Okay this is my first ever blog and I know it should be something about how to get a cheap flight through Grab-a-seat or what are the best seats on an Jetstar flight but bigger things have come to pass for my first blog.

Okay disclosures first - I am from Christchurch and have lived here since the February 22nd earthquake and have no intention of moving. I have a red sticker on my house (That means dangerous “No Entry”) and my office is in the red zone (an area in the CBD that is strictly off limits due to the danger of building collapsing) but I am here to stay because this city and region has been good to me and it is still very beautiful, even between the cracks.

Sure you can’t meander through the city admiring the punts on the river, have a postcard snap taken in front of the Cathedral or enjoy a busker performing in the square but many of the people are still here and when you travel is it not for the special memories of the people you meet and the stories they tell you?

Well if anyone has a story to tell its the citizens of Christchurch, everyone has one and many are happy to share. If you take the time to visit the city on your travels even for a day you will learn a whole lot more about New Zealanders and their character.

Its true Christchurch is not like it was but it is still damn interesting. I do not want to promote disaster tourism or put pressure on my city’s infrastructure but I do not see harm in visitors coming to see for themselves what we are going through. To be honest by the time you get here we will be well on the road to making something very special…starting a city over again is a rare opportunity. You could watch history in the making!

Can we fix it? – Yes we sure well bloody can!

I have meet a few people from out of Christchurch who are either visiting or to help rebuild this city and all are amazed at the scale of what has happened and secondly how people are innovative and resilient they are.

For example, not having sewage for some time has meant a competitive environment has developed on who can make the best toilet in their backyard…so much so that a website has been set up dedicated to these creative structures called Show Us Your Longdrop.

Not every visitor will get to enjoy this experience but here are 10 things I can recommend you do when in Christchurch that will enrich your visit and give hope to locals that we are not being ignored by the rest of the world.

Top 10 Post Earthquake Christchurch Experiences

1 - The drive from the airport to the city is untouched and very hard to believe anything has happened so enjoy it and perhaps stop at Hagley park to get a feel for how Christchurch should be.

2 - Have a coffee with locals in one of the many pop-up cafe’s or farmers markets  Look for signs and then listen to their stories.

3- Walk down Rolleston Ave past the Art Centre and Museum for views of the old Cathedral (from a distance) and onto the spectacular Botanical Gardens.

4 – Drive to Scarborough and look at the view across the beach, over the city to the Alps.

5 – Use a Port-a-Loo (they are on many street corners) for an experience of daily living.

6 – Offer to help dig out some silt from someone’s drive way, you might get a cup of tea and a chance to use their “Longdrop” plus it feels good to help.

7- Go check out some of the great activities that are just on the fringe of Christchurch and totally unaffected like Orana Park or the Air Force Museum. To see the full list of whats on go here.

8 -Buy lunch from the haphazard but plentiful cafe’s that are still open around the city….they will appreciate your business.

9 -Imagine what you would do if you could start fresh with a city. We would value your ideas and inspiration from around the world to make this city great again.

10 – Plan to come visit us again in a few years to experience what few have…a city re-birthed… better, greener, smarter and a pleasure to stay in.

I want to thank everyone who has helped with the Blog4NZ and also the many contributions of donations as well as help from the global community we live in. It is a humbling experience to live through this and see the world supporting us.

Much Aroha (Love)

Kia Kaha (Be Strong) to my fellow Cantabrians