The cartoon shows a mobile CBD (central business district) which is mounted on tractor tracks and will be great for dodging aftershocks. Refers to problems and questions about the rebuilding of the Christchurch CBD after the earthquakes and while aftershocks continue. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A study by the Department of Labour shows 24,000 extra workers will be needed to complete the rebuild of Christchurch. The workers to be housed at Burnham or on a ship in Lyttelton, there are so many advantages to this scheme that the man in the cartoon decides it cannot possibly work. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows the word 'Christchurch' fractured by earthquake. Text above reads 'The new tear(s)'. A second version has the text in the singular 'The new tear'. Context: In spite of Christchurch's great hopes for a new year without earthquakes, there have been numerous quakes and aftershocks. A wordplay on 'new year' and 'new tear' - that is weeping with fear and dismay. Two versions of this cartoon are available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Shows a new warning system in Christchurch that consists of the heads of Gerry Brownlee, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister, the Mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker and CERA CEO Roger Sutton. Each bellows his particular mantra. Context: Christchurch's new tsunami warning system will be tested on Sunday 22 July at 11am for one to two minutes. 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 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 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).
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.
Shows a aerial representation of Christchurch's eastern suburbs with the course of the Avon River. The new river course spells the word 'munted'. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
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, young people carrying their baggage flutter into the air, away from Canterbury and toward 'Oz'. In September GNS Earth Sciences reported that after the earthquakes, the Greendale and associated faults were still moving as they settled into a new configuration. At the same time the young were leaving Canterbury (and New Zealand) for a better future in Australia. The population of New Zealand was moving into a new configuration. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A worried Hekia Parata, Minister of Education, tells John Key, the Prime Minister, that schools in Canterbury are resisting being merged. John Key replies that the government will go through a 'consultation process' and then 'do what we like'. However the schools are claiming marae status and thus protection under the Treaty of Waitangi. The 'Hui report' which the Prime Minister is holding confirms this fear. The Ministry of Education, given the excuse of the Canterbury earthquakes, announced that many schools there will be merged or closed. Threatened schools, particularly the two Maori language schools, lodged complaints with the Waitangi Tribunal. 'Hui reports' refers to the claims and resulting hui over the water rights of the proposed partial privatisation of state assets. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
On the second anniversary of the 2010 earthquake Canterbury weeps. 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 huge mosquitoes attacking a man. Context: It could be that there is a larger population of mosquitoes in Christchurch at the moment because of stagnant areas left by the earthquakes. And it could be that a new mosquito species may be causing Cantabrians to suffer bad reactions to bites. The species is known as the striped mosquito, or Aedes notscriptus. 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).
Text above the image reads 'Time capsule discovered under founder's statue-' The statue of John Robert Godley, the founder of Christchurch, has toppled and a time capsule has been uncovered in the rubble by three rescue workers. One of them reads the document he has pulled out of the capsule and it says 'Personally I favoured Akaroa...' Context - the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 after which 2 time capsules were found under the John Robert Godfrey statue - they have been sent to Museum experts to open. Akaroa was largely unaffected by the earthquake. A Nelson newspaper 'The Colonist' in an article published in 1918 about the time capsule in Christchurch said, "This statute of John Robert Godley executed by Thomas Woolner was erected in the west side of the Cathedral Square by the Provincial Government of Canterbury, and unveiled by the late Sir Charles Christopher Bowen on August 6 1867, it was moved to this site in March 1918." (3 News 2 March 2011) Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
'The Politician' cartoon strip. A member of the government staff reads in a newspaper 'These emergency powers they've given the minister are the equivalent of war powers' and he adds 'and he's making the most of them!' The second frame shows a minister wearing a military uniform with cap that includes copious braiding and medals; he is sitting behind a desk labelled 'Minister General'. Context - Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) will be established as a stand-alone government department to enable an effective, timely and co-ordinated rebuilding and recovery effort in Canterbury. The controversial bill empowers the new Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) to take control of councils it believes are failing on reconstruction work. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Several 'quake victims' dive into a fissure and zip it up as Santa Claus in the form of a malignant '$' symbol leaps towards them yelling 'Ho! Ho! Ho!' One of the quake victims shouts 'Quick Hide! Christmas is getting closer!!' Context; the Christchurch earthquake on 4th September and all the subsequent aftershocks have cost many people a great deal of money. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
MP Jim Anderton who is standing for Mayor of Christchurch in the coming local body elections (9th October) stands up to his chest in a crack in the road waving a sign that reads 'Jim Anderton for mayor' and yelling "I'm still here!' Refers to the very high profile that his rival the standing mayor Bob Parker has enjoyed in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake of 4th September 2010. Jim Anderton has rather faded out of the limelight by comparison. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The South Island is depicted as a punch bag which is reeling with the punishment inflicted after having been practised on by 'blizzards', 'earthquakes', 'disasters' and now 'drought'. Context; the Christchurch earthquake of 4 October and the Pike River Mine disaster of 19 November as well as some fairly extreme weather. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett stands on a large carpet that represents the 'dole'; she has swept the detritus of 'job initiatives', 'unemployment' and 'job summit' under the carpet with a broom and says 'The benefit system is there and can sort of get as big as it needs to' Context - the Government has announced its business assistance package to Christchurch is to be watered down and then cease over the next few weeks. John Key and Paula Bennett have said that 'the dole will be there for them'. Clayton Cosgrove Labour's Canterbury Earthquake Recovery spokesperson says Prime Minister John Key and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett are cruelly missing the point in terms of Canterbury people who lose their jobs in the wake of the earthquakes. He says "They want jobs, and they want to know what the Government is going to do about ensuring Christchurch businesses can get up and running again". (Business Scoop 5 April 2011) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Labour leader Phil Goff is being 'shored up' and strengthened by reinforced steel beams which represent his 'leadership. He tells ACT leader Rodney Hide who holds a newspaper with a headline reading 'ACT rattled again' that he needs to 'strengthen now before the next shake up!' As an insecure leader he is showing sympathy to Rodney Hide who is even more insecure because of the recent embarrassment of the David Garrett debacle. The title of the cartoon is 'Quake-proofing essential...' which is a reference to the Christchurch earthquake of 4th September and the continuing aftershocks. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A woman sits at the breakfast table reading the paper - As her husband comes through the door behind her she comments that the 'Regional Council says rural people should be checking their septic tanks!' Her husband is covered in muck and surrounded by flies - he has clearly been taking the council's advice. Refers to the news that the Canterbury Regional Council is encouraging rural residents with septic tanks to check their wastewater system for any signs of damage following September's earthquake. (Radio NZ News 5 November 2010) Both colour and black and white versions of this cartoon are available Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A man has climbed an active volcano and pitched a tent in order to get away from the Canterbury earthquake and the flooding in the lower North Island. Refers to the Christchurch earthquake of 4th September 2010 as well as the heavy rain, slips, and flooding from Whanganui in the centre of the North Island down to the Rimutaka Hill Road, North of Wellington. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Someone representing 'government', 'neighbours', 'firemen', 'friends' etc, all of which are printed on a her tshirt, reaches down with a 'helping hand' to 'Canterbury'. Refers to the Canterbury of 4th September 2010. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
An arm representing the 'Citizens & Volunteers of Christchurch' offers an Oscar Award for 'True Grit'. Context - Admiration at the way the people and the volunteers have managed after the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011. True Grit is a 2010 American Western film written and directed by the Coen brothers. It is the second adaptation of Charles Portis' 1968 novel of the same name, which was previously adapted for film in 1969 starring John Wayne. Colour and black and white versions of this cartoon are available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
A man who represents 'Chch citizens' struggles up a rough and rocky road carrying over his shoulder a huge load that represents 'a devastated city'. Three signposts ahead of him point to 'faith', 'hope' and 'charity'. Context - The struggle to rebuild the city of Christchurch after the earthquake of 22 February 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The small crane on the back of a rubbish truck has picked up a whole portaloo and dumped its contents (a man with his pants around his ankles) into the rubbish. The driver tells the crane operator that he should have emptied 'the bin! ... Not the portaloo!'. A streetsign reads 'Avonside'. Refers to the use of portaloos in parts of Christchurch since the earthquake of 4th September because of damage to plumbing infrastructure. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).