Butterflies to cheer Canterbury

Monarch butterflies are flying to Christchurch from all over the country in time for the 22 February commemoration of the 2011 earthquake.

“We asked ourselves what we could do to help the recovery effort and knowing how much Christchurch people love their gardens–and Monarch butterflies–we thought a butterfly release would give people renewed hope in tomorrow,” said spokesperson Jacqui Knight. “Christchurch has always been a beautiful city with well laid out parks and gardens, and can be once more. It’s so important to focus on tomorrow.”

Clemency Mutze, who survived a five-storey fall in the CTV Building and is still recovering from her injuries, found that Monarch butterflies helped in her recovery.

“They gave me renewed hope in the future,” she said. “Each day as I watched the metamorphosis I realised that I was undergoing my own metamorphosis. It played a major part in my healing.”

“I learned to appreciate the beauty in the process. Once I wouldn’t have had the time or understanding.”

New Brighton resident Mary Lyall, whose home has been badly affected, is thrilled that the Trust is bringing butterflies to Christchurch.

“It is really great that you are doing this for our city,” she said in a letter to the trust. “We really need to have our spirits lifted and these butterflies do that.”

As usual Monarch populations have fluctuated from suburb to suburb. The Trust invited their members to contribute newly emerged Monarchs from their own gardens to be released at the service, to ensure that 185 Monarchs represented everyone who had lost their lives.

Monarch butterflies have been an attraction in Christchurch in earlier years. Soon after the trust was formed they were at the Festival of Flowers & Romance. This year’s display is also at the Canterbury Museum–and will be followed by a special interactive display for children at the Ellerslie International Flower Show.

“We are looking forward to being in Christchurch,” said Norm Twigge, Chairman. “It’s the least we can do.”

More information and photos on our website, www.monarch.org.nz

ENDS

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