Gary McCormick is a well known New Zealand tv and radio personality. He lives in Christchurch and is also a poet. He wrote an earthquake Poem:
Its a pretty New Zealand poem by a pretty New Zealand bloke.
Right. Now for some updates:
Today the death toll rose by one. It is now 160.
The names of two more lost ones were released.
They were both from Israel.
Ofer Levy, 22, and his 23-year-old friend Gabi Ingel,
Rest In Peace.
Major Update:
At Westminster Cathedral, 5000 New Zealanders paid an emotional tribute to those who lost their lives.
Hayley Westenra sang the national anthem, and a tribute from Prime Minister John Key was be read by the New Zealand High Commissioner.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/...
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said today it would be some months before the central business district (CBD) would reopen.
"However", he says, "in terms of putting a timeline on what that is, we just don't have information at this stage."
A lot of planning work needed to be done, but he hoped to be able to give a time within the next few weeks.
A website has been set up where people can post messages to health workers at the frontline of the Christchurch earthquake response. http://www.amos.org.nz/
30,000+ chemical toilets (loos in New Zealand) should be arriving in the next few days and officials hope to get them installed as soon as possible.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...
Officials continue to stress the need to boil water. If you don’t have power, there is another alternative.
“Five drops of household bleach into one litre of water,” Dr Ramon Pink of the Canterbury DHB told 3 News.
“Or one teaspoon in 10 litres.”
http://www.3news.co.nz/...
More footage has been unearthed showing moments after the quake hit:
Donations can be made here:
http://www.redcross.org.nz/...
http://www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz/
While I was out a couple of major announcements were made:
The search for survivors from the Christchurch earthquake has changed to one of recovery of bodies.
Prime Minister John Key said the move to recovery phase was an acknowledgement that they did not believe anyone else was alive.
The quake has claimed 161 lives with an expected final toll of 220.
Families of the missing were briefed on the shift in operational focus this afternoon.
Key said a national memorial service would be held in Christchurch in the next few weeks.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/...