Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shaky Isles
There's no denying it, NZ has had it tough over
the last few years. It may be a long way away
from just about everywhere but it is not im-
mune to the vagaries of the global economy. In
September 2010, just as the country was edging
out of its worst recession in 30 years, a mag-
nitude 7.1 earthquake struck near Christchurch,
the nation's second-largest city. The damage
was extensive but miraculously no lives were
lost, partly because the earthquake occurred in
the early hours of the morning when people
were in their beds.
Then, in the early afternoon of 22 February
2011, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Christ-
church. This time the city wasn't so lucky and
185 people lost their lives. Numerous buildings,
already weakened by the September 2010
quake and its aftershocks, were damaged bey-
ond repair and had to be demolished com-
pletely.
The city's rebuild has been slow: the centre
of the city didn't reopen fully until mid-2013.
Cantabrians, however, have displayed admir-
able resilience and innovation, helping Christ-
church to re-emerge as one of NZ's most excit-
ing cities. With the city centre still somewhat
'munted', fringe suburbs have been reinvigor-
ated, such as Woolston ('Coolston') and Ad-
dington, while an innovative cardboard (yes
cardboard!) cathedral has been brought into the
fold. The city was named by Lonely Planet as
one of the world's top 10 cities in its
Best in
Travel 2013
.
Best on Film
Lorrd o
ilogy(Dir: Sir
Peter Jackson; 2001-03) The three-
instalment adaptation of Tolkien's
work that cleaned up at the Oscars.
TThe Hobb
d of th
f the R
e Riings t
s trrilo
ilogy(Dir: Sir Peter
Jackson; 2012-14) Having practised
onLOTR, director Jackson goes all
out on the prequel.
TThe P
e Hobbit t
it trrilo
e Piiano(Dir: Jane Campion;
1993) Erotica, an unforgettable axe
scene and a youthful Sookie Stack-
house fromTrue Blood.
WWhale R
iderr(Dir: Niki Caro;
2002)Allegorical battle of the sexes
set in a small, Maori village; cameo
from whale.
Boy(Dir: Taika Waititi; 2010) Funny,
affectionate portrayal of a young
Maori boy reconnecting with his
father.
ale Ride
Best in Print
TThe L
e Luumiinarriies(Eleanor Catton;
2013) Gold-rush tales in epic form;
winner of the 2013 Man Booker.
TThe C
e Colle
ollectted St
d Storriies o
s of K
f Kattherriine
MManssfield
ield(Penguin; 2007) The es-
sential anthology of NZ's most fam-
ous short-story writer.
Mis
Mistter P
r Piip(Lloyd Jones; 2007)
Charles Dickens changes a girl's ex-
pectations during the Bougainville
civil war.
