With global attention now focused on the ongoing tragedy in Japan, it is easy to lose focus on the onward journey to recovery facing New Zealand. It has been almost two months since the 6.3 magnitude earthquake left Christchurch in devastation on February 22nd. Plans to rebuild Christchurch are well underway, but recent figures suggest that a residential rebuild could require up to 12,500 full time workers, according to Prime Minister John Key.

Shortages of skilled labourers inlcude those in occupations such as concreters, carpenters and joiners. The Government is working on a number of solutions for this problem, including initiatives to train new people. Meanwhile, the Government has  already spent $1.1 billion since the February earthquake. In order to accommodate the spending, Government programmes may be cut and cuts to Working for Families payments for high income earners are also being considered.

As the city strives toward some sense of normalacy, Christchurch’s Canterbury Television (CTV) will be up and running on April 18th. The CTV building collapsed during the earthquake, killing 16 staff members as well as 60 students and staff from a foreign language school. The station will host an on air tribute for those who perished in the collapse and will now be operating from the Mainland Press building.

Fundraising events are also ongoing, with the most recent being held at North Shore's Bruce Mason Centre. The “To Christchurch with Love” benefit concert took place last Saturday and featured a plethora of artists. Britain’s Got Talent star Paul Potts peformed along with The Lady Killers, Ray Woolf, Robyn Malcolm and a number of  Kiwi artists. Recent visitors to New Zealand’s disaster zone have included Prince William.

We too at Hurricane Healing want to help. Fifty per cent of the funds raised from our compilation albums will go straight to those who need it the most. In this situation it will go towards rebuilding the infrastructure of Christchurch and towards looking for skilled labourers. Click here to download the most recent compilation!

You can also make a direct donation through our website, simply click the donate button on the home page.