December 2011 – Status Update

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:47:35 +1300

Although international student numbers have declined since the earthquakes, the recovery is well underway for the city’s educational institutions. Aftershocks in the city have eased off with only very occasional minor shakes.

Several language schools and private training institutions previously located in the city centre have found new locations and are back operating in safe and convenient buildings.

All tertiary providers are back to ‘business as usual’ with some temporary buildings being used where necessary due to earthquake damage to some facilities.

Schools around the city are, for the most part, operating as usual and wrapping up for a summer break. This lasts from mid-December until the end of January.

In the western part of the city, where there was very little significant damage, schools rolls are growing, including a good number of international students. Many schools are experiencing lower than usual international enrolments, however they continue to actively market their schools around the world and work with their long standing overseas partners to ensure that these enrolments recover over the coming year.

Term one in 2012 sees one of Christchurch’s more badly effected public schools, Avonside Girls High School, return to their original campus after spending most of 2011 sharing classrooms with Burnside High School on the west side of the City.

The heart of Christchurch has now been partially re-opened to the public. A new shopping area and the ability to visit Cathedral Square have assured Christchurch residents and visitors that the city’s recovery is progressing.

A special walkway has opened between City Mall and Cathedral Square, allowing residents to return to this iconic part of the city.

Vibrancy and optimism have returned to central Christchurch with the opening of a temporary shopping district. The shopping area saw about 20,000 visitors during its first weekend. Crowds of people gathered in City Mall to shop in the “Restart” precinct, which features 27 temporary shops housed in brightly painted shipping containers.

Local residents were excited to return to the city centre and have the opportunity to support local retailers in the lead up to the busy Christmas season.

The Canterbury Museum and Tourist Information Centre has reopened in the historic Arts Centre and Botanic Gardens district. http://www.canterburymuseum.com/

A new public swimming facility was recently opened in the northwest of the city this year and other large events such as public concerts, festivals and the World Buskers Festival are being held in an events village located in Hagley Park. http://www.eventsvillage.co.nz/

Popular tourist attraction the International Antarctic Centre, which has twice been judged ‘Best New Zealand Visitor Attraction', has been bought by Christchurch International Airport and continues to welcome visitors from around the world. http://www.iceberg.co.nz/

Christchurch will also get a 17,000-seat temporary sports and events stadium. The revamped Rugby League Park in Addington is likely to play host to an All Blacks match against Ireland in June, ending what would be a two-year period without test rugby in the city.

The stadium is expected to be announced as the new home of local Super 15 rugby team The Crusaders after their previous home, AMI Stadium, suffered serious damage in the February 22 earthquake.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said yesterday such a project would be "very ambitious" and he believed it was imperative to spend money on such facilities to stimulate the local economy.

"We were very disappointed that Canterbury missed out on the Rugby World Cup. It is our strong belief that having a sports stadium would be a good idea," he said

While 2011 was a challenging year for many students in Christchurch, life at the city’s educational institutions should fall back into normal patterns for 2012.

October 2011 – Status Update

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:26:21 +1200

Over six months have passed since Christchurch's February 22 earthquake and the repair work is underway.

However, parts of the central city still remain off limits, and in a few of the worst hit areas potholes still block the roads.

Small aftershocks are ongoing. Some recent ones measured up to magnitude-4.2.

Earthquake experts at GNS Science say quake-probability figures released recently show the chance of a magnitude-6 to 6.4 quake over the next year is now 10 per cent, down from 15 per cent in July's estimates.

Throughout Christchurch, damaged buildings are being demolished at a rapid pace by 78 demolition crews.

About 370 buildings have been demolished, but 530 wait to be either pulled down entirely, partly demolished or made safe.

About 8000 extra construction and engineering workers will be needed for the rebuild of the city over the next several years.

Large numbers of Christchurch residents and international students left the city immediately after the quake and while the majority of them have returned, some have moved to other areas.

Some schools in the city's most affected eastern suburbs have reported roll declines of about 20 per cent. Several schools that were temporarily operating out of other premises after the earthquake have been able to return to their original campuses, while a few will return when the new school year begins next February.

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December 2011 – Status Update

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