HIC New Zealand

• Christchurch earthquake


  Earthquake that occurred in February 2011, measured 6.3 on the Richter scale
• The Christchurch earthquake is an example of an earthquake in a high-income country New Zealand
• Types of impacts and responses to be examined

  • Primary impacts
  • Secondary impacts
  • Short-term responses
  • Long-term responses
• Primary impacts


  • Most immediate and direct effects of the earthquake
• Secondary impacts


  • Indirect effects that occur after the earthquake
• Short-term responses


  • Immediate actions taken to address the impacts
• Long-term responses


  • Ongoing actions and programs to recover from the earthquake
• The Christchurch earthquake resulted in 180 fatalities, predominantly caused by building collapses
• Lancaster Park, Christchurch's major rugby stadium, was severely damaged
• Damage to Lancaster Park


  Significant loss of income due to inability to host World Cup rugby matches
• Damage and loss of income

  Christchurch population decreased by 10,000 people between 2010-2013, as people left due to fear of another earthquake or loss of livelihoods
• The death toll was lower in Christchurch compared to the Haiti earthquake, due to factors like better healthcare, building quality, and quicker response
• Short-term response: International aid

  • Christchurch received minimal international aid (around $7 million) as New Zealand was able to support itself as a high-income country, whereas Haiti required much larger international aid as a low-income country
• New Zealand repositioned satellites above Christchurch to identify damaged areas and direct emergency services
• The Red Cross provided temporary shelter for 200 people in Christchurch, suggesting most accommodation remained intact due to better building construction
• Long-term response: Electricity and water restoration


  • Electricity and water supplies were restored within 1 week in Christchurch
• Long-term response: Earthquake prediction system


  • New Zealand developed the GeoNet earthquake prediction system using government funding
• Long-term response: Damage assessment and zoning


  • Christchurch was divided into 4 zones, from safe to rebuild to exclusion areas, based on earthquake damage