said it’s open to anyone.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
bwav – nasty piece of work. you meet people in your life and do not get to know them for a variety of reasons – the guy at the dairy, someone you talk to in a professional capacity etc etc.
but then …. they are all being exploited by nasty news corporates.
bwav – your bad taste and mine differ greatly.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
Campbell Live seems to be shamelessly exploiting the earthquake at the moment. There’s some guy predicting one for March – what an unuseful thing to have on TV at a time like this. You make me sick John Campbell.
Whether he is correct or not in March is irrelevant, all NZers need to be prepared for a time of increased seismic activity and get ready quick. If Ken Ring’s predictions encourage people to do so, then bloody good show I say, regardless of whether he is a crack pot or not.
Vote:We could be at the beginning of a decade of large earthquakes throughout the country, the frequency of large events has been increasing in recent times and we would be foolish to ignore the history of clusters of large earthquakes in this country.
We had comments on this blog attacking the geologists for saying a mag 6 was possible, and then here we are.
Get ready folks, we could be in this for the long haul.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Hello all,
I know my last post re: daily quiz on Feb 25 was stupid and overly emotional … so I hope you won’t hold it against me.
However; wondering if anyone has yet heard (by public or private communication) from D4J and/or one or two other regular posters here?
They’ve been gone a long time and power is restored to 75 – 80% of CHCH now.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Also, have you guys seen this:
http://www.lionfoundation.org.nz/about/news/5million-lion-foundation-emergency-relief/
If only all of our NZ companies were so great.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Very sad, but not surprising, to see John Key and National resort to failed corporate welfare policies.
Sadly most businesses that need these payouts will be the ones that will fold eventually anyway, the ones where premises and stock are damaged, the ones who were hurting from the recession anyway.
What needs to happen instead is a market correction so that businesses can fail but new ones can shoot up like roots from the ground. This could be assisted by a massive targeted tax relief package for Canterbury businesses.
All that these policies will do will delay the inevitable and worsen the NZ economy. Which should be the opposite of what we are trying to achieve in light of the massive economic pain cantabrians will feel over the next few years
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
How does it benefit you or the public good to supposedly ‘know’ these victims lives more by reading a snippet of trivia about them now they’re dead ? Maybe you’d like see before and after pictures of them also ?
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Campbell was actually trying to rubbish Ring and the scaremongering snowball.
Shunda, Ring says we should be sweet after April.
What if a whole bunch of people take his advice and heard for Greymouth for the weekend of 20th March – and the main fault goes? Ring warned of a possible quake withing 500km of the main fault. Where are they going to hide?
I agree it won’t do any harm prompting people to be better prepared in case something happens – but it doesn’t help unnecessarily scaring people about certain dates.
Interesting that this month Ring said the 18th +/- 3 days (it was four days after) – but seems to be staking his reputation on the 20th next month. The approximations may come afterwards, depending on whether anything happens or not.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Power on, water off again in Hoon Hay.
25 minute drive to work this morning (normally 15 minutes max. 1 hour to get back – normally a 25 minute drive in peak traffic). A heavy fog this morning, and with heavy traffic kicking up dust and silt, a surreal look about the city. A noticeable increase in Police presence. Some sharp aftershocks this morning.
A rumour running around that only one building in CBD will not be bowled, IRD of all places
Most of my immediate neighbours have left town – don’t blame them, but makes it harder work keeping an eye out for mongrel looters though. At least have roof over our heads. Chased some scum out on Thursday night that were lurking around an empty neighbouring property. An elderly neighbour had some filth knock on his door claiming they were from EQC and would take his electronics away for testing. He demanded ID and they said they were wearing Hi-Vis vests and don’t need it. At which point he presented a very ancient shotgun and they ran for their lives. It was unloaded and doubt it could fire anyway! Still, the point was made.
Dreadful first-hand stories coming through, and I fear the deathtoll will be higher than what is anticipated at the moment.
Still feeling very lucky, and almost guilty – house and family are fine, we both have work. This is not the case for 1000′s of Christchurch residents now. Hard to see how we will rebuild this once great city.
But I’m sure we will. One day at a time.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Damn noskire, sounds pretty grim. Keep safe mate
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
noskrie
Chin up mate, you will get through this, in the mean time we Wellingtonians can help you out for a while, how about you give us back the Ranfurly Shield so we can look after it for three or four seasons
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
nickb and big bruv – I’m good as gold guys. It’s the poor sods on the east side that have taken the brunt of this.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
And invest in a 12 gauge and some buckshot and take care of a few looters, will you
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
John Campbell had a shocking interview with Ken Ring tonight.
Vote:Who cares what Campbell thinks – I am interested in what Ring thinks. I don’t need Campbell’s patronising attitude that Ring is frightening us – of course all of us down in Christchurch are bloody frightened. What a tosser – a voyuer who wallows in other peoples fear for his own glory. I still don’t know what Ken Ring thinks thanks to Campbell’s badgering and overbearing interview.
February 28th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
The gunsafe is still locked, but there might be one or two “tools” temporarily in the “survival kit”…
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
God he is a prize fuckwit isn’t he?
One of the most pompous self-important twats on TV, and that is saying something.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
“One of the most pompous self-important twats on TV, and that is saying something.”
Ken Ring or John Campbell?
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
nickb, I’m not sure of the exact figures, but from what I understand, around 80% of NZ business’ employ less than 10 staff. It’s these 500+ in the Christchurch CBD that the Govt is targeting. The cafes, accountants, bakeries, butchers, boutique retailers, IT companies etc. The Christchurch CBD is worth almost 10% of the entire GDP of NZ – we can’t allow these companies to fail. They need to time to hold onto their staff, get on their feet and find alternative accommodation.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
@noskire … glad you and your neighbour(s) are okay!
I really hope you guys stay well in the coming days and weeks, whether that means staying in ChCh or not.
As for the looters/crims/filth/scum … I’m a big fan of your elderly neighbour for presenting the shotgun in their face … IMHO, they deserve a lot worse than the “threat” of a shotgun.
It is a wonderful thing to read how well you all are supporting each other in the CHCH neighborhoods and on a personal level.
Stay strong, dude !!
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
case rested.
Vote:just nasty.
i am looking for positives and you want to focus on the negative.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
The Govt package isn’t too bad as far as I can see, they didn’t have a very strong hand to play on this one. I do agree with noskire’s comments about not letting businesses in the CBD fail. If many of these businesses fail it’s hard to see how Chch can ever recover.
I am pleased to hear that Key wants inquiries into the CTV and Pyne Gould buildings. It must be vigorously pursued to find out what happened with the safety checks between the two massive quakes. Also apart from the Smiths City Parking building collapse a vast number of the other collapsed buildings were aging brick structures. I do think the Chch public will demand that any building that cannot stand another big quake must be demolished. The 30% of buildings being stuffed figure I think is far too low. I think it well be more like 45-50%.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
@pharmachick
Thanks for your support. We will stay well and we’re going to be a part of rebuilding this fine city, however long it takes…
The people that need support now are the ones who have had bus-sized boulders crash throught their homes, the elderly that are too frightened to open up their front door for help, even if they’re desperate for water, the CBD workers who saw brick walls collapse on their co-workers as they fled their desks, – the children now without a dad or mum (or both). It’s one day at a time (and while I write this what I suspect is a 4.5 aftershock rips through the street – stupid cat still hiding in the hot water cupboard).
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
noskrie
Make sure you put some food and a little water in the hot water cupboard for the cat, at times like this they seek dark and small spaces.
He/she will be just fine if you leave him/her alone.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Bloody aftershocks, just had another one……….
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Just some more light on how things are at for those of you outside of Christchurch.
Many of the eastern suburbs, especially those close to the sea are stuffed at the moment. Liquefaction is incredicble, plus the lateral movement of roads etc. No power or water, and many of those areas are home to lower socio-economic persons (not having a go).
The western side has escaped relatively unscathed, unlike September 4th when the likes of Halswell got hit pretty hard.
The CBD seems to be a write-off. What buildings, if any, that are allowed to remain (another 4ish then), are unlikely to have access for weeks, maybe months.
Apart from the obvious damage to buildings, serious work needs to be done looking at the ground structure now. A lot of work ahead.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Cheers big bruv, don’t worry, bloody cat let’s me know when it needs (wants) fed
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
You’re one sick puppy, morbidly focussing on the dead and suffering. A real positive ray of sunshine you and the media are double d. Enjoy your profiles in getting to ‘know’ the deceased. I’m sure the media are. It’s all about you and what they think you need to know. Take comfort that you’re not alone though. Misery loves company.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Got a dog as well noskire?
They are the ones who really need to be watched closely at times like this.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
@big bruv – Going to adopt a retired greyhound when this all dies down. Still, I wouldn’t mind having a nice big Rhodesian Ridgeback prowling around the section at the moment.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Ratiings for the TV media people
Hilary Barry – Excellent, no over the top emoting.
Petra Bagust – Gets on my wick.
Corin Dann – Professional but what the f**k is that around his neck.
John Campbell – I enjoyed his bizarre interview with the Moon Man but apart from that……. ewww
Wendy Petrie – Below average.
Of the two NZ channels, TV1 are far too repetitive, TV3 are way better.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
@Lindsay Addie – from what I can see, it’s better for people not to stay glued to the TV. It’s just reaffirming doom and gloom, if that’s what you want. We had neighbours stay with us after the Sep 4 quake and they went bat-crazy after being stuck to the couch and watching the news 24/7.
I do a brief scan of Stuff and SMH each day, and have Newstalk ZB on in the car when commuting. Mike Hosking is the stand-out broadcaster in NZ IMO.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
@big bruv
Vote:thoroughly appreciate your comments/commitment to the animals.
Pets are also vulnerable and terrified in these circumstances.
FWIW, your recent recommendations have been on point and perhaps more pet oweners/families should pay attention
Cheers
February 28th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
noskire,
I tend to agree, I must say Kathryn Ryan of RNZ has been good with intelligent guests by and large.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
@pharmachick and big bruv
Cat (Lola) just has fled the hot water cupboard and boosted outside. There is an eerie silence and stillness outside once again.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Lindsay, I don’t listen to RNZ much. What time slot is Kathryn on?
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
9am till noon.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Ta mate. Off now. Take care all.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 11:41 pm
noskire, thank you for your updates, I have a lot of uncles and aunts in Chch as well as my Grandmother, people like yourself help me to better understand their current predicament.
I really want to race over the hill and help out somehow, but I realise that there is probably nothing I can do that isn’t already being done.
That said, if you know anyone that needs a hand (and we won’t be in the way), just post and I will organise some troops.
Good luck mate and hang in there.
Vote:March 1st, 2011 at 12:13 am
For all those talking about Ring, please read:
Vote:http://www.sillybeliefs.com/ring.html