Editor’s Note: Staying strong
Often just when you think things are progressing tickety-boo, something happens to upset the proverbial apple cart.
Christchurch has had its share of such happenings, from downright disasterous earthquakes, to life-threatening blazes in the hills. Summer was progressing nicely until last week when fire broke out in the Port Hills yet again, endangering lives and homes. Once more, however, it showed just how Christchurch and its residents rally together in times of trouble, and work for the common good.
Fire and emergency crews have worked tirelessly together to contain and suppress the initial blaze, and several others that also broke out around Christchurch in recent days. Crews have also been kept busy attending vegetation fires elsewhere in the region, including in Rolleston and Glentui.
Homes have been evacuated, and the Christchurch Adventure Park is closed until at least Easter this year. As the control and mopping up continue, it brings reminders of previous clean-up details, and associated heartbreak such as suffered in Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Auckland, and the far north this time last year, as well as previous Christchurch calamities.
During times like these people do dig deep, and help others, and it is so good to see that still happening. Staying positive in the face of adversity can be difficult, yet it creates new bonds, brings strangers closer together, and unites whole communities, towns and cities.
At the end of the day we are all stronger when we work together, and Cantabrians have shown they excel at that. Long may it continue.
