Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Again: Is everyone okay?

897 Responses

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  • Ross Mason, in reply to Christopher Dempsey,

    And it scares the living shit out of me too. Apologies for not saying things politely as some obviously think I could. I'm not made that way obviously as I can't write poetry. But I still care. Deeply and with feeling. This will be offically a National Disaster in a couple of hours. We know we are all preparing for a substantial number of deaths. If having the number slowly increase satisfies people then let it be.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    I heard a report that the secondary schools were almost empty (saving more injuries from falling ceilings, flying computers etc) because the teachers were going to a paid union meeting. Anyone know any more about this?

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Jacqui Dunn, in reply to Isabel Hitchings,

    We’re all OK

    I'm glad. And glad too to hear that David's family is OK. Woke up this morning and thought how lucky I was to be waking up in a comfortable bed after a good night's sleep - unlike some of those poor souls waiting, possibly injured, definitely frightened and shocked, for rescue.

    Deepest, darkest Avondale… • Since Jul 2010 • 585 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Wegan, in reply to Isabel Hitchings,

    We are so lucky to be together and unharned but this morning I am suffering from the (shivery and spewy) effects of delayed shock.

    It's great to hear from you Is. We are sending love. Xx

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Dowden, in reply to JoJo,

    I was also thinking the same. My family are in Wellington and Dunedin and are fine and I've heard from most friends Christchurch - fingers crossed. I still want to help if possible, so if anyone is stuck here and can't get back to CHC I have spare rooms in Canberra...

    Canberra • Since Dec 2007 • 38 posts Report Reply

  • Lisa Black,

    Any word from Ian Dalziel & family, or Phillip Matthews?

    Wellington • Since Jul 2010 • 71 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    I heard a report that the secondary schools were almost empty (saving more injuries from falling ceilings, flying computers etc) because the teachers were going to a paid union meeting. Anyone know any more about this?

    I definitely saw a news article quoting a teacher saying that there had only been 40 kids at one school because of a union meeting. Can't tell you which school it was, or primary v. secondary, though.

    (Also, Craig - Ross said that last thing you replied to, not me. I'm on your side! Don't shoot!)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Philip hasn't checked in on Twitter yet. Don't know about Ian.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Sacha,

    We could all chip in and organise out-of-town respite for our PA friends from Chch, when they’re each ready for a break from it. Perhaps Russell or someone can coordinate?

    Yes. That works. We may well want to get David up for the TV show anyway. I'll talk to some people.

    I'm also concerned for the welfare of Blair Parkes -- who was to have been providing the music for the Orcon Great Blend events -- and his family. They live in Brighton, which was hit hard.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    Sorry for the text, as Craig has said feel free to scroll past, this is just me getting feelings out and I hope you’ll forgive me for doing that here.
    By chance I was home yesterday, safely in Mt Roskill. I watched a replay of the Breakers beating the Blaze in double overtime. My wife had texted that there had been another earthquake in Christchurch, but really with 4000 earthquakes since September 4th it hardly seemed something to rush over and it was a good game of basketball. So it was about 3pm when I turned the TV to the news.
    So yes it was a big earthquake but even then it was difficult to tell how bad. So many times have I heard reporters talk breathlessly about buildings devastated that I now find it difficult to know when a real disaster has occurred. Is that me being jaded or that the words have been leeched of their power. But this was real.
    But by 3:30 I knew how real. I don’t really know many people in Christchurch, some work colleagues, but it was the posters from PA that I wanted/needed to know were OK. I’ve met Emma and David only once in real life but I wanted very much to know they were OK. The first place I looked was Twitter and there were the messages, Russell letting everyone know David and his family were safe, Emma being scared but alive and then later that her family was safe and well. The next place to look was this thread, which I just assumed Russell would have started, thank you Russell.
    The rest of the day was spent making dinner watching the news as we all did, feeling helpless and distraught at times, feeling useless, being annoyed over the trivial (it’s devastate not decimate dammit) and knowing that was just a reaction as well, flicking between channels to try and see a different picture, checking twitter and the blogs, somehow trying to stay engaged.
    This morning there is a subdued atmosphere here at work as I’m sure there is everywhere except for where it really matters in Christchurch, where they work to try and save lives and recover bodies.
    There isn’t much I can do but feel shocked and sad.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Wegan,

    I haven't heard from emma today - I am assuming no power = no computer or phone - has anyone else heard anything?

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Philip hasn't checked in on Twitter yet.

    Update: he has.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    From FarmGeek:

    A bunch of people have worked to create one place for all #EQNZ support and engagemnt info: CrisisCampNZ http://ur1.ca/3bapo

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Account from a Press reporter of being in the building.

    New Zealand, we need you to have our back on this one. We don't need insensitive journalism and voyeuristic pictures of our dead.

    We do need decisive leadership - on the radio at 3pm Mayor Bob Parker's comment that he couldn't declare a state of emergency was met with jeers of derision from the affected. That said I don't want to give Bob a hard time, kudos to him for stepping up again. Maybe, though, it's too much for one man to be expected to lead us through another disaster like this?

    New Zealand we need you to have our backs. Aside from practical support which we thank you for, we need you to understand how draining and anxiety-causing these aftershocks are. We need you to give us your strength, kindness and support to help us get through this anxiety-ridden time.

    Wherever you live, whatever you do, hold your loved ones close, tell the people you care about what they mean to you, and please, no matter where you are in New Zealand, pack your survival kit - I used to watch those ads and think they didn't apply to me too.

    Life is fragile. I stood on the edge of the abyss and peered into the darkness today.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    (Also, Craig – Ross said that last thing you replied to, not me. I’m on your side! Don’t shoot!)

    Heh... No shooting. Instead, I've put on The Four Last Songs, cranked it up and luxuriated in a mighty wave of cleansing, heart-breaking beauty.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Lisa Black, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Thank you, Gio.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2010 • 71 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Orcon Great Sleepover

    genius branding too

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Austin,

    Slightly related question - are Timaru and Dunedin airports functioning for normal travel from the North Island?

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    We do need decisive leadership – on the radio at 3pm Mayor Bob Parker’s comment that he couldn’t declare a state of emergency was met with jeers of derision from the affected.

    *Sigh* I think a raw-nerves free pass has well and truly been earned there, but as I understand the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act he really couldn’t without following a process that exists for a reason. Decisive leadership is about getting things right, not just doing them right now. and sweat the details later. There are too many places today where that kind of approach quite literally put lives at risk.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Wegan, in reply to Ben Austin,

    I know lots of the media flew into Timaru, so I imagne so.

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Ben: colleague was in Timaru last night, is flying in to Wellington via Dunedin now.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    @ben, same. colleagues exiting Sth Is via Dunedin this morning.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Lucy, Craig, thanks for your comforting words. And thanks Russell for the awesome power of PAS to link us all together. Great to see lots of Chch PAS people checking in.

    I have nothing coherent to say this morning, incredibly impressed by David's ability to write an article in the circs! Crikey.

    Arohanui to all.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    We do need decisive leadership – on the radio at 3pm Mayor Bob Parker’s comment that he couldn’t declare a state of emergency was met with jeers of derision from the affected.

    *Sigh* I think a raw-nerves free pass has well and truly been earned there, but as I understand the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act he really couldn’t without following a process that exists for a reason.

    Yes, and he pretty much explained that. I think Parker has been tremendous -- and that's from someone who thinks he milked it a bit in September. Vicki's not exactly a polished writer -- parts of that story are a bit random -- but by the same token she wrote things that perhaps others wouldn't have, and those things had impact.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Lilith __,

    I have nothing coherent to say this morning, incredibly impressed by David’s ability to write an article in the circs! Crikey.

    It's better than that. He wrote that Guardian piece on his phone.

    At 2am.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

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