
The earthquake swarm that has struck Canterbury, New Zealand from September 2010 has led to widespread destruction and loss of life in the city of Christchurch. In response to this the New Zealand government convened a Royal Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908. The terms of reference for this enquiry were wide ranging, and included inquiry into legal and best-practice requirements for earthquake-prone buildings and associated risk management strategies. The Commission produced a final report on earthquake-prone buildings and recommendations which was made public on the 7th December 2012. Also on the 7th of December 2012 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) released a Consultation Document that includes many of the recommendations put forward by the Royal Commission. This paper examines the evidence presented to the Royal Commission and reviews their recommendations and those of MBIE in relation to the management of earthquake-prone buildings. An analysis of the likely impacts of the recommendations and proposals on both the property market and society in general is also undertaken.
The Canterbury earthquakes that happened in 2010 and 2011 have attracted many migrant workers to the region to assist with the rebuilding effort. However, research on the impact of influx of migrants on the labour market outcomes of a local industry post-disaster is limited internationally and locally. The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on the changes in demographic composition and occupational structure for the local and foreign workers in the Greater Christchurch construction industry. Replicating the discrete dependent variable regression methods used in the study by Sisk and Bankston III (2014), this study also aimed to compare their findings on the impact of the influx of migrants on the New Orleans construction industry with outcomes in Greater Christchurch. Customised data from New Zealand Censuses 2006 and 2013 were used to represent the pre- and post-earthquake periods. This study found that the rebuild has provided opportunities for migrant workers to enter the Greater Christchurch construction industry. The increased presence of migrant construction workers did not displace the locals. In fact, the likelihoods for both locals’ and migrants’ participation in the industry improved post-earthquakes. The earthquakes also increased overall workers’ participation at the lowest end of the occupational structure. However, the earthquakes created few significant changes to the distribution of local and migrant workers at the various occupational levels in the industry. Local workers still dominated all occupational levels post-earthquakes. The aggregated education levels of the construction workers were higher post-earthquakes, particularly among the migrant workers. Overall, migrant workers in the Greater Christchurch construction industry were more diverse, more educated and participated in higher occupational levels than migrants assisting in the New Orleans rebuild, due possibly to differences in immigration policies between New Zealand and the United States of America.
A photograph of people at the Pavilions & Lighting Devices market at LUXCITY, taken from inside one of the temporary installations. A large-scale hanging sculpture Altitude can be seen illuminated in the distance.
More than 18 months since the Canterbury earthquakes the rental property shortage continues to worsen, and there are predictions it won't be easing anytime soon.
News from the business sector focusing on the impact of the Christchurch earthquake, the bulletin includes a market report.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch earthquake. Dallington Discount Market on the corner of Gloucester and Woodham Streets being demolished".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch earthquake. Dallington Discount Market on the corner of Gloucester and Woodham Streets being demolished".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch earthquake. Dallington Discount Market on the corner of Gloucester and Woodham Streets being demolished".
Site set up to market Christchurch businesses after the Christchurch earthquake. Directory entries of Christchurch businesses arranged by business type.
The earthquake has also affected financial markets. The New Zealand dollar has tumbled, and the stockmarket has extended its losses.
A document containing the research questions asked by Opinions Market Research Ltd when carrying out telephone surveys about SCIRT work.
A group of young English women at the Lyttelton Saturday flea market offering free hugs to anybody who needed one.
A photograph of people walking past the Pavilions & Lighting Devices market at LUXCITY, situated on the corner of Manchester Street and Gloucester Street. A large-scale hanging sculpture titled Altitude can be seen illuminated in the distance.
A photograph of people walking past the LUXCITY Pavilions & Lighting Devices market, situated on the corner of Manchester Street and Gloucester Street. A large-scale hanging sculpture Altitude can be seen illuminated in the distance.
A document containing the research questions asked by Opinions Market Research Ltd when carrying out face-to-face surveys about SCIRT work.
A photograph of organisers of LUXCITY on the corner of Manchester Street and Gloucester Street. A site hazards board is leaning against a white van, in front of students in high-visibility vests who are setting up the Pavilions & Lighting Devices market.
Farmers in North Canterbury say the earthquake is another blow to a region which has battled drought and volatile lamb and dairy markets
Two years on from the February earthquake, tourism is in Christchurch is recovering - slowly.
A sign attached to the safety fence surrounding the damaged Dallington Discount Market reading, "Top Stitch. Yes we are open. Boutique fashion and alterations".
A PDF copy of a media release by All Right? titled "Growing concern for the wellbeing of those with unsettled EQC and Insurance Claims". The media release details research conducted by Opinions Market Research for All Right?, and includes quotes from All Right? Campaign Manager Sue Turner and Dr Lucy D'Aeth (All Right?).
Will be opening asap when suitable site located. Mail orders still taken. and farmers markets a possibility. But later demolished along with the adjacent building.
Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee says its taking too long to consent new sub divisions in Christchurch. The sharemarket and dollar fall following turmoil on world markets.
A stall at the Pallet Pavillion's vintage market. The stall owner has used the gaps between the pallets as shelving for the shoes she is selling.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Paul and Ange Leonard who own the City Seafood Market in Manchester Street are suffering a downturn in business after the earthquake".
A photograph of a vacant site on the corner of Gloucester Street and Manchester Street. The site is to be the location of Pavilions & Lighting Devices, an installation which is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of a vacant site on the corner of Gloucester Street and Manchester Street. The site is to be the location of Pavilions & Lighting Devices, an installation which is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of a vacant site on the corner of Gloucester Street and Manchester Street. The site is to be the location of Pavilions & Lighting Devices, an installation which is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of a band set beneath a temporary installation. The installation is part of Pavilions & Lighting Devices at LUXCITY.
We estimate the causal effects of a large unanticipated natural disaster on high schoolers’ university enrolment decisions and subsequent medium-term labour market outcomes. Using national administrative data after a destructive earthquake in New Zealand, we estimate that the disaster raises tertiary education enrolment of recent high school graduates by 6.1 percentage points. The effects are most pronounced for males, students who are academically weak relative to their peers, and students from schools directly damaged by the disaster. As relatively low ability males are overrepresented in sectors of the labour market helped by the earthquake, greater demand for university may stem from permanent changes in deeper behavioural parameters such as risk aversion or time preference, rather than as a coping response to poor economic opportunities.
A PDF copy of a media release by All Right? titled "Wellbeing research paints complex picture". The media release features CDHB Public Health Specialist Lucy D'Aeth discussing research commissioned by All Right? and conducted by Opinions Market Research. The media release also includes a link a PDF of the research summary. The media release is dated 15 April 2013.