11 Feb 2021
A message from our President Colin Crampton, in light of the 10-year anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakes.
Kia ora koutou
Monday marks 10 years since the devastating 22 February Canterbury earthquake. I know we will all reflect on what happened that day, the lives that were lost and the ripple effects that continue to touch many people in many ways. My thoughts are especially with those who lost loved ones.
Many engineers’ lives, especially those in Christchurch, have been hugely shaped by that day. Engineers responded in the aftermath of Christchurch to rescue people, secure buildings and help the city recover. And as well as dealing with the earthquakes and their aftermath on a professional level, some engineers lost loved ones and many faced disruption at home. I want to acknowledge the strength and professionalism engineers have shown, along with dedication to Christchurch’s recovery and New Zealand’s wider resilience. We are sharing some of those stories today.
What we’ve learned from Christchurch has helped make all of New Zealand more resilient and better prepared. It’s shown how we can come together, as well as how difficult and drawn out recovery can be. 10 years on, as we commemorate what was lost, we can also acknowledge how far we have come, both as a country and as a profession.
Noho ora mai rā, nā
Colin
