Image by Cafe Cecil via Flickr

In The Guardian, Feb. 25, some of the pros and cons about rebuilding are examined. Two significant comments:

Andrew King, an engineer at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, said the city and its surroundings could be rebuilt in such a way that structures “can remain intact as the ground deforms around them”. The only question was whether the resources would be made available.

Gerry Brownlee, who has been appointed earthquake recovery minister, put on a brave face, rejecting suggestions that the cost of rebuilding could be economically crippling for the country. “New Zealand is one of the most insured countries in the world,” he said. “There is going to be a massive influx of capital into this country and this city.”

It is understandable that two major earthquakes, and perhaps thousands of smaller aftershocks, in the past 5 months have New Zealanders questioning a return to the city and wondering if they will be able to restore normalcy to their daily lives.

More on the economic costs and impacts, in the Christian Science Monitor.  This article estimates total damage at $12B.

Related Articles

• Christchurch exodus after quake (guardian.co.uk)