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John Key and mayor Bob Parker survey the damage to buildings in central Christchurch following the quake - Source: Reuters -
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Bob Parker says the initial adrenaline rush has dropped off after yesterday's devastating quake and people are now having to face the reality of the situation.
The mayor of Christchurch said people are now very tired and volunteers are finding their spirit is starting to be sapped by the scale of the event.
He said people have to be patient and work together "but it's a hard hard grind ahead of us now".
Everybody in this city and province has lost something but they need to hold on to the positive and remember they have not lost someone, he said.
Parker said the next task is getting the city working again.
Blankets and tarpaulins have been coming into the region from all over New Zealand and Parker said officials are "deeply concerned" about the weather forecast for the days ahead.
He said welfare centres will have to move over the coming days but officials will make sure there is a place for people and food for them.
"We cannot get over this unless we work together as a community," the mayor said.
And Parker is still astounded that no one was killed in the massive earthquake. He said the historic old masonry buildings in Christchurch have suffered but it is an absolute miracle that they haven't lost anybody to the quake.
We can fix roads, patch buildings and replace pipes but we cannot replace people, he told TVNZ's Q+A programme this morning.
Parker has flown over the city in a helicopter and he said the devastation in the eastern part of the city is amazing.
The mayor is not optimistic that the business area can open tomorrow, saying the damage to buildings is extensive and there are tough days ahead.
Parker is pleased the destruction has been seen first hand by the Prime Minister and two other cabinet ministers and believes central government has a real appreciation of what's ahead. And he said the response from people around the country has been "truly magnificent".
We are completely dependent on our fellow citizens, he said.
"For most people this is as real as it ever gets."
Parker has also given credit to the media, saying they have done an outstanding job in helping get messages out to the people.
He said while it's too early to assess the city's response, he doesn't have a single complaint about what has happened to date and said the co-operation has been extraordinary with everybody working really hard.
Parker said one of the challenges has been to continually adapt and what you might take for granted one minute can completely changed in the next.
"We're actually living this moment by moment," he said.
"I can't tell you what will happen in the next 30 seconds and that the reality of the situation which we are in."
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Post new commentgordy said on 2010-09-09 @ 13:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im my 51 years on this earth I have never felt so pertrified..my first thoughts was we had been hit by a nuclear bomb and it was Armageddon. Never ever want to experience it again
schicken said on 2010-09-08 @ 19:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
I thought the same thing initially. However, another quake big enough to close or shift the cracks further is likely to be heard first and all the kids will most likely be fine. If a child does get swallowed up, I'm probably not going to have huge empathy for the media coverage or their parents, but until then, let the region have a little bit of fun. Education about health risks regarding contaminated water may be a good idea for all. :)
thinkaboutit said on 2010-09-06 @ 23:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
More great coverage tonight TVNZ especially highlighting the situation at individual community levels where people reported they felt abandoned. All credit to those organising themselves into community working groups at this level despite this. Arguably the recovery process would be greatly enhanced if these community groups were psychologically and practically supported by establishing official coordination centres at individual community levels.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
You're making some good points here. Perhaps some of the donations could be towards purchasing and setting up storage of these sorts of things. Individuals are also responsible for making their own preparations. I clean and keep old 3L juice bottles filled with water. Every now and then I water my house plants with one and refill it to refresh it.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why are they buying water? Aren't there several tankers about the city giving it away?