How the earthquakes madeus choose Christchurch over New York

our ability to evolve. February 22, 2011 – the day of the second major quake – was a game changer for our family. Our daughter walked (well ran) for the first time, and our world was turned upside down by the quake and all that came after. But, in the following days, we realised that what we had been yearning was right before our eyes. Rebuilding greater Christchurch was the opportunity we had been craving.

We discovered very quickly that it wasn’t always socially acceptable at first to voice this but our resolve and commitment has grown – and continues to do so. Despite a munted house, insurance battles, bumpy roads and earthquake stresses, we have increased our investment and roots here. We’ve launched a business, bought another, had another child, and are about to build a new home. We made the decision to walk the talk by strongly supporting local charities, leaders and groups that we believe are essential to Canterbury’s success. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of critiquing from the sidelines.

Our new city is innovative and vibrant with a loudly beating heart and wonderful asset-rich suburbs. It’s a city that thinks and competes globally while providing a lifestyle of which other cities dream – a place where people from all around the world come to visit to be inspired, to learn and to have fun.

Most important to us is that Christchurch is a place that our two girls will be proud to call home – where, if they choose, they can live and work as it offers both of them a fantastic lifestyle and rich opportunities.

It’s not New York, or Sydney, or London. The opportunities are different, I grant you, but nonetheless valid. In the past four years we’ve been surprised, excited and motivated by the influx of superbly talented people who have migrated or returned to Christchurch because of the opportunities the rebuild provides. Every day we come across more. They are an asset that we need to warmly embrace. They are highly skilled, most are calculated risk takers and are people who came here to make a difference. Our challenge is to keep them in Christchurch beyond the recovery. To this end we must develop and support our next generation of leaders. It will not be those in leadership roles today who will complete this regeneration process, but the emerging talent. I’m deeply concerned when I hear parents encouraging their children to quit Christchurch for study and work. We can’t understand this when we know first-hand of the career-enhancing/fast-tracking opportunities that are here for motivated and talented 20-somethings. I challenge you to:

Encourage young talent to study and work here now – not in a few years’ time.

Warmly embrace our earthquake migrants.

Continue to look forward and think big. Greater Christchurch’s ability to be amazing is only limited by our expectations.

Don’t just chip away from the sidelines. Roll up your sleeves.