The arms of a woman who represents New Zealand reach out to a baby to whom she has just given birth. The baby represents '2011' and is a particularly hideous specimen. The doctor who holds the baby says 'He's cute now but wait 'til he gets older!' Outside the window is seen a cracked and damaged landscape and a storm rages; the headstone of a grave reads 'RIP 2010'. Context - Christchurch or maybe the South Island have had a bad year because of the Pike River Mine disaster and the earthquake of 4 September 2010. There is perhaps prescience in this cartoon because on 22 February 2011 a much worse earthquake hit Christchurch. Published in The Press Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
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).
As a man and a woman walk along the man comments that 'for 2 minutes yesterday people were joined as one in a spirit of caring and thoughtful reflection...' The woman, speaking about their personal life, wonders why they only ever manage 2 minutes of that. Context - at 12.51 pm on Tuesday 1 March 2011 (exactly a week after the catastrophic Christchurch earthquake of 22 February) all of New Zealand stopped for two minutes of silent contemplation. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The word 'CANTERBURY' is printed in large letters on the cartoon in the region's colours of red and black stripes. The 'CAN' part of the name is in larger print and is above the rest of the word. Context is 22 February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch. The cartoon refers to reports of courage, generosity and 'can do' attitude of the people. Colour and black and white versions of this cartoon are available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows a flag which looks rather like that of both Australia and New Zealand but not exactly like either; the Union Jack is half out of the top left corner and there are just three of New Zealand's four red stars and three of Australia's white stars. The cartoonist's title is 'Aust NZ united in tragedy'. Context - The Queensland floods of December 2010 to January 2011. Colour and black and white versions available. Quantity: 2 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).
Cartoon showing Mayor Bob Parker as 'Spongebob Mayorpants'. Describes the mayor as often getting into deep water, soft and resilient and able to soak up criticism, bouncing back when under pressure. There has been concern and criticism about problems within the city council that effect thr rebuilding of Christchurch. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows two images of cars nose-down in ditches, the first is caused by 'liquifaction' and the second by 'stupifaction'. Context: there was another large aftershock on Boxing Day in Christchurch which resulted in quite a lot of liquefaction. There is always concern over the Christmas holidays about drinking while driving. Other Titles - Liquefaction Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A play on rhyming words 'whacked' for terrorist Osama bin Laden who has been killed in a Pakistan village, 'hacked' for 'Sony' after massive hack attacks on three separate gaming systems it runs, 's'ACT' with Rodney Hide who has been ousted as ACT leader by former National leader Don Brash, 'wracked' for Christchurch because of the earthquakes, 'blacked' to describe a $5 bottle of milk, 'smacked' for Glenfield, hit by a tornado, 'jacked' for petrol prices and 'quacked' for a duck in the duck-shooting season. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
A cartoon based on a combination of logos of the Southern Steel and Queensland Firebirds netballs teams. The teams played each other in March 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A ghoul appears beside the bed of a sleeping couple. The man says to his wife 'Relax dear... That bump in the night wasn't an aftershock!' Context: the suggestion is that in Christchurch people are more worried about aftershocks than ghosts. Refers to the Christchurch earthquakes. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows members of the 'Japan Seismic Institute studying an earthquake graph; one of them says 'Where was that Kiwi moonman when we wanted him?' Depicted also is thew 'moonman' Ken Ring as a wizard studying an astrological chart. Behind them all Japan is depicted as a devastated wasteland. Context - the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 4th March 2011 and the present threat of a nuclear catastrophe. Also the so-called Moon Man, astrologer Ken Ring, who predicted that Christchurch would be hit by a huge earthquake today (20 March 2011). His claims have terrified Cantabrians and led to people fleeing Christchurch. 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.
The cartoon is drawn as a game of 'Quakeopoly' in which earthquakes, aftershocks, assessment waits, stress etc. allow one to move from one square to the next but players are always forced backwards and can never win. Context - The Canterbury earthquakes of 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011 and the continuing aftershocks. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A woman walks along a ruined road passing a broken sewer leaking raw sewage; rats abound and a voice from a nearby medical centre asks 'Got anything for cholera, Delhi belly and dysentery?' A sign offering 'Flu shots now' stands outside the centre. Context - Christchurch post earthquake of 22 February 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows the Christchurch Cathedral surrounded by rubble and with its steeple gone. The bell lies on the ground and pieces of broken stone form the word 'tragedy'. Context - The Christchurch earthquake 22 February 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
An MC announces at the 'Awards' ceremony a special ward 'For a REAL leading role - Bob Parker!' Context -the Mayor of Christchurch has provided calm measured encouragement and support to the people of Christchurch in an exemplary way since the earthquake of 22 February 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Two people peer out from underneath a table waiting for an earthquake predicted by astrologer Ken Ring. One of them says 'Load of rubbish that Ken Ring prediction eh?' and the other agrees. Context - After the two big earthquakes in Christchurch on 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011, the so-called Moon Man, Ken Ring, is backing away from his prediction that Christchurch will be whacked by a huge earthquake on the 20th of March 2011. His claims terrified Cantabrians and led to people fleeing Christchurch. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A tall building sways and groans, creaks and rumbles during an earthquake. Someone from inside at the top of the building says 'Earthquake? No... This is an extreme adventure activity that you'll be billed for later!' Context - The earthquakes in Christchurch and the Canterbury region. The three major ones were on 4th September 2010, 22 February 2011 and 13 June 2011 and there have been hundreds of aftershocks. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Text at top left reads 'Daft things our forefathers did The cartoon shows several nineteenth century gentlemen observing 'volcanic cones', a 'swamp' and 'faultlines underneath' and deciding to build a city. Context - Specifically the Christchurch earthquakes of 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011 but generally the way many New Zealand cities are built on or near volcanoes, faultlines and swamps. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A truck carries a house to a new position and the family in the house wonder if they 'can stay on the truck permanently'. Context - Continuing housing problems in Christchurch following the earthquakes of 4 September 2010 and February 22 and June 13 2011. Many aftershocks are still happening and the ground is unstable in many places. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The cartoon shows an arm clothed in a blue shirt which is covered with the printed names of all the people and organisations who have provided assistance to the people of Christchurch since the earthquake of 22 February 2011. The include 'neighbours', 'charities', 'communities', 'church groups etc. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A man reads about the Christchurch earthquake in the newspaper and although he can count on two months of warm weather he feels bad, suffering from survivors' guilt. His wife tells him that it will be raining for most of the time over the next couple of months, which makes him feel better. Context - The Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011. Quantity: 1 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).
A passerby stops at an advertisement on the lawn outside a house which reads 'Sound commercial property - Christchurch $450,000' and comments to the owner that it 'seems a good buy'. The owner tells him that's 'the yearly rental'. Context - property and rental prices in Christchurch since the earthquakes of 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Cartoon shows a stone foundation that commemorates 'community spirit' after the Christchurch earthquake of February 22 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A couple sits in a Travel Agency discussing places to go for a holiday. The travel agent says 'Worried about holidaying in New Zealand - well how about...' and she turns to the display of countries to visit on the wall behind her. Each of the countries is illustrated with a very negative image; e.g. 'Japan' with a nuclear symbol, 'Thailand' with a pile of human ashes, 'Sth Africa' with two arms raised in desperate supplication... Context - The couple do not want to visit New Zealand because of the Canterbury earthquakes and there seem to be an awful lot of natural disasters or wars or high expense etc. recently. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Text reads 'ROCK STAR' and below is an image of a large rock named 'Rocky'. Context - When a 25-tonne boulder crashed through the garage roof of Phil Johnson's home and left it in ruins during the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February he sold it at an online auction for NZ$60,500 (#27,652). Mr Johnson dubbed it "Rocky". The money will be used to help quake victims. Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Two men working on the cleanup after the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 stop for a chat. One says 'Did I tell you my family was on the first ship!' and the other replies 'Blow that! - I got mine out on the first plane!' Context - the 22 February earthquake in Christchurch. The first man is talking about his ancestors coming to New Zealand in the 1940s and the second man is talking about sending his family out of Christchurch after the earthquake. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
Text across the top of the cartoon reads 'You know you live in Christchurch when...' Six cameos follow reading 'You can stir a cup of coffee without a spoon' - a cup of coffee is shaken; 'after 30 years you finally know your neighbours' - a group of people get to know one another; 'the latest fitness craze is sandba' - a couple shovel a heap of liquefaction to music from their transistor; 'everyone gets to drive a slalom' - someone weaves along a road avoiding cracks and mud in their car; 'there's a craze in "unique garden features"' - a longdrop has been dug in the garden; and lastly 'you have tea under a doorframe' - a couple eats and drinks under a doorframe for safety. Context - the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011. Published in The Press Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).