Critical Media Group - Ideas that make you think

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Remembering Christchurch


Let's work hard to rebuild this city. 

I am but a tourist in Christchurch for a day and I fell in love with it. Gut wrenching events happened to this city over and over again in the last few months. Its people are saddened, frustrated, disillusioned. Many Christchurch residents are leaving NZ, permanently.  Many are still fighting to keep it alive.

I do think there is hope. I believe Christchurch it can regain is vibrance. It will take a lot of time. It will take a lot of serious attention from the government. It requires a change of thinking.

Christchurch New Zealand

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Christchurch Gardens




Christchurch is recognized worldwide for its stunning rose and flower gardens.


Christchurch New Zealand

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Mt Cook



At the foot of Mt Cook
Majestic snow-capped mountain
One of Canterbury's top tourist destinations

A wealth of experience with nature

Christchurch, NZ

Monday, March 28, 2011

Resilience Felt in Christchurch



Any disaster tests a people's resilience.
Christchurch city aims to be the most #earthquake safe city in the world. Click for source of News.

Last week, I visited Christchurch on my to the airport. Yes the reports are right. There is an eerie feeling.  A feeling of sadness.

I remember Christchurch as one of the most beautiful cities I have visited in the world.

On this cloudy and rainy day, I sense people's distraught, people's pain.

I do hope Christchurch will be rebuilt very soon most of all, for the sake of its people.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Rebuilding Christchurch

Talk of at least $15 B needed to rebuild Christchurch, people leaving and businesses struggling --- these are the recent news about the consequences of the fatal Feb 22, 2011 earthquake.

These days, there are hundreds of charities and even private companies which help in raising funds to donate to the victims of the earthquake.

The hope is that the NZ government officials will be able to create a great long term strategy to enable Christchurch to have a stronger foundation (pun intended) even if it takes more than 10 years to rebuild.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Before and After Christchurch Earthquake

Sharing photos of total devastation. Prayers to all affected. Keep New Zealand strong.


Source, NZ Herald. Click here.

Donations to Christchurch

Canterbury Earthquake Appeal

The Salvation Army has relaunched its Canterbury Earthquake Appeal in expectation of great humanitarian need in the aftermath of today's 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

Your donation will strengthen our response to help those in need. Thank you for your support.

Please specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal

http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz

Christchurch Earthquake Information


Christchurch Earthquake Information

Local Emergency Phone Number:111

Christchurch People, What to Expect, Do


  • Expect aftershocks.  Each time one is felt, drop, cover, and hold on.
  • Check yourself first for injuries and get first aid if necessary before helping injured or trapped persons.
  • Assess your home or workplace for damage.  If the building appears unsafe get everyone out.  Use the stairs, not an elevator and when outside, watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines.  Stay out of damaged areas.
  • Look for and extinguish small fires if safe to do so.  Fire is a significant hazard following earthquakes.
  • Listen to the radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
  • Do not overload the phone lines with non-emergency calls.
  • Help people who require special assistance – infants, elderly people, those without transportation, large families who may need additional help, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Hagley Park Christchurch, Evacuation Centres, Christchurch

Hagley park, Christchurch has been converted into a temporary evacuation centre wherein an estimated 2000 people are currently staying the night. It is now closed for additional evacuees. For Earthquake help, please call 0800 779 997.

Other facilities converted into evacuation centres are:


  • Burnside School,
  • Papanui High School,
  • Lyttelton Recreation Centre,
  • Brooklands Community Centre,
  • Akaroa Senior School is open.

Live Footage, Christchurch Earthquake

Click here for a live footage of the destruction today Feb 22, 2011. Christchruch New Zealand.

Christchurch Airport - closed

Due to the recent quake, the Christchurch airport is only open for emergency flights. Domestic flights will resume 8am tomorrow, Feb 23, 2011. International flights are suspended until noon time tomorrow according to radio news - but decision will be finalized still.

Please listen to tv3 and one news for more updates.

Or visit NZ herald for more information about the recent, devastating earthquake.

Christchurch Earthquake

Help line 0800 779 997

Sad news for New Zealand. A lot of damage and lives lost in it's beautiful garden city. Another massive earthquake has hit the city just 5 months after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in September.
Multiple aftershocks are recorded at magnitude 5. 65 people have died.
Australia has expressed support and provided assistance. Hospitals are open for emergencies and we're requesting everyone to save unnecessary phone calls so that people in emergency situations can call through.



Health officials advise people to boil their drinking water.
The whole city is being evacuated.

The earthquake happened middle of the day when people are at work... a lot of people have been trapped in their buildings. Cars have been swayed side to side and people were screaming.

More news will follow.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Christchurch Airport

The Christchurch airport is open 24/7. The lobby area is available for passengers to use from 10pm to 3:30am - some people trying to save money or those with early morning flights use the lobby area of the airport. They either sleep on the empty chairs and corners, have an early coffee of watch news. There is a free 30 minute internet access in the airport. The 30 minute access renews and you can use it again after 4 hours. You just need to bring your own laptop. Otherwise, you can use the computer kiosks, you would have to pay $1 to $2 to use it.

The departure section is a bit old and the 2nd floor cafe is strikingly out of date. It's usable though. There are a bit of cafes you can try on the 2nd floor. The food is nothing special, it's reasonably priced though.

The arrival area is much more impressive.

Renovations are being done to improve the whole airport.

The closest suburb to the Christchurch airport is Riccarton... not all hotels are decent so make sure you read online reviews before committing to a place.

For more information about Christchurch Airport, visit their website. http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz


Saturday, February 19, 2011

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Monday, February 14, 2011

Migrating to Australia

Many Kiwis migrate to Australia for greener pastures it seems. There's only one company I'd recommend when looking for jobs in Sydney - Elisjones & Associates - it's a boutique agency. It offers employment advise to job seekers and tips on how to boost their confidence. It also provides employment services to employers.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Christchruch Tourist Experience

Christchurch is full of really nice tree-lined suburbs located around the city center. The Cathedral square, botanical gardens would be the center of the cultural and historical experience.

The issue with Christchurch is the lack of parking space for tourists who have their own vehicles. Since it's a fairly large city for NZ standard, it's hard to always have to walk around the places you want to go. There are some free transport facilities I noticed though.

Most of Christchurch pubs, motels, cafes do not have free wifi or internet access. It's actually a shame that these establishments do not provide wifi as a free facility considering that we now all live in a global world where we would like to be connected in real time.

There is so much reluctance business owners have with providing wifi. It's actually just a $100 setup and $100 monthly expense for an unlimited vodafone or telecom access. Perhaps even telecom and vodafone themselves are preventing business owners to stop using their services - I do not know.

Christchurch is not the only NZ city that is like this. Wellington, Auckland and Queenstown do not have free wifi facilities.

Some motels in Riccarton, Christchurch say they offer free internet. But beware, if you really need internet, before you book, be sure:
1. Check how fast it is. Even if you are a small user, most of these hotels won't even let you check your email! That's how slow the connection is.
2. If they say they offer complementary wifi - check how long - it might be 15 minutes...
3. Some say they are wifi-enabled but you actually have to pay!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Cathedral Square Christchurch

I love Christchurch's Cathedral Square. It's full of culture, great architecture, breathtaking gardens and food and shopping!


A quick tour around the Cathedral Square shows every tourist the essence of Christchurch. Families gather around for park events, old people enjoying a leisurely walk in the beautiful Christchruch botanical gardens, moms enjoying shopping and handmade fudge and cookies!

Christchurch is known as New Zealand's gateway to the South Island.

It's a small preview on what lies ahead - New Zealand is definitely the best tourist destination in the world.

Click here for more of NZ's beautiful towns and cities.
NZ Property Guide 
Taranaki NZ 
Wellington City 
Auckland New Zealand 
Dunedin NZ 
Christchurch NZ 
Hawkes Bay NZ 
Gisborne NZ 
Tauranga NZ 
Waikato NZ 
Wanganui City 
Queenstown NZ 

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Amazing Christchurch Botanical Gardens


This is just one section of the Christchurch Botanical Gardens.
I wasn't sure I would visit this location but I was completely impressed with the manicured gardens, outstanding display of roses, park events and beautiful colors of various plants, trees and flowers.

I am thankful the gardens weren't damaged by the recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake. 

I am a flower fanatic, a garden lover or an avid yet amateur photographer --- I highly recommend anyone to visit these magnificent gardens.