Life inside the Christchurch red zone

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Life inside the Christchurch red zone

3News NZ

Gerie Potter

Gerie Potter

Christchurch's suburban red zone is slowly emptying of residents, but for many it is still a place to call home.

The Government has declared red zone land uneconomic to repair, and wants everyone out next year.

Those still living in the red zone have varied reasons for remaining. Some are still battling insurers, others don't agree with the zoning. Others are there simply because their homes are liveable and housing options elsewhere are limited.

Gerie Potter rents in the red zone and knows he has to be gone in six months. All he wants is to safely live out his lease in peace.

Watch the report from Jendy Harper.

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Comments

24/10/2012 7:14:47 p.m.

Janine wrote:

I'm not adverse to funds being put into community groups but first and foremost I expected my donations to go toward taking care of the residents basic needs - food, warmth and shelter. Noone and I mean noone, esp 1.5 years after the fact should be living without their basic needs being taken care of. That is not an option to me. My employer matched some of my donations $ for $. Double bang for my buck - how could I resist? I cringe at the thought of not every single doubled dollar not going out to the people

23/10/2012 8:50:52 p.m.

LILLETH wrote:

This story was about showing empathy and compassion for those still residing in areas which are being demolished. There is nothing wrong in showing the truth about an individual's reality and, in doing so, encourages others to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone. This can only be a healing process in tough times.

23/10/2012 8:20:48 p.m.

Kelvin wrote:

One would have thought that if the MoE was intent upon following Hekia's plan that they would have the numbers right by now! Maybe they are not so keen on the plans either?

23/10/2012 7:34:30 p.m.

Glenda wrote:

I was just watching campbell live and the story of the homeless family. I have a big house in Auckland with 2 spare rooms and a spare 2nd lounge. this lovely couple deserve a break they are most welcome to come stay with my family for as long as need be.

23/10/2012 2:53:23 p.m.

fed up wrote:

we too are a split street - but on the green side. When are the insurance complanies going to get off their butts and knock down the empty houses across teh road before more get tagged, vandalised, or set alight. How can CERA give the red zone people a date of April 2013 to vacate but NOT give the insurance companies a date that they need to get them all down by.. All I can see is the same shite for another 5yrs c'mon get a move on - we all need closure.. We didn't make our side of the street green.

22/10/2012 9:46:14 a.m.

2 red wrote:

Jason, You dont watch this programe Yea Right, We live with this every day, Because some clown deemed half our street green, Yip, smack bang in the middle of it all.so whats your words of wisdom for us??? with trucks, bulldozers etc, rumbling down our streets all day ripping down the lucky Red that got to leave,Nobody wants to live in all this through choice,But with rentals going sky high because of greedy landlords and property managers,there is nowhere to go for some people, Luckly we are at work when these homes come down, so we get away from the work being done, but everything in our house moves, and more bigger cracks appear. Until you have lived in here,Or waited 2 years for some help,Please keep your comments to yourself.

21/10/2012 11:14:24 a.m.

Kelli wrote:

I'm with Gerie Potter. You should stay there until you no longer can. They seem to be able to pull down buildings and raze the land pretty quickly, but they don't seem to be able to sort out insurance problems or affordable housing for the displaced with the same efficiency. Leave the Gerie's of this town alone!!!!

20/10/2012 12:40:31 p.m.

Lee wrote:

To Jason: Why don't go go and buy Geri a pint and have a chat with him about his life's journey, you will see that his travelled very far and overcome many hardships. That house and the neighbourhood that he lives in, he is fiercely proud of and it is where he has his roots in... His just a bloke that's found HIS PLACE and wants to spend as much time there as he can, before he is forced to move on yet again... Just my 2cents but then again he IS my uncle, so I know exactly how he feels and I make his arguments to be right, as if I was in his position I'd feel exactly the same... Hi Archie Xxx Lee

20/10/2012 11:37:35 a.m.

Oliver wrote:

Unfortunately they can't just halt the process of red zone demolition because people are still living in the area. Even post-February our house was shaking with the neighbors having pipework done down their driveway. It has to be done or there won't be a timely rebuild. Although as was mentioned in this story, the demolition crews should take some precautions to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.

20/10/2012 10:30:36 a.m.

Archie wrote:

such empathy.Your attitude matches your ability to spell.