The Civil Defense understanding of the role of radio in disaster tends to focus on its value in providing essential information during and after the event. However this role is compromised when a station’s premises are destroyed, or rendered inaccessible by official cordons. The Radio Quake study examines how radio stations in Christchurch managed to resume broadcasting in the aftermath of the earthquake of February 22, 2011. In New Zealand’s heavily networked and commercialised radio environment there is a significant disparity between networked and independent stations’ broadcast commitments and resourcing. All Christchurch radio broadcasters were forced to improvise new locations, complex technical workarounds, and responsive styles of broadcasting after the February 22 earthquake, but the need to restore, or maintain, a full on air presence after the earthquake, rested entirely on often financially tenuous, locally owned and staffed independent radio: student, Iwi, community access, and local commercial stations. This paper will explore the resourcefulness and resilience of broadcasters riding out the aftershocks in hotels, motels, bedrooms, and a horse truck, using digital technologies in new ways to reimagine the practice of radio in Christchurch.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The old Sydenham Methodist Church corner Colombo and Brougham Streets".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Wildflowers on the site of a demolished building in Sydenham".
A road cone of top of a lamp post on Kilmore Street.
Felled trees near the Park Terrace bridge in Hagley Park. A lamp post in the centre of the photo is on a noticeable lean.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the former Post Office building in Lyttelton.
A photograph of the two windows of the former Post Office building in Lyttelton.
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Pleasant Point Yacht Club post-earthquake damage".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Cob cottage at Mount Pleasant, post earthquake".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Cob cottage at Mount Pleasant, post earthquake".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Cob cottage at Mount Pleasant, post earthquake".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Cob cottage at Mount Pleasant, post earthquake".
Woolly hats and a scarf on the fence posts of Grubb Cottage on London Street.
Building Record Form for the former Post Office, 7 Norwich Quay, Lyttelton
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Avonside and Retreat Roads post earthquake".
A photograph showing a fenced-off Cotter & Co. building with posts supporting the awning.
A photograph of the coat of arms on the Hereford Street Post Office building.
A photograph showing a fenced-off Cotter & Co. building with posts supporting the awning.
An article that explains the innovative work of SCIRT in a post-disaster environment.
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Major Hornbrook Road, Mount Pleasant. Post February earthquake".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Major Hornbrook Road, Mount Pleasant. Post February earthquake".
A house rocks in the night but the occupants are reassured that it is not 'another quake', only an aftershock, which although it causes the walls to crumble is nothing to worry about. Refers to the Canterbury earthquake of 4th September and the dozens of aftershocks that cause continuing tension and anxiety. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Some children in Christchurch still have quite serious post-earthquake anxiety issues - we hear what to look for and why professional help might be a good idea.
Christchurch residents are pouring cold water on the Earthquake Recovery Minister's efforts to celebrate post-quake recovery in the city.
A photograph of a lamp post on the Mandeville Bridge in Kaiapoi. The lamp post has an intricate metal sign attached to it, which includes the name of the bridge.
A presentation by Dr David Conradson at UC CEISMIC's Contestable Fund mini-conference. The presentation was titled, "Stories of Movement: experiences of disruption and adjustment in a post-quake city".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Heathcote. Castle Rock, post 22 February 2011 earthquake".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Heathcote. Castle Rock, post 22 February 2011 earthquake".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Heathcote. Castle Rock, post 22 February 2011 earthquake".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Heathcote. Castle Rock, post 22 February 2011 earthquake".