Text at top reads 'Some Christchurch suburbs to move?... The cartoon shows three complete suburbs that have been dug up and are now being flown by helicopters attached to tall towers to their new spots on the Australian Gold Coast. Someone in one of the houses on the move yells 'Woohoo! Yeehaa! Well... As NZ and Ozzie are such great mates... Gold Coast here we come!' Context - In some cases where whole communities have to move because the earthquakes have made it impossible for them to remain in their present locations, many in the community have elected to try to move and relocate together in order to retain their old neighbours and community spirit. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Text at the top reads 'Bob's next speech?... The cartoon shows Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker making a speech - 'We shall fight on the beaches... We shall fight in the liquefaction... We shall fight in the cracks... We shall fight on the falling rocks and in the sinkholes... We shall fight in the portaloos... We shall fight in the sewage pipes... We shall fight in the polluted waters and subsided streets... We shall fight in the heritage buildings including the Dux de Lux... We shall NEVER surrender! A man leans over a fence and yells 'Hey Bob... How about a rewrite..."We shall raise the white flag and shall get the hell out!"' Context - The continuing earthquakes and aftershocks are causing serious problems in Christchurch, both practical and emotional. Many people are considering leaving the city. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A crowd of Christchurch rugby fans wearing the red and black colours, gather to wish the Crusaders well as they leave for Australia. Someone shouts 'Red and black... It's one zone we ALL belong in!' Context - The Reds (Queensland) and Crusaders (Christchurch) played on the 11th July in the Final of the Investec Super Rugby competition at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. The Crusaders were narrowly beaten 18-13. The comment referring to 'one zone' relates to the dividing Christchurch, after the earthquakes, into zones labelled with different colours that indicates whether buildings have to be removed, or can be repaired or whether a decision has yet to be made or they are ok. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows a man representing Christchurch holding aloft the words 'belief', 'optimism' and 'faith' on a plate. Refers to the blueprint for central Christchurch developed by the Christchurch Central Development Unit, which was unveiled on 30 July 2012. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A container labelled 'Chch East residents' has landed on the far side of the planet Mars. Others have landed or are descending. People in space suits exit the containers. One of them shakes hands with a green Martian commenting to him that the ground there is solid, it has nice views and "... the locals are a lot less alien than the insurance agents back home". Cartoon published when NASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars on 5 August 2012. At this time there there was public debate over insurance claims by earthquake survivors in Christchurch's eastern suburbs. Title taken from item. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s). Processing information: Record title, scope and contents and note fields were updated in June 2025 as part of reparative description work. Details available on request.
A group of bleary-eyed people is admiring a work of abstract art that is framed by what appears to be marijuana. The artwork is signed 'Cera'. Refers to ongoing zoning plans for quake-stricken Christchurch. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows Christchurch's Anglican cathedral receiving extensive treatment including blood, ambulances, scaffold and signs reading 'save!' In the background Christchurch's Catholic Cathedral says it wants its share of attention as well. Context: The focus of repairing the Christchurch Anglican cathedral appeared to draw focus and resources from the equally historic and damaged Catholic Cathedral. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Under the caption 'Best value for money?' is a football stadium displaying a red cross. From within a voice proclaims the advantages of having a combined covered stadium, hospital and blood bank. Under CERA, the Christchurch Central Development Unit had planned for a covered sports stadium, with attached facilities and shops as one of the key sites in the Christchurch rebuild after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The 'blood bin' refers to the recent practice in rugby of sending off players with flesh wounds. There were also plans for a new hospital. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows a shamrock superimposed on the city of Christchurch. It represents the green zone. Context: Probably refers to the zoning review process for those insured residential property owners who wish to query their land zoning. Zoning of flat land in greater Christchurch began in June last year and was completed last month. Over that period 7253 properties were zoned red as unsuitable for residential occupation due to significant earthquake damage; while a further 180,000 properties were zoned green as suitable for residential occupation, some with conditions. (rebuildchristchurch, 15 June 2012) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Inside the Christchurch City Council building someone wonders what that noise is. Outside a gigantic wave of 'public discontent' rushes towards them. Context: Relates to anger and a protest of 4000 people at what they see as poor performance by the City Council in dealing with earthquake issues. The final straw was the Council's decision on the advice of its consultants to award the Council Chief Executive Tony Marryatt a $68,000 14% pay rise mid December 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A woman in a burqa walks out of the 'Church of the Multi-denominations'. The church has a steeple and an onion dome. Context: The cartoonist says that the cartoon was drawn for a satirical piece about the rebuilding of Christchurch. Because of the number of churches damaged, including the Anglican cathedral, The cartoon suggests that there should just build one massive church on the AMI stadium site that all religions can use on their particular day....spires would be raised and lowered etc. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Two skeletal people sit in armchairs waist-deep in silt. The man is reading the newspaper and says 'The wait's over! The Land Report's due out dear!... DEAR?' He realises that his wife, whose bony hand clutches 'EQC update No. 37', is dead. Context - On Thursday 23 June Prime Minister John Key, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and representatives from engineering consultants Tonkin & Taylor announced the first part of the Government's long-awaited land report that revealed the fate of up to 5000 quake-damaged homes. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows the 'CCC Office' (Christchurch City Council) as a small ramshackle wooden building in a desert; bits of animal skeleton lie around and there are saguaro cactus and tumbleweed. A cowboy has arrived and asks 'So... Can I speak to the Deputy, Deputy, Deputy, Assistant Sheriff?' Context - A reference to layers of officialdom in Christchurch as the city struggles to rebuild itself as well as many councillors being away on holiday while the quake problems continue. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Martin Setchell, the organist, is shown playing a mouth organ made out of cardboard tubes. This is a comment on the controversy over the replacement of Christchurch Cathedral, which was severely damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, by a temporary building made out of cardboard tubing. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A plane flies into the distance. Attached to it by a rope is a large package containing Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and CEO of the City Council Tony Marryatt. The package is addressed 'Deepest Siberia c/- isolated hellhole Russia'. The mayor looks on the bright side considering this to be a junket the people will approve of. Context: Public disapproval of the Mayor's two-week tour of Asian countries with a Christchurch International Airport-led delegation. The airport is paying for the mayoral couple to take part in the trip. There is public criticism that the trip take place at this time because of ongoing problems with the council and earthquake recovery. There is also criticism of Tony Marryatt's $68,000 pay increase considered poor form when so many people are struggling with earthquake related problems. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Roger Sutton, former chief executive of the the power lines company, Orion and since June 2011 Chief Executive Officer of the Canterbury Earhquake Recovery Authority, is shown in a straitjacket, raving. An unseen interviewer asks him how it feels after 'two years in the job'. Roger Sutton's work in leading the Earthquake Authority after the February earthquake was extremely stressful, considering the magnitude of the task. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Text across the top reads 'Wearing burqas and veils could limit job prospects...' The cartoon shows a crowd of people hidden under a huge burqa-like cloth. A man peers from both ends of the crowd and one of them says 'Well, we work behind a veil and STILL have jobs... And so do all our mates!' The man at the other end gives a cheerful thumbs up. There is a great deal of whispering about 'jobs for the...' and 'split contracts'. Above is a notice that reads 'Council job contract meeting'. Context - Complaints have been laid with the Auditor-General's Office about the Christchurch City Council's handling of consultants' contracts (to do with the rebuilding of the city after the earthquakes). City councillors have been questioning the council's awarding of more than $2.8 million of contracts to consultants. The burqa has been in the news lately with bus-drivers refusing to accept women in burqas on their buses. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Text reads 'Uses for Christchurch rubble?...' The cartoon shows a bridge made partially of earthquake rubble leading from Lyttelton Harbour to Diamond Harbour on Banks Peninsula. Someone in a van says 'At long last... A bridge to Diamond Harbour!' And someone else says 'And somewhere to fish!' Context - Rubble from the earthquake may be used for the construction of watersides and bridges. This cartoon is a fanciful use for Christchurch earthquake rubble. Currently a ferry connects Diamond Harbour to Lyttelton, on the harbour's northern shore. In combination with buses from Lyttelton to downtown Christchurch, this allows residents of Diamond Bay to commute to the city. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Text reads 'Refugees told they're not welcome in NZ...' The cartoon shows a boat full of refugees, which has tattered sails, one bearing the words 'We need a home'. A helicopter flies by and someone says 'False alarm! They're Christchurch residents trying to get out!' Context - A boat full of Sri Lanken Tamils supposedly want to come to New Zealand as refugees has been told by Prime Minister John Key that they are 'not welcome'. The pm has been accused of 'scaremongering' and that he 'has misjudged his response'. (Nelson Mail 13 July 2011). Also a reference to the plight of many people in Christchurch whose houses have been condemned by the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Depicts National MP Aaron Gilmore walking off carrying two suitcases. A row of Christchurch insurance men are calling for him to return and saying they have the right job for his talents. Refers to Gilmore's resignation after National Party censure following to his drunken bullying behaviour to a waiter in a Hanmer Springs restaurant (3 News 13 May 2013) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Passengers use the baggage carousel at the Christchurch Airport to sleep on as they are swept around. 'Such a unique concept... a revolving motel!' Shortage of accommodation in Christchurch, because of earthquake-damaged hotels and motels and workers coming in for the Rebuild, was a serious problem for travellers to Christchurch, leading many to sleep in the airport overnight. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon depicts a rose window set in a stone wall. The glass circles each contain a dollar sign. Refers to the future of the Christchurch Cathedral after the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. The Anglican Church seemed to only consider the money in arguing that it would be too expensive to be repaired or rebuilt. Title from file name Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Christchurch City Councillor Aaron Keown has brought a building down on top of himself by hammering it with a mallet in his attempt to chain himself to it. Context: Refers to the start of the demolition of the Christchurch Cathedral in the wake of the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Aaron Keown has said he will chain himself to the cathedral to stop it being demolished. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A monster cook who represents 'Mother Nature' stirs several pots as storms swirl outside the window. She has a list of recipes that read 'earthquake entree, tornado twisties, blizzard Bolognese, volcanic mudcake, flood fondue, cyclone souffle'; she says 'Mmmm what shall I cook up next?' Context - the bad weather and the Christchurch earthquake that have afflicted the South Island recently. Published in The Sunday Star Times Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows snarling rats labelled 'insurance companies' in a cityscape. Context: Concerns about shortfall in insurance cover have arisen in response to the Christchurch City Council's draft annual plan, which proposes a 7.5 per cent rates increase to fund earthquake rebuild (Stuff 23 April 2012). Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows Bishop Victoria Matthews reading a brochure offering cheap deals for cathedrals and their various accoutrements. Context: refers to the debate about the fate of the Christchurch Cathedral. Bishop Victoria Matthews is in favour of demolishing the cathedral to a certain safe level. The lobby for saving the cathedral, wrecked by the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, is very strong. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
At a time when the public needs an excellent service from their city council because of earthquake problems an independent government representative has been appointed to help get the dysfunctional [Christchurch] council back on track. Includes the news that chief executive Tony Marryatt has announced he has turned down a controversial $68,000 pay rise. Problems in the council have been apparent for several months, and in the last week there have been calls for the councillors to be sacked and replaced by commissioners. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows a happy crowd playing in the sea and sand in the Christchurch Square. Bishop Victoria Matthews is seen balancing on the Wizard of Christchurch who has turned himself into a surfboard. Context: refers to a proposal by Bishop of Christchurch Victoria Matthews that the earthquake-damaged Square could be made "welcoming and engaging" again by transforming it into an artificial beach with large movie screens. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows flowers at the Ellerslie Flowershow that represent various politicians. They are (from left) Mayor Bob Parker, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) chief executive Roger Sutton, Gerry Brownlee Minister of Earthquake recovery, Tony Marryatt, the Christchurch council chief executive, former Nelson mayor Kerry Marshall appointed Crown observer to oversee city council issues, Christchurch City Councillor Aaron Keown, and Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows a patched wind up heart labelled 'ChCh Central' with several tubes attached. Context: On 18 April 2012 Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee annnounced the establishment of Christchurch Central Development Unit focussing on the rebuilding of the Christchurch Central Business District (CBD) (Scoop website 18 April 2012). Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).