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A street in Christchurch is in ruins after the February 22 earthquake. - Source: Sonia Mountain -
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It feels like so much has happened in the space of just three days.
People's lives have changed in an instant. Others may not be so dramatically affected but are still facing a long clean up in a city that is far from normal.
This is my hometown. My family moved here when I was 16. I have family, friends and many favourite haunts here.
To cover a story like this can be tough. As a journalist you want to get there and get the goods, but for many of us working for TVNZ it goes much deeper than the stories you are seeing on the news.
As a former Europe Correspondent for ONE News, I have sadly seen death and devastation close up before.
But seeing it in your own streets, hearing names you know so well that are on the list of missing or dead is a different thing to deal with.
It is difficult to watch people in pain, the raw grief and emotion. I have cried - I would worry if I hadn't.
I have seen people deal with their grief in so many ways. When news broke that the rescue operation at CTV was being scaled back, the cameraman and I went to give our support to one of the men we'd interviewed just an hour before, then so full of hope.
He wrapped his arms around us both and let out heaving sobs. It's a moment that brings tears to my eyes to think about.
Everyone craves information. When my family and friends saw the news for the first time, two days after the quake, they were overwhelmed.
The TV pictures were being paused as they literally stood up and pored over and pointed at the city streets they knew so well.
My parents now understand, after seeing the pictures of people fleeing the streets in the inner city where they work, why I was so worried.
Right now people want to keep busy, but with the city moving towards a slow, sad recovery there's not much to do. It's a helplessness that's starting to hit people hard.
I doubt there's much sleep happening in many homes. I've heard many stories of children sleeping with parents, camping in the lounge or wanting the night light on.
There's the fear of another big one but also the uncertainty of businesses and work in the coming months.
For all those who have family in the area, I know you, like me, will be desperate to get here, to help, to just be with the ones you love the most.
We love this place for its park, its buildings, Sumner beach, the Port Hills, the Dux de Lux, the northwesters, the flatness.
But most of what ties us to the city is the people. And at the moment they're bewildered and scared, living in a city that doesn't make much sense.
They will need us. In the months ahead, when the media leaves, and the world moves on to other problems, we have to remember that the people who live here aren't able to do that.
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news@tvnz.co.nz
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentroyalcourtier said on 2011-03-14 @ 21:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
The whole focus of this debate is wrong. There is no reason for any of these buildings to be demolished. It is not a case of which should be saved, but which should be demolished. There are few which cannot be saved. What people are missing is that if a building is demolished unnecessarily, and illegally, there won't be any insurance. Only the city can approve demolition - civil defence cannot do so.
Adam Chc said on 2011-03-09 @ 14:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
As a small business based near the epicentre in Christchurch we are strugeling to survive and simply can not afford a day off. I also do not think I or my staff are reasdy for a day of mourning yet. I am surprised the govenment would even consider this, it shows how out of touch they are to the impact this is having on business and staff.
annej said on 2011-03-08 @ 15:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
I must congratulate Bob Parker for his leadership and his caring nature to all people in Christchurch and his unfaultering continual contact with his people, a fine leader and the restoration of Christchurch should go through him and the council and not left to those who do not care about the uniqueness of Christchurch, sack Brownlee, send him back where he come from.
annej said on 2011-03-08 @ 15:04 NZDT: Report abusive post
At a time when the suffering is entering an unacceptable time frame of two weeks, John Key throws the baby out with the bath water and states that the government will buy the land off people who have suffered so much,this is akin to pulling the rug from underneath those who are stressed,do not know their fate and have lost loved ones, more thought and empathy is needed from central govt and to deal with the bulk of the people and not just the business sector.Thoughts and prayers to all.
Huatoki said on 2011-03-08 @ 13:37 NZDT: Report abusive post
As with every issue he's dealt with, Brownlee crashes in with an ill-advised and inflammatory attitude, then scuttles behind his officials and is unavailable for comment. Christchurch needs unifying, reassuring and competent leadership and Brownlee consistently fails on all three counts. We need resources, not divisiveness. If the minister cannot deliver them quickly and efficiently, he needs to go. We deserve better.