My first impression of Christchurch when I arrived was that it resembled Europe, with a homely feel. It’s a smaller, compact, laid-back, and very green place.
My trip was long, but I flew with New Zealand Airlines, and they are amazing. The staff was amicable, the food was like French culinary delights, and the aircraft was comfortable. I did upgrade my seat. It would be challenging for me to be on a tiny seat for 15 hours.
When we arrived, my husband was there to greet us, along with our pets, Smokey and Mary Jane. We’re staying at an apartment hotel, which costs us around USD$75 a night. The apartment is very comfortable, with two rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, laundry facilities, and a living room.
“If you want to buy a slice of Heaven, you need to make New Zealand your home.”
–Rod Donald
Upon Arrival
I felt tired despite arriving early in the morning and having slept. I technically lost a day. I left on Tuesday, and I arrived on Thursday… funny, right? Christchurch is 17 hours ahead of Texas time.
So we went to purchase some appliances for the new home. Afterward, we had lunch and took a walk around. It was stunning. By 9 pm, I fell asleep.
On Sunday, we had breakfast and wandered around Central City Christchurch, also known as “the central city”. Christchurch is a small yet very beautiful city.
Are there earthquakes in NZ?
Over thousands of years, numerous eruptions have made New Zealand an island from different magma. The islands are located on two major tectonic plates, and when they collide, the islands experience earthquakes.
There have been several significant earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, including ones in 1850, 1881, and 1888 at a distance of 100 km (62 miles) with a magnitude of 7.1, and one in 1901. However, the most destructive earthquake occurred on 22 February 2011, claiming the lives of 185 people.
Earthquakes frequently occur in New Zealand; historical records indicate that approximately 14,000 to 15,000 earthquakes occur each year, although most people do not feel the majority of them due to their small size. These earthquakes can be felt, with around 150 to 200 of them being noticeable. This situation is similar to California, where I experienced several earthquakes when I lived there.
On average, New Zealand experiences approximately six magnitude 6 earthquakes each year, one magnitude 7 earthquake every 10 years, and a magnitude 8 earthquake every century. Considering these historical records, it is likely that an earthquake of magnitude 7 will occur in the near future.
The cathedral suffered a huge hit during the natural catastrophe. After debating for several years, we made the decision to repair the cathedral.
Another historical structure, the Canterbury Province Council building, is currently undergoing reconstruction.
Many buildings in Central City still show cracked walls or are supported by metal poles, displaying remnants of the 2011 earthquake.
Many other buildings didn’t get the chance to rebuild. Some remain as ruins in the city, bearing witness to the destructive force of earthquakes. Once again, Mother Nature proves to be unforgiving…
Canterbury is a region in the central-eastern part of the South Island of New Zealand. It is known for being the largest low-lying farming district in the country.
Māori culture
The Māori culture is ever-present in New Zealand, with Māori people being an essential part of life in the country. I had a conversation with a New Zealand resident who informed me that 30 years ago, the New Zealand government actively integrated the Māori culture into the fabric of the nation. This is significant because the Māori have historical ties to the land predating the arrival of Europeans who later claimed it.
They arrived on this island over 1000 years ago from Polynesia. Māori is one of New Zealand’s official languages, along with English and New Zealand Sign Language.
“Kia Ora” can be used to say hello, express gratitude, or send love. It’s a warm welcome greeting from the indigenous Māori language. When translated, “Kia” means life, and “Ora” refers to future presence, indicating that something will happen. It’s pretty awesome, don’t you think?
One fascinating fact is that New Zealanders are often referred to as Kiwis. The Kiwi is a native flightless bird that is peculiar yet captivating when you see it in pictures. During World War I, soldiers from New Zealand were nicknamed Kiwis, and the name has stuck to this day.
There is so much more to discover… I’m pretty excited!
New Zealand is a country of thirty thousand million sheep, three million of whom think they are human–
Barry Humphries
