Category Archives: Earthquakes

Devils, details, dark arts and Trojan horses – Update

Posted on 20th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

If confirmation were needed that “putting to one side” volume 2 of the Central City Plan is because the rules and regulations in them will be neutered, then here it is. Jo Kane on CTV’s ‘One on One‘ interview programme … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Free Market, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Devils, details, dark arts and Trojan horses

Posted on 19th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

Allow me a Cassandra moment. Like the Trojans in the midst of a decades long war, living in Christchurch is, for many people, an experience with precious little long-term hope. Many people have, however, invested a good deal of hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Christchurch’s Second Coming

Posted on 8th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

“And what rough beast, its hour come round at last Slouches toward [Christchurch] to be born?” The ground is now being prepared for the future incarnation of Christchurch. What comes our way will bear the marks and influences of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Fascism, Freedom, Human Wellbeing, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A lesson about community

Posted on 4th Mar, 2012 by Puddleglum

Who would have thought that, in the saga that is the ‘recovery’ of Christchurch, it would be the Anglican Church that would give us the clearest example of the emptiness of modern expressions of ‘community’? When push came to shove … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Free Market, Human Wellbeing, National Identity, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Not aspiring to a spire?

Posted on 2nd Mar, 2012 by Puddleglum

The earthquake has turned everything upside down. The Wizard is at war with the Anglican Church – and I’m in agreement with Councillor Jamie Gough. Whatever happened to life’s eternal certainties? Looks like we’d better not ask Bishop Matthews – she … Continue reading →

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No ordinary day

Posted on 22nd Feb, 2012 by Puddleglum

Today has not been an ordinary day. But then neither was this day a year ago, nor many days in between. I went to the earthquake Memorial Service in North Hagley Park with my wife and daughter. We left early … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Human Wellbeing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

(Communication) Breakdown?

Posted on 23rd Jan, 2012 by Puddleglum

It was all too predictable. After voting for a controversial 14.4%, $68,000, backdated salary increase for its ‘CEO’, Tony Marryatt, a few weeks before Christmas, the Christchurch City Council – or, more precisely, Mayor Bob Parker and Tony Marryatt himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Shearer on ‘How big is my politics?’

Posted on 19th Jan, 2012 by Puddleglum

Q. What’s the difference between Donald O’Connor, Jimmy Durante and David Shearer? A. All three of them express the naive belief that “It’s bigger than both of us!” but only two of them have the excuse that they were singing … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Green with envy

Posted on 11th Sep, 2011 by Puddleglum

As many know, Christchurch has been divided into four zones: Red; orange, white and green. Less well known – but increasingly apparent -there are interesting emotional and social psychological divisions emerging in a way that neatly maps onto that zoning. … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics, politics of envy | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Offers we can’t refuse; commitments we can’t trust – and other conditions for growing mushrooms

Posted on 29th Jun, 2011 by Puddleglum

Now that the government has unveiled a multi-coloured map of Christchurch, that represents its current thinking on ‘retiring land’, compensation packages and mass internal migration it’s a good time to reflect on the state of play and highlight a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment