New Zealand: Long White Cloud

We went to New Zealand to study recovery after the 2012 earthquake and stayed with Scharlie’s cousin John and his wife Mollie in Christchurch. Because of its remoteness, New Zealand was one of the last places to be settled by humans, who arrived only 7-800 years ago from Polynesia and founded a strong and highly influential Maori culture.

The disaster survey work

In Christchurch and Rangiora, we interviewed key people involved in planning the reconstruction and also surveyed the damage in the centre and the badly affected suburbs. The recovery was exceptional for various reasons. Residents and businesses were compensated by the government; large areas of the city centre were abandoned and citizens were actively involved in planning the recovery.

Trekking

After a week’s work, we went off trekking, first on the Bealey Spur near Arthur’s Pass, north west of Christchurch and then along the Abel Tasman trail on the north coast of the South Island, where we hiked and canoed. It was stunningly beautiful, and we had it almost to ourselves.

Wellington

Finally, we crossed the Cook Strait to Wellington to meet people in GNS Science and visit a small piece of original bush preserved in the heart of the city.

Published 2 Sep  2017, 56 pages, ISBN 9780995768062