Confidence in Chch Recovery Dented By Aftershocks - Survey

Confidence in Christchurch Recovery Dented By Aftershocks - Survey

Twin aftershocks experienced by Christchurch on June 13 made a big dent in the residents’ confidence in the city’s recovery, a unique before-and-after survey by New Zealand research company UMR has found.1

Shortly prior to the aftershocks, 66% of Christchurch residents felt the city’s recovery was on the right track, while a follow up study just four days after the severe shakes, saw this figure dip to 53% of residents.

UMR New Zealand Research Director Gavin White said the survey shows an amazing resilience by Christchurch residents since the tragic events of 22 February this year, but also the threat to confidence posed by continuing aftershocks.

“The June 13 after-shocks really dented local confidence in the recovery and increased concerns about whether support from the rest of New Zealand would continue once Christchurch was no longer in the headlines,” Mr White said.

Following the aftershocks, residents were much more likely to expect another big earthquake within the next 12 months. This number surged from 51% to 71% of residents, while those who believe the aftershocks will subside took a dive from 31% to 12%.

At the same time, more residents re-considered their long term plans. Most Christchurch residents still expect to stay in the city, but this figure dipped from 87% to 81%. The most likely to leave are those aged 18-29 (21% intend to leave, and 7% unsure), people who rent their house (16% intend to leave and 11% unsure), as well as those on lower incomes.

The survey provided a snapshot of the housing challenges facing the city. 54% of residents reported some form of structural damage to their home (including 13% who rated this as severe structural damage).

Christchurch residents have not felt alone in their time of need. 90% reported they were satisfied with support from around New Zealand, though confidence that the support would continue once Christchurch was no longer in the headlines slid after the June 13 aftershakes (down from 69% to 43%).

Respondents were united in their praise of emergency services with the New Zealand Fire Service attracting a 95% approval rating and Police and Urban Search and Rescue 93% respectively.

Prior to June 13th almost half the residents had been unhappy with the decision by authorities to restrict access to the CBD. Following the aftershocks those who believed there should be more access dropped to 33% from 47%.

Although commitment to heritage buildings is still strong in the city (94% believing at least some or more of the heritage buildings should be restored and protected), an unmistakable 75% believe that overall the city should be ‘re-built with a new and more modern’ look.

Gavin White said that UMR had briefed a number of agencies working on the recovery and re-building of Christchurch with the findings of the research and hoped it would contribute to an understanding of the beliefs and feelings of local residents and particularly the impact of aftershocks, following an already severe and traumatic earthquake a few months earlier.

ChristchurchResidentsSurvey_UMRNZ.pdf

© Scoop Media