Motueka people feel the pain of Christchurch earthquake victims

February 23rd, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

The second major Christchurch earthquake has saddened and shocked people around the country and around the world, and many people living in and around Motueka will have extra reason to feel the pain, with loved ones and old memories affected by the destruction, the loss of lives, and fear for the future of that city.

A significant proportion of our own population - particularly our middle-aged folk - have moved to live here from Christchurch, and seeing TV footage of buildings we knew so well and even worked in or shopped at evokes a sense of real personal loss, even from this distance.

Until last September's quake, and even to a degree since then, we immigrants from Christchurch (I'm one of them) would joke about moving here because of the better weather here, the better lifestyle, the better physical environment.

But when push comes to shove - as it certainly has now - most of us still have strong emotional attachments at several levels to Christchurch. We're probably all glad we made the move (and feel perhaps a bit of "survivor's guilt" that we made it before the quakes began), but we still have roots back there.

With Christchurch being the largest South Island city and a destination for many of our young folk stepping out into the world, most people in Motueka know and are related to Christchurch residents. And many of us spent our earlier years (in my case, the previous 40 years) working and playing in Christchurch.

We know people who may have been badly affected (heaven forbid, some of us may know people who we will learn have died) and worry for their personal and family future. We know places that we lived, worked, played and shopped that will soon no longer exist. They are, subtly, parts of our personal past, our turangawaewae. Their loss is to be grieved.

Motuekans live in a part of New Zealand blessed by many natural, environmental assets and an above-average community spirit. Many chose to live here in preference to residing in a big city, and events like these make us glad we did so. But we also recognise that our blessings are to be shared with others who have lost loved ones and loved places, and are now wondering what their future may hold.

If you have any ideas about how we Motuekans can help Christchurch people, please click on the link below and let us know.

The following is a subsequent (modified) press release from Nelson City and Tasman District Councils:
[Posted 24 February 2011]

With the close links between Christchurch and Nelson, the people of Nelson and Tasman are desperate to help those affected by Tuesday’s tragedy. A group including the Nelson City and Tasman District Councils, Mediaworks Nelson and various local organisations is offering homes, holiday homes and rooms to Christchurch people who need to get away.

Nelson City Mayor Aldo Miccio, Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne and Mediaworks Nelson General Manager Christine Hatton are asking for Nelson people to offer short term accommodation for Christchurch people – and the response has been overwhelming. From offers of mattresses on floors to family homes, from sleepouts to beachside holiday cottages, the calls have been flooding in for several hours.

Co-ordinator Tim Rogers says “Right now’s the time to take the pressure off yourself, come to Nelson while things settle down."

Christchurch people with the need to take a short break in Nelson are asked to call . The Nelson Tasman region is looking forward to helping the people of Christchurch and Canterbury in this very small way.

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