PR from the Beach

Christchurch gathers in consolation

 

Yesterday's Christchurch Memorial Service saw the end of an indescribably long three weeks, punctuated by unbelievable tragedy, devastation and destruction.

Many have remarked on the resilience of the human spirit and taken great comfort from the selfless humanitarian actions of others. At this very minute, that selflessness is in evidence still at the Japanese nuclear power plant as workers - some of whom have themselves described it as a suicide mission - continue to do all they can to prevent meltdown. It is truly incredible that in the space of just one week, Japan has borne earthquake, tsunami, nuclear accident all now interlaced with frozen snow and ice.

Our own earthquake, less than a month ago, was commemorated at Hagley Park yesterday. The video above was played during the service and provides a grim illustration of the extent of the damage, as well as the task set before those courageous enough to go straight into the debris to search for survivors.  As the brave Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams were applauded on arrival at the service - and how fittingly so, being the heroes that they are - my thoughts were with their colleagues in Japan who, having worked their way through the crumbled ruins of Christchurch rescuing the living and retrieving the dead, now pick their way through the frozen carnage left by our world's most recent natural disaster.

Many have commented that watching the live footage of the tsunami was akin to watching a disaster movie, complete with amazing special effects - simply because that kind of devastation isn't something we recognise as being  'real life'. It is the stuff of imagination, not the grim reality of living nightmare. This was a real and ghastly event, sweeping away real people, real lives and real places.

The first nine weeks of 2011 have left millions of lives changed forever. My hope - and the hope of millions of other ordinary people like me - is that we can work together to help all those affected by these disasters and upheavals to rebuild and rediscover their lives. There have been thousands of heroic actions both here and in Japan and every single moment, every single action merits tribute.

We won't ever be in the same league as the USAR heroes, but we can all do something to help. As has been said: no kindness, however small, is wasted. And to all those in the services - USAR, firefighters, police offices,  paramedics and many, many others -  who selflessly put their own lives on the line, on hold or on the edge when disaster strikes, we owe you a debt of gratitude that we can only humbly acknowledge, never repay. Thank you.

Kia Kaha Christchurch

February has been bracketed by disaster. I started the month writing about Tropical Cyclone Yasi and I'm ending it with a post about the devastating earthquake that has shaken the beautiful city of Christchurch to its knees.

But amid the sorrow and tragic loss of life, the human spirit has shone through, not just in the bravery of those entering the crumbled buildings to rescue others, or the thousands of volunteers who have flocked to help, but in the day-to-day of things - a word of comfort, an act of concern, a smile amid the wreckage, a stranger opening a door to those displaced. New Zealand has shown itself to be a national family and the first line of our national anthem has been underlined by the actions of its citizens:

"God of nations at thy feet, in the bonds of love we meet'

Aroha - love - is much in evidence, demonstrated by the actions of many. Collective worry for the thousands affected continues to deepen as we try to work forward to improve their desperate situation. 

Up here in Auckland we have running water, flushing toilets, uncracked walls and roofs intact - but even so, the disaster has touched everyone. New Zealand is a small country and without exception, we all have a friend or a family member who is involved in some way.  We have all leapt into action, doing whatever we can to help ease the plight of those whose lives have been shattered by natural disaster for the second time in six months. Whatever we do doesn't seem to be enough - so we'll do more. And we'll keep doing more until it's fixed.

Tomorrow there will be two minutes of silence at 12.51pm.  There will be a sea of red and black as people wear the colours of Canterbury. There will be tears, resolve and determination. There are still the missing to find and, as has been said time and again, everything is being done to bring them home to their loved ones.

It was a savage and brutal earthquake. It ripped apart an already injured city, trying as it was to heal after the September 4 2010 earthquake.  There will be weeks ahead to look, explore and plan what comes next, how to rebuild and how, simply, to stay while the deep scars heal. But, for the moment, it is enough to say stay strong. It will get better, the arms of the nation are open to all - and everyone will do their best. Kia Kaha Christchurch