How are our New Zealand Hubbers coping?

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   kirstenblogposted 14 years ago

   I hope you guys are all OK and have not lost any loved ones and they are accounted for. Sending you guys all my best wishes and prayers and such!

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      ssaulposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      My heart goes out to the people of NZ!

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   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   Cheers Kirsty but a lot of us don't know yet.. they are keeping the bad news on the back burner atm.  I'm sure the next 24 hours will show this to be far worse than first thought to be!   And I'm a Positive Kiwi. 
   Many countries have sent people and aid, which is absolutely amazing and appreciated, but this has also sadly shown that the NZ Government has not really performed very well, especially in the upskilling of kiwis in modern skills, professions etc. 
   Factually, there are so many of us Not There (In NZ) that skilled people in any Real Numbers are just not existent at home.
   Really not good enough... but also the tax payers have paid out a few billion to failed finance companies, maori treaty claims and the previous earthquake. Mind You.. the both earthquakes are reinsured.. but the $800,000,000 odd given to maori over the last period certainly came out of all tax payer's pockets!
   NZ looks to be quite close to re-entering recession, if the markets take a hit as well.. Interesting times! Sad times!

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      Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Very sad - a few of us have written hubs about it.  I lived there for more than 3 years, and it is surreal to see such a pretty city looking like a bomb site.  It's NZ's 2nd biggest city, and will hurt NZ a lot

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         Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Totally agree BB.

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            Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            hubby thought he wanted to be back in NZ - but realistically, what use would we be?  I couldn't have handled all those months of aftershocks.  But when people have their homes in a place, it's not easy to just move.  It's like some of the areas wiped out by floods here in QLD - one little town that had 300 people now only has 10 people

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   simeonvisserposted 14 years ago

   I walked around there only a few months ago, it's a bit surreal to see everything in ruins now. I hope everyone is okay!

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   kirstenblogposted 14 years ago

   I feel for ya PD!
   I still have my fingers crossed for you guys!
   
   The damage is pretty shocking but I would be very happy if its just damage to buildings, with most people escaping with only minor injuries. Guess we are just going to have to wait to find out the extent of the damage to human life there.

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      Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Cheers mate... but there are nearly 300 unaccounted for atm which is 36 hours after the quake.  After 48 hours the chances of living are usually snuffed out in such situations.
      They have already abandoned the CTV site in which close to 50 people are expected to be found, stating the site was "Unsafe and Unsurvivable!" - I couldn't believe that but it is a direct consequence of not having enough SAR personnel and having to deploy them over a wider area.
      Just not good enough reason to desert your fellow humans! Imagine if that had happened on 9/11 in New York.... No one GAVE UP There!
      Yet this is the second time in 6 months our Government has handed the problem to the police and they have stopped the searching.. the first time was Pike River Coal Mine cave-in/explosion... the police refused everyone the opportunity to dig their mates out - They just let them all die, telling us that the explosion killed them all - without evidence! Amazing!

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         Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         surely they would have been incinerated in that mine disaster?  The coolest temps were over 100 degrees with frequent explosions and toxic gases.
         
         The person in head of the rescue team said he was not going to risk lives trying to get people out when not one peep, plus had fires.  It's a tough call for someone to make

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            Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Re: Pike River.. They had a widow of opportunity at the beginning and pulled that stunt. Did you not wonder why all the relevant MPs were there? 
            
            I will write (Formally) about this soon.. and Why the Government removed everyone's ability to challenge them by calling for a Royal Commission - that gave them the bush to hide behind and ability to refuse to answer as it was now subject to a RC! - Slick denial technique, given the fact that the Directors of PRCM also called the receivers, took their own 6 figure redundancies and went back to work along side the MPs with a vested interest in NZ Oil and Gas!
            The Initial Information was distorted to justify the call to not attempt to try! Further information showed that the initial explosion was not as large as had been promoted.  It was a Completely Negligent Operation by the police and the government!
            Do some research.. it will 'Blow you away!'
            They had also been negotiating mining rights with Iwi at the time and they sure a hell did not want those details coming out! This is a level of BS that we have never really seen before, but it is the same players and it has contributed to breaking this country!
            For anyone wondering - the NZ Maori Party amount to 2.3% of the vote in NZ Parliament, but partnered the existing ruling party to ensure that that party was secure in Parliament, the terms of that deal remains 'secret' but involves rewards that include huge cash inducements and information sharing which in itself holds an immeasurable value...
            
            And Cheers everyone for your wishes.

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               Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I am part Maori, but I find it embarrassing at how the Maori get paid out for historical land claims - who actually gets this money? 
               
               Another thing that bothers me immensely about NZ is the billions given to dole-bludgers - a 'lifestyle' for many.  And who are all the future workers to pay for all this?
               
               Where there is politics, there is lies and cover ups - NZ is not special in this regard.  Unfortunately, we only get to hear what the media tell us (and they are probably gagged). 
               
               I hope that right decisions have been made regarding safely of the rescue people when it comes to recovery.  Don't need more casualties.  It was sad how it all panned out for the mining people  & their families - I can see how it would have been very disrespectful/insensitive how no-one wants to know anymore when it's too dangerous or too expensive.

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                  Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Oh I totally agree with you BB and I'm certainly not trying to degrade the real strength of kiwis (irrespective of racial origins).  We showed who we are as a nation during 2 World Wars, as did the Aussis. Race had nothing to do with who we collectively were as ANZACs.
                  There is a 3 generational problem in NZ where it has become a culture in itself to be 'Kept.'
                  Who got the money? - Indeed! - none of my friends.
                  
                  I apologize if it came across as though I was being critical of those who have devoted their time, efforts and compassion to help try to save others! That wasn't my intent.. I was merely trying to highlight the inconsistency that occurs when $s and political purpose become part of the equation.
                  Money WAS an issue at Pike River - irrespective of what was promoted. Has the PM been back there? The Directors got paid their Redundancies! THEY called to have the company placed in receivership and paid themselves first from the funds that should have been used to recover the miners and feed their families! The company admitted later that the first blast was NOT as severe as was promoted - It was handled completely wrong! Just ask the people of the West Coast... I'm merely being honest and factual.

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            Lissieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Yes they would have been and its the standard protocol in the mining industry - obviously not well understood in the NZ media - you never risk other people's lives to recover bodies - I worked in the Australian mines for a number of years - you never leave a mate behind, unless he's already dead.

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   kirstenblogposted 14 years ago

   Hubby and I have been wanting to move there for some time now, specifically to Christchurch because it seems like a great place to live and raise a family. We both are still hoping to be able to sort everything out so we can move there.

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      Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      won't want to go in a hurry - will take a long time to be functioning well again.  Apparently the ground isn't great to build on & is all slurry
      
      http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3147060.htm

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   travelespressoposted 14 years ago

   Sorry I don't know how to quote part of a message - this para is from Pearldiver -[Cheers Kirsty but a lot of us don't know yet.. they are keeping the bad news on the back burner atm.  I'm sure the next 24 hours will show this to be far worse than first thought to be!   And I'm a Positive Kiwi.]
   
   I agree PD - The politicians and those in charge of the relief operations are priming us for bad news.  They seem to do this with most disasters lately.  However, I really hope, and am sending positive thoughts from afar, for the best possible outcome in the circumstances.  It's horrific.

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   SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years ago

   ...listening and reading news updates.....it's hard to find words for such devastation...

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   we weceposted 14 years ago

   Will be a double blow if NZ heads back into recession but I am with you about the wasted money. I lost money over the collapsed finance companies and the Maori payouts over the years just make my blood boil.
   I think they waste just as much if not more here in Australia (Desal plants, traveston dam, corrupt politicians)  but are very lucky to have the minerals at the moment to dig out of the ground.
   
   I have just seen on the news that crews have gone back into the CTV building in Christchurch, I think they were waiting for the city to be emptied with the curfew so there were not to many people around when they started removing the deceased.

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   sofsposted 14 years ago

   It is horrifying to watch the images.. it is really a sad sight..my heart goes out to all New Zealanders .. My best wishes and prayers.

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    Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

    All of this information is infuriating and heartbreaking at the same time.  Many condolences and continuing best wishes in this tragic situation.

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       kirstenblogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       That's just how I feel. I guess corruption isn't just an American or British thing, surprise surprise

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    Lissieposted 14 years ago

    Just to clarify - they didn't "give up" on the CTV building - if/when the Grand Chancellor (26 stories) collapses - it could have killed the rescuers! When a building that size moves meters within hours and there are still major after shockers (4 and above and dozens in the last days)
    
    They are now back on site and are starting to remove the bodies.

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       Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       we might get emotional & distorted stories about abandonment.  I respect their decision to be careful with a building that might fall.  I saw footage from an Aussie rescue team crawling in flattened carpark buildings to look for survivors - they are risking their own lives because the buildings are so unstable & there are still big aftershocks.

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    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    Don't really know what to say except I hope this is the end of Mother Nature's rage against civilization. Chill out, MN!
    May the damages in NZ be less than estimated.
    And of all things I wish for our Kiwi friends is this -- NO RECESSIONS ALLOWED!
    (I'm shouting at the top of my recesssion-dampened lungs).

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    superwagsposted 14 years ago

    My very best wishes and thoughts to all in New Zealand, particularly those in the beautiful city of Christchurch - I hope that any news you recieve is good news.

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    CMHypnoposted 14 years ago

    I visited Christchurch in 2007 and it was a beautiful city, with such friendly people.  I hope that the estimated casualty figures are lower than predicted, and that there are still more miracles with finding survivors to come. It never fails to amaze me how long people can survive in difficult situations, and even one more person found alive would be wonderful.
    
    Unfortunately, in the longer term it will take Christchurch a long time to recover. Buildings need to be rebuilt and strengthened, and businesses will be wary of investing in the area.

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