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:looking beyond disaster The women behind the Christchurch rebuild On 22 February 2011, the lives of the residents of Christchurch and abroad were changed forever. Now nearly two years on, the city is moving forward towards a better, brighter metropolis. We profile eight outstanding women who have dedicated the last 22 months to not only rebuilding the city but the lives of the people who depend on it. Bronwen Horton Project Manager and Founder of NZ Business Women���s Network, London Bronwen Horton took six months off work and helped organise over 30 events around the UK which collectively raised $3 million. In the week following��22��February,��she helped organise the�� prayer�� vigil at Westminster Cathedral, London which brought together over 5000 Kiwis in London. Where were you on 22 February, 2011? At home in London, about to head to bed. We stayed up all night following breaking news on Facebook and Twitter... terrified for family and friends��� safety. How are you ensuring the rebuild will create an improved Christchurch? It���s not only fundraising but also raising the continued awareness of what our friends and family are still going through back home. In your opinion, what, if any, benefits have come about through this natural 14 | www.h e rmagaz i n e . c o. n z disaster? From what I���ve�� experienced�� it���s brought a community together. Not just the��physical��city and those living there but a worldwide community of former Cantabrians, New Zealanders and those who love our country. From afar I���ve also seen amazing resilience from those who are still living there which I know will help rebuild the city in the future.�� Nicky Wagner Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central On 22 February, 2011 Nicky Wagner, like other Christchurch MPs sat in Parliament in Wellington. After news of the quake, many residents wanted to get out of Christchurch while she just wanted to get back there as quickly as she could. Fear quickly set in for what she would face on her return as her (building industry) husband said right at the outset he feared few buildings could survive that massive amount of shaking and the acceleration. What have you personally done to aid the Christchurch rebuild? Immediately after the earthquake my work was mostly to make sure the emergency services and the government were responding to the needs of local people. Living in the centre city, I was very aware of the needs of my neighbours and spent many hours working in other neighbourhoods with the Student and Farmy Armies, clearing silt, delivering water and food, and door knocking to ensure no-one was forgotten. It was inspirational to work alongside Sam Johnson and be part of bringing so many students and young people together from across the city to create the now world-known Student Volunteer Army. I am the government representative on the Red Cross Commission which is managing over $100,000 of donated funds. The first emergency grants were crucial for people without power, water or sewerage, and the fund has provided on-going support to victims��� families and help to those severely injured. As we moved from rescue to recovery and on to rebuild, my work changed and I spent time helping re-establish businesses and organisations, dealing with EQC claims and insurance issues. One of the highlights has been the reestablishment of the Court Theatre. The original in the Arts Centre was destroyed, but they were determined to rebuild as soon as possible. Everyone came together and they achieved the impossible, a new theatre in Addington which opened in December 2011 and is considered a fantastic example of creative thinking and rebuilding. Another high point was the opening of the AMI temporary Stadium, which was built within 100 days, to provide a home for the Crusaders. When the Crusaders��� music played and the horses galloped into the stadium there wasn���t a dry eye in the house. As time went on, I was very aware that the faces we were seeing in the media in regard to the rescue, recovery and rebuild