– Even though the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and atomic plant events have grabbed the world’s attention, the things that have been going on down here in New Zealand to Christchurch are still huge to this nation and people.
– dennis
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More than half of the voters in a Stuff-Press online poll say they are planning on leaving Christchurch – or would if they weren’t tied to the city by their properties or jobs.
Forty thousand people voted on the unscientific poll and 64 per cent said they wanted to leave the city or didn’t know what to do.
Christchurch has been shaken by three severe quakes since September and many people have packed up and left.
Twenty-one per cent of the people who responded to the poll said they planned to leave the city and 26 per cent said they would if it was not for their properties or jobs.
Another 3.5 per cent said they were prepared to walk away from their houses.
The poll asked whether people were planning to leave Christchurch, if they would if it wasn’t for their properties or jobs, whether they plan to stay in the city and if they are unsure of what to do.
Thirty-six per cent said they did not want to leave and just over 13 per cent said they did not know what to do.
Clinical psychologist Corina Grennell said people should leave if they felt it was their best option, but she questioned whether there was anywhere in the world that was safe.
Her house was on a tilt and a large crack ran underneath it. The Grennell family was determined to stay, but wanted to move to another suburb.
Pam and James Kelly moved to New Zealand six years ago to give their family a better life, but the quakes had taken their toll on the family of four, forcing them to return to Scotland.
The Kellys’ story mirrors thousands throughout the city, where people have decided enough is enough, packed up their belongings and left for more stable ground.
May recorded the largest exodus to Australia in one month since 1979 and that was partly attributed to Christchurch residents fleeing the city after the February earthquake.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said he was not worried about an exodus.
“The vast majority of people in this city love it,” he said.
“We know we will get through this stage. We will rebuild our communities. Some may not be in the same places though.”
– to the original… ➡
Tags: Earthquake