Surrounded by mud and puddles in Christchurch Prime Minister John Key puts his arm round co-leader of the Maori Party Pita Sharples and smiles happily; behind them is a brand new plastic portaloo. On the ground lies a newspaper with a headline that reads 'Govt. to fund $2m giant RWC plastic waka'. Pita Sharples says 'and to show we're not neglecting our priorities in these austere times, Christchurch will get a new plastic portaloo!' Context - The government has hit back at criticism over a $2 million venue centre in the shape of a waka for the Rugby World Cup (RWC), defending the cost as necessary to host a world-class event. Co-leader of the Maori Party Pita Sharples says the waka will promote Maori culture during the Rugby World Cup and at other events (like the America's Cup). Labour Party MP Shane Jones asks "How can Dr Sharples and Prime Minister John Key actually believe that this expensive indulgence is a positive advertisement for Maori? The truth is they don't but they're both working together in a desperate effort to keep the Maori Party afloat. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A view down Cashel Street from the Bridge of Remembrance, showing earthquake damage to several buildings along Cashel Mall. In the background the Hotel Grand Chancellor can be seen, a Christchurch hotel that was badly damaged in the February 2011 earthquake. The collapse of a key supporting shear wall caused the building to visibly lean to one side.
University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor Rod Carr addressing students inside the UCSA's "Big Top" tent. The tent was erected in the UCSA car park to provide support for students in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The students have spent the day clearing liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.
A photograph of a residential property in the Christchurch central city with USAR codes spray-painted on the driveway and "No go" spray-painted on the front window and door. A red sticker in the window indicates that the building is unsafe to enter. Cordon tape has been draped around the side, cordoning off a pile of bricks.
A photograph of members of the Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team in the hanger of a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules. The ERT members are travelling to Christchurch to help out in the emergency response to the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Blankets, tent poles, and other supplies have been stacked in the centre of the hanger.
University of Canterbury students watching a local musician perform inside the UCSA's "Big Top" tent. The tent was erected in the UCSA car park to provide support for students in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The students have spent the day clearing liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.
A pothole in a road surface, showing tyre marks where a vehicle has driven through the hole. The photographer comments, "After the earthquake in Christchurch in February 2011 burst underground pipes and liquefaction caused unseen hollows under the road surfaces. Occasionally after all the rest have been exposed by traffic someone would find 'discover' a new one".
Workers inspect a broken sewerage line in New Brighton. The photographer comments, "After the Christchurch earthquake on 23 December 2011 the sewer pipe got badly damaged at New Brighton and was leaking into the Avon River. I think the guy was worried about the fast flow causing him to fill his boots rather than the depth".
A photograph of a large trench at the entrance to a street in Christchurch. There is water and liquefaction in the trench. Road cones have been placed around it as a warning. In the background, two personnel from the New Zealand Army are guarding the entrance to the street. They are wearing their army uniforms and high-visibility vests.
A photograph of members of Massey University's Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) working in the central city red zone after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. VERT travelled to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake in order to assist with caring for animals. Each member is wearing a hard hat, face masks, and a head lamp.
A video of Dallington resident Christine Mathieson being told that her orange-zoned property has been rezoned as green. The rezoning was confirmed earlier in the day by Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, who announced that 400 earthquake-damaged properties in Christchurch will be bought by the government. Mathieson's house is not one of them.
University of Canterbury students watching a local musician perform inside the UCSA's "Big Top" tent. The tent was erected in the UCSA car park to provide support for students in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The students have spent the day clearing liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.
An aerial photograph of the Christchurch central city near Cashel and High Streets. The photograph has been captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The dense collection of buildings surrounding the Hotel Grand Chancellor with the two cranes being used for the demolition. What little of the street is visible running horizontally across the photograph is Hereford Street".
A paper submitted by Andrew Moore in partial fulfilment of the degree of Bachelor of Music with Honours, covering the effects of the Canterbury earthquakes on the musical life of Christchurch. Dissertation supervised by Dr Elaine Dobson, University of Canterbury School of Music. All photographs from The Press are copyright Fairfax Media and are used with permission.
An aerial photograph of the Christchurch central city. The photograph has been captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "High Street runs across this photograph in the top third from the old Majestic Theatre at the intersection of Manchester and Lichfield Streets to the intersection of Madras and St Asaph Street which is just beyond the edge of the photo".
University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor Rod Carr addressing students inside the UCSA's "Big Top" tent. The tent was erected in the UCSA car park to provide support for students in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The students have spent the day clearing liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.
One landscape colour digital photograph taken on 18 March 2011 showing the crowd gathered in Hagley Park for the National Memorial Service. On 18 March 2011, the National Christchurch Memorial Service was held as an official remembrance to those who lost their lives during the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on 22 February 2011. As well as being atten...
One landscape colour digital photograph taken on 1 March 2011 showing the road between Franklin and Queenstown with an electronic road work sign depicting the words '12.51pm 2 minutes silence'. People all around New Zealand participated in gestures of support for Christchurch following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on 22 February 2011. In Queens...
The cartoon shows Christchurch mayor Bob Parker and his wife in bed. Bob Parker's wife says 'Bob darling, the chances of a news crew bursting in here at this time of night are virtually nil, so please take that bloody jacket off...' Context - Bob Parker, it is true, seems to be wearing the same trendy orange and black 'site manager's jacket for the very many photo opportunities afforded post earthquake of 22 February 2011. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Search and Rescue Team with an Australian Police Officer outside the US Aid tent in Latimer Square. After the 22 February 2011 earthquake, emergency service agencies set up their headquarters in Latimer Square.
The former Lyttelton Fire Station on the corner of Sumner Road and Oxford Street. Broken stonework from the top of the building lies on the footpath where it fell. Members of the New Zealand Fire Service are evaluating the building.
The west side of the British Hotel on Oxford Street. The brick wall at the top of the building has crumbled onto the street below, bringing part of the roof down with it. Wire fencing has been used to create a cordon around the building.
Damage to the Lyttelton Hotel on Norwich Quay. The top of the building has crumbled, bringing the roof down with it. Bricks have fallen on the awning and all along the footpath. Wire fencing and road cones have been used to create a cordon around the building.
The former Lyttelton Fire Station on the corner of Sumner Road and Oxford Street. Broken stonework from the top of the building lies on the footpath where it fell. Members of the New Zealand Fire Service are evaluating the building.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Search and Rescue Team gear tied to a fence in Latimer Square. After the 22 February 2011 earthquake, emergency service agencies set up their headquarters in Latimer Square.
The number of speed camera tickets being issued skyrockets, police say it's about road safety, the AA's not so sure. Crisis talks in Europe over the Greek debt crisis... and its impact on the Eurozone and there were angry scenes at a Christchurch meeting last night as residents tried to stop a dump for earthquake debris being built in their suburb.
After the devastating effects on Christchurch, we are all aware of the damage earthquakes can cause. But in New Zealand, a tsunami could be just as damaging. University of Auckland engineers Asaad Shamseldin and PhD student Reza Shafiei are creating waves in the lab to work out how safe our buildings are, if a tsunami hits. Ruth Beran goes to visit them.
Damage to the Fuze Restaurant and Cafe on the corner of Oxford Street and Norwich Quay. The facade around the top of the building has crumbled into the street below. Wire fencing has been used to create a cordon around the building.
Damage to the former Lyttelton Public Library on the corner of Oxford Street and Sumner Road. The facade along the top of the building has crumbled into the street. Tape and road cones have been used to create a cordon around the building.
Damage to Englefield Lodge on Fitzgerald Avenue. A pile of bricks lies in front of the house, windows are boarded up, and wooden bracing is propping up the walls. A spray-painted message on a wall reads "We will try to save this house." The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Englefield, Christchurch's oldest house, in Fitzgerald Ave".