Thank you to the people of NZ!

[shrub]

Thank you. I have been blown away by how many people, many virtual strangers, have offered me a place to stay and by the way people want to support and help us. It makes it a hell of a lot easier to travel this crazy, scary road knowing we're not alone.

[Quasi]

we're such a small country, all affected in some way or the other, we all want to do what we can to help those who are suffering right now.
Thats the greatest thing about Kiwis - we will not let our fellow countrymen/woman struggle alone.
And even though you are in the midst of it - you still take the time to say thanks.
I know you will find sun in your times of darkness.

[Maha]

...and it wont stop there, its going to be a very long time before the people of Christchurch can breathe a sigh of releif, for some, that time may never come.
When will it all stop?...nobdy can say.
I would like to think I can continue to come up with different ideas of fund raising for the Canterbury people for a while yet.

[george formby]

we're such a small country, all affected in some way or the other, we all want to do what we can to help those who are suffering right now.
Thats the greatest thing about Kiwis - we will not let our fellow countrymen/woman struggle alone.
And even though you are in the midst of it - you still take the time to say thanks.
I know you will find sun in your times of darkness.

So true. Even up here this tragedy is touching me everyday through friends & customers, good news & bad. It's personal & everybody is thinking of ways to help, and not just financially.

[NighthawkNZ]

2 degrees of seperation in New Zealand can make the place a stronger community...

We will all pitch in where we can... :-)


Kia Kaha - be strong

[Fatt Max]

A very dear frind of mine from the UK was on a couple of days ago in a bit of a panic. He had lost touch with his sister-in-law who is on holiday in NZ and staying in a hotel in central christchurch.
After a long and agonising wait, we heard from her last night. She was evacuated to Wellington with only the clothes she stood up in, everything else lost in the quake.
A familiy in Wellington took her in, fed her, helped her to get a passport and flights sorted then stuck $1,000 in her hand and told her to buy clothes, luggage and anything else she needed for the trip home.
She flys out on Sunday.
Amazing, simply amazing. We live in a great country. Those of us who have chosen this as their home such as myslef are privaledged to be within a country of people that will do anything to help anyone out.
Yeah, thanks NZ, brilliant work xx

[BMWST?]

what i liked was in the tv coverage if the mooments immediately after the quake there were people panicing and running away/around,but there were already kiwis helping kiwis....
The uni army or whateva they calll thmenselves are an example that make me bloody proud to be a kiwi!

[AllanB]

.I would like to think I can continue to come up with different ideas of fund raising for the Canterbury people for a while yet.

Cheers for that. Problem is sitting here waiting for more rumbles I can't help but think if there is another 'decent' one then we'll all be being TAXED to cover the costs.

[shrub]

Cheers for that. Problem is sitting here waiting for more rumbles I can't help but think if there is another 'decent' one then we'll all be being TAXED to cover the costs.

Personally I don't care if we get taxed to cover the costs of restoration.

[george formby]

Cheers for that. Problem is sitting here waiting for more rumbles I can't help but think if there is another 'decent' one then we'll all be being TAXED to cover the costs.

That has been on my mind too. The nation is rallying to help now but the long term cost of losses, destroyed houses, uninsured liabilities etc etc will no doubt leave a lot of people & families on their knees financially.

A tax contribution, tourist levy, lotto ticket levy, a cent from every txt or a cent from every litre of petrol or diesel, who knows but something that will create a big enough fund to get people back on their feet & heading towards normality again.

[RiderInBlack]

Personally I don't care if we get taxed to cover the costs of restoration.Aye agree strongly there. We stand and fall as a Nation. This could have been a major Disaster anywhere in NZ and the support would be the same. We as a Country will help Christchurch as we can, because Christchurch would do the same for other places here. It is what you do for "Family". We are all "Family" here. The Uni Army (and all those that are helping down there) gives me renewed Great hope for this Country. As along as we have people here that understand in times of great need you need to be part of the solution and not the problem, We have a Country to be proud of.
Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui ( Be strong, be brave, be steadfast and sure):yes:
It is also warming to see that our "Cousies" in Aus and many other Nations have been so free with their help. This also gives me hope for the World.

[mashman]

We lost a couple of people at work, and although I didn't know them personally, I felt their loss through the reactions of those who did. It's such a sad thing to watch as it sinks in. Our colleagues were carers, R.I.P, and I can't imagine how their charges are feeling with such bad news.

It is a crime that it takes a disaster, such as this, to bring out the best in us.

Glad you're safe shub, long may it stay that way.

A message to all of you Cantabs from my birthplace: You'll Never Walk Alone.

[phill-k]

Aussie has had a number of levies and has some in place permanently, their healthcare levy I think it called, when they bought all semi-auto rifles was funded by a levy, and now their flood levy, a great idea links all their citizens to the cause, CHCH should be our first.
I have listened to many folks on National Radio talk about leaving for a time to get over the aftershocks, I do not begrudge these people who have generally be those up the food chain, but it does concern me that there are many don in CHCH who can not get away, for those people my heart goes out and I bow my head with sympathy you are truly trapped I just hope you know other NZers feel for you. ChCh biggest on going disaster will be the mental health of its citizens.

[Genestho]

Good to see you back Shrub! :)

I agree we should be levied.

I believe a levy would go not just on rebuilding Christchurch but, just as important - rebuilding the morale of the people of Christchurch.

It's a NZ 'problem', a levy signifys that as a nation we stand together - no matter how far removed from the situation or location we are, and further agree with you Phill-k, on the Mental Health situation.

The deepest wounds are the emotional scars nobody sees, and family and friends need to understand the effects could reverberate for some time.

Heart goes out to you Cantabs..

This will test our country, but I believe we are capable of rising to the challenges ahead.

[ynot slow]

Yep we go on about the one eyed cantab rugby supporters,but that determination and pigheadedness shone through last week.

Mind you in my mind Erebus was/is kiwilands worst disaster,albeit offshore,this disaster for sure is the nations worst(i.e here in kiwiland),and many who survived Napier' quake are gone,we will live with this quake and last years one for our lifespan.I recall my nana saying stuff about Napier' quake,but as I wasn't there it just wasn't the same as her thinking,now however I will understand how we all feel with Chch.

[Blackbird]

I must admit to more than a lump in the throat when I saw some of the moving things said on overseas bike forums and other places.

This from the UK Street Triple forum:
No one who has ever met, dealt with or read about Kiwis could ever doubt their toughness or resilience.
They are also great friends but tough adversaries.
I'd back them against anyone but this is a hard time and I wish them some luck.

This from the UK Daily Telegraph:
I have no doubt that the people of Christchurch will prove stronger than the bricks and mortar which the earthquake has destroyed but if ever there were a time for the British Government to make a grand gesture then it is now. The people of New Zealand stood with Britain in our darkest hours in 1914 and 1939 and we should have been the first to offer aid in response to this tragedy. There should be a plane load of rescue specialists with appropriate equipment already on its way, followed by a significant support effort to help rebuild.
If David Cameron actually had the balls to commit himself to helping our brothers now in a really significant way then I might even pledge to vote for him. I won’t be holding my breath but perhaps we could remind him that Sir Keith Park, who probably did more than any other individual to protect London from the aerial onslaught in World War II was a New Zealander. There is a debt of honour to be repaid here and it’s about time our government recognised it.

Pretty humbling, isn't it?

[shrub]

I must admit to more than a lump in the throat when I saw some of the moving things said on overseas bike forums and other places.

This from the UK Street Triple forum:
No one who has ever met, dealt with or read about Kiwis could ever doubt their toughness or resilience.
They are also great friends but tough adversaries.
I'd back them against anyone but this is a hard time and I wish them some luck.

This from the UK Daily Telegraph:
I have no doubt that the people of Christchurch will prove stronger than the bricks and mortar which the earthquake has destroyed but if ever there were a time for the British Government to make a grand gesture then it is now. The people of New Zealand stood with Britain in our darkest hours in 1914 and 1939 and we should have been the first to offer aid in response to this tragedy. There should be a plane load of rescue specialists with appropriate equipment already on its way, followed by a significant support effort to help rebuild.
If David Cameron actually had the balls to commit himself to helping our brothers now in a really significant way then I might even pledge to vote for him. I won’t be holding my breath but perhaps we could remind him that Sir Keith Park, who probably did more than any other individual to protect London from the aerial onslaught in World War II was a New Zealander. There is a debt of honour to be repaid here and it’s about time our government recognised it.

Pretty humbling, isn't it?

Shit yes. It feels good to read that, really good.

[Fatt Max]

Shit yes. It feels good to read that, really good.

+1 to that, and as an ex pat Pommie it was good to see some of the SAR guys making their way over woth 10 tonnes of gear. NZ is held in great regard all over the world, both our people and our country.

And at the heart of it all is the spirit of a nation to rise above whatever is thrown at them.

As someone said earlier, humbling....