The letters 'CHCH' are built from broken masonry and stand amongst the chaos of broken buildings. It is the usual acronym for the city of Christchurch; here however it stands for 'catastrophe', 'havoc', 'care', 'help'. Context - on 22 February 2011 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck in Christchurch, which has probably killed more than 200 people (at this point the number is still not known) and caused very severe damage. The courage, generosity and 'can do' attitude of the people of Christchurch has been wonderful but the whole country and is contributing to the effort to get Christchurch back on its feet as well as aid from overseas. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Text reads 'Latest Christchurch East band' The name of the band is 'The Silty Stones' and the band sings 'We can't get no... sa-tis-faction! 'Cos we got more li-qui-faction! And we cry, and we cry, and we try to get by We can't get no sa-tis-faction!' The band are cleaning up the latest liquefaction from around a house and are using their tools as musical instruments. Context: there was a 4.9 magnitude aftershock in Canterbury on December 26th (Boxing Day 2011) The song is a take-off of the 'Rolling Stones' song 'We can't get no satisfaction'. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows the mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker being targeted by someone with a gun. He is told that this lesson one of relationship counselling. Context: The Christchurch City Council has been having severe relationship problems which has resulted in a demonstration of 4000 people demanding that the council step aside and that new elections be called. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Scene set at Santa Claus' 'Online Christmas Orders Dept' at the North Pole. One elf remarks 'ANOTHER Marmite order from New Zealand'. The sole Marmite factory in New Zealand was damaged in the Christchurch Earthquake of 2011. Further aftershocks led to the shutting down of the factory until late 2012. The remaining stocks ran out, leading to panic buying at inflated prices by Marmite aficionados. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows the word 'Christchurch' with 'church' crossed out and replaced with 'mess'. A second version has the word 'scary' added. A third version has the word 'church' replaced by 'mas'. A fourth version has the words 'early' and 'presence' included and 'church' is replaced by 'mess'. Context: concern about continuing trials and tribulations of Christchurch with unremitting earthquakes and aftershocks. Four versions of this cartoon are available Quantity: 4 digital cartoon(s).
A man and a woman wearily face one another wondering how they should celebrate two years of frustration. Context: relates to continuing frustration over lack of progress by many people whose houses have been damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
In the top panel a kiwi reads the newspaper which has headlines reading 'Milk prices', 'BMW limos', 'Dodgy politicians', and 'Foreign despot news' and says 'Let's get this all in perspective'. In the lower panel the kiwi walks among the ruins and the graves of Christchurch and thinks 'Christchurch and Canterbury need our attention and care!!' Context - The very severe Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 in which probably more than 200 people died and an enormous amount of structural damage has been done. The headlines refer to Fonterra putting a freeze on the price of milk, the government buying expensive limos (both of these making headlines because of the state of the economy) and lastly the 'foreign despot' is Gaddafi in Libya. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Ruamoko, the Earthquake God, stirs in his bed, and with a sudden yawn, wonders if it is time to awake again. Above him Christchurch City trembles. On 15 May 2012, after several months of comparatively small quakes, a 4.5 Richter Scale earthquake was registered only 10 km East of Christchurch. Quake-weary Christchurch citizens feared that another large earthquake was on its way. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Two cowboys representing the CCC (Christchurch City Council) and 'protesters' are about to have a gun battle in a deserted street. 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. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Cartoon depicts a person wearing a "Rachel Hunter disguise" saying "Maybe NOW they'll let me into the Red Zone!". A second person responds "It won't happen overnight... but it will happen!". Refers to frustration from Christchurch business owners at not being allowed into the Red Zone following the earthquake on 22 February 2011. Source of information: Heather, Ben. "Anger rising outside red zone". 'The Press', 3 June 2011, https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5094323/Anger-rising-outside-red-zone accessed 25 November 2025. Title taken from item. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s). Processing information: Description written by Library staff updated as part of reparative description work November 2025. Details available on request.
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).
Text across the top of the cartoon reads 'Mayor in Nepal' Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker climbs a snowy slope towards 'Mt Junket'; he is followed by sherpas carrying candles, dining table and wine glasses. Bob Parker says 'I am focused on the summit and they don't get much bigger than this!' Context - Bob Parker gave the keynote address at a United Nations-sanctioned symposium in Nepal on disaster-risk reduction. The UN and the United States Government paid Parker's costs. The disaster risk symposium featured speakers from Pakistan and Haiti - two countries struck by large earthquakes.(The Press 15 February 2011) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Several months after the Canterbury earthquakes the Minister for the Redevelopment of Christchurch, Gerry Brownlee, tells people in Christchurch to stop fretting as 'Christchurch will still be a very English looking city'. He refers to several rebuilding options that imitate English cities. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
'Cappuccino dreams'. Christchurch mayoral candidates Jim Anderton and incumbent mayor Bob Parker tell constituents that they will get respectively more transparency in 'financial dealings' and in 't-shirts'. As the earthquake strikes they continue their electioneering until they are told to 'clear orf' because 'these frames lack substance'. A front-end loader begins to dismantle the structure from which they are speaking. Refers to the local body elections to take place 9th October and the Canterbury earthquake of 4th September. Published in the Presto 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).
The cartoon shows a desperate man representing 'Christchurch' who is clutching the end of a broken plank that protrudes from a crumbling cliff-face. He says 'Who said we're living ON the edge?!' Context - the man is suggesting that they are not On the edge but OVER it. Refers to the continuing hardships facing many Christchurch residents as earthquakes and aftershocks continue and many face large financial losses because of insurance problems. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Two men discuss in a pub the problem that Christchurch has about how to house all the workers arriving to rebuild the city. One of them suggests the solution found for the workers on the Manapouri Dam which was housing them on cruise liners. Context: One solution has been provided by the Defence Force who are leasing 42 derelict NZDF houses next to Burnham Military Camp. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Two men sit safe amongst the devastation of an earthquake surrounded by collapsed buildings and crushed cars; one has his head in his hands and the other says 'Remind me what we were all arguing about before all this'. Context - on 22 February 2011 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck in Christchurch which has probably killed more than 200 people (at this point the number is still not known) and caused very severe damage. The second man is aware of the relative unimportance of petty squabbles and differences of opinion against the enormity of the earthquake. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Cartoon drawn in the style of a pen and ink drawing of the broken Christchurch Cathedral. One version has 'RIP' printed above the non-existant spire and the second has 'RIP' and the words 'Rest in Pieces'. A decision has been made to demolish the cathedral which was severely damaged by the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Two versions of this cartoon are available Title from file name Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Refers to the reopening of the Christchurch strip club 'Calendar Girls' after more than a year inside the central-city cordon. The building suffered minimal damage but was inaccessible because damage to neighbouring buildings meant the road (Hereford Street) were closed. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Prime Minister John Key sits at his desk on which are two baskets; the first is labelled 'Great news' and contains a very few documents and the second which is labelled 'Disasters' is so laden that it is causing the desk to crack. Context: New Zealand seems to be beset with disasters: the earthquakes in Christchurch, the 'Rena' shipwreck and consequeny oilspill etc. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A man, half shown, sits on a loo and says 'Dang! I'm busting again! as he reaches for the toilet paper which has a different 'quake claim' printed on each section. Context - Magnitude 6.0 and 5.5 earthquakes rocked Christchurch again at 1pm and 2.20pm on 13th June 2011. These quakes follow the first earthquake on September 4th 2010 and the second on February 22nd 2011. (www.stuff.co.nz, 13 June 2011) Each time there is a significant quake more damage is done and so people have to make further insurance claims. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows New Zealand's flag but it has lost one of its four stars. Down in the lower right corner a group of rescue workers using cranes, a cherry picker and a long ladder have pulled the fourth star out of the rubble and are replacing it on the flag. Context - on 22 February 2011 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck in Christchurch which killed 185 people and caused very severe damage. Colour and black and white versions of this cartoon are available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
A man representing 'Christchurch' kneels on the floor and tips out the pieces of the 'broken heart jigsaw'. He wonders where to start. Context - on 22 February 2011 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck in Christchurch which has probably killed more than 200 people (at this point the number is still not known) and caused very severe damage. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A policeman and his dog stop outside a house wrecked in the Christchurch earthquake and phone for assistance saying 'Have found signs of low-life' because he can see 'Christchurch looting in progress'. Context - on 22 February 2011 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck in Christchurch, which has probably killed more than 200 people (at this point the number is still not known) and caused very severe damage. The courage, generosity and 'can do' attitude of the people has been wonderful apart from the antisocial behaviour of a few looters and others taking advantage of the situation. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows two visitors to Christchurch who can enjoy the excitement of the danger of earthquakes without car bombings. Context: refers to the Christchurch earthquakes and continuing aftershocks. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A helicopter from Christchurch flies over New Zealand looking for somewhere to rebuild but everywhere are notices referring to fires, floods, oily beaches, volcanoes and geysers, quakes, landslides. Nowhere seems to be safe. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows a fish wondering about the difference between an insurer delaying earthquake-damage settlements and a scavenging groper. Context: refers to the unacceptable and hugely damaging delays in the provision of earthquake damage settlements by insurance companies after the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows Minister for Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, telling a Christchurch couple that NZ on Air is funding a six part television drama about the Christchurch earthquakes. Context: the series will be directed by Gaylene Preston. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon depicts the Minister of Earthquakes Gerry Brownlee, with a portaloo in place of a head. He holds in his hand a document which reads 'Govt appointed quake panel (Shipley etc) paid twice normal fees: $1000 - 1400 daily'. A voice from inside the toilet says 'It's because they're high calibre people!' Context: Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee lobbied his colleagues to pay a Government-appointed panel more than twice the recommended rate because he claimed they would not do it for less - even though he never asked them. On Mr Brownlee's advice, the Cabinet more than doubled the pay rates for the panel from the recommended fees, which was a daily rate of $360 to $655 for the panel chairman and $270 to $415 for panel members. The Cabinet increased this to $1400 a day for the chairman and $1000 a day for the other members. (NZ Herald, 9 August 2011) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
