Christchurch has received a hammering with a violent earthquake today. There have been a great many people killed, and many hotels/hostels/backpackers/houses have been destroyed. The epicenter was only a few hundred meters from our house which has been severely damaged, and my bikes and workshop turned upside down. The good news is that all my family are safe and well.

If you need a man on the ground here to help someone, or as a point of contact, feel free to ask me. A private message or post here, as well as an email via my profile should get hold of me fairly quickly.

Regards

Nigel in Christchurch

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Nigel, I'm glad that you and yours are all OK. I've seen some video and it looks very serious. Lets hope they manage to rescue those that are trapped.

Keep us informed.

Good luck to all.

Hi Nigel
Good to hear you and the family are ok.
Hang in there,
Chris

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TBS.com

Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this tragedy. To all NZ'ers affected by the quake we hope that you are safe and well and we are thinking of you during this tragic event.

To anyone who has not been so lucky our sincerest of condolences.

Warm Regards,

Pascal & Arja

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

The images of the earthquake were aired as first news at national TV News also here in Italy.

Nigel, I am glad to know you and your family are doing fine and nobody among the people you love was hurted.

Sincere condolences to all those ones who lost their good ones, and a strong hug to all the people of New Zealand.

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

Chin up Nigel. Hope the rescue and recovery goes OK. Take care of your family and friends.

Additional specialist rescue teams from Australia, Japan and USA are already there, others on the way - about 700 people in total.

+ 1, All the best

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'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.

If you feel you can help out - pasted from the NZ Herald at Christchurch earthquake: How you can help - National - NZ Herald News

Donations
A Mayoral fund has been set up for donations to the citizens of Christchurch using the following BNZ bank account: 02-0800-084958-000.
Donations can be made to the Red Cross online or via the GrabOne website, as the Red Cross site has been crashing.
Donations can be made to the Salvation Army by calling 0800 53 00 00 (specify that your donation is for the 'Canterbury Earthquake Appeal') or at:
• Any ANZ Bank branch: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00
• Any National Bank branch: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00
• Any Westpac Bank branch: Account number 03-0207-0617331-00
• Any ASB Bank branch: Account number 12-3205-0146808n Key sa-00
• Any BNZ Bank branch: Account number 02-0500-0982004-000
• Any Kiwibank branch: Account number: 38-9009-0759479-00

Donations can be made to the Rotary New Zealand World Community Service here.
Across the Tasman, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is also accepting donations for the New Zealand Red Cross.
The Christchurch SPCA has opened a Pet Emergency Earthquake Fund. You can donate money here or to the Westpac account 030802 0586429 00.
Paw Justice is sending food shipments to pets in Christchurch affected by the earthquake. Text "FOOD" to 4662 to donate $3.
Vodafone users can donate to the Red Alert Canterbury Earthquake Appeal by texting "Quake" to 333 to make a $3 donation to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is warning people about an email scam, which uses Christchurch's earthquake as an opportunity to prey on the good will of New Zealanders.
Scam warning
Ministry watchdog Scamwatch said it had already received reports of emails sent from 'James McCoy', who claims to be from 'Donate4Charity NZ'.
It suggests the recipient can be the New Zealand manager of the bogus charity in return for a 10 percent cut.
The ministry said giveaway signs of an email scam include a generic email address, poor grammar and spelling, and an offer of a cut for accepting money.
- NZ HERALD STAFF / NZPA

If I wasn't so old and cynical I'd be shocked, but I've learned there is no event so tragic that someone, somewhere won't use it as a way to scam themselves some benefit (not always just money).

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I have been following this all day. Luckily you went unscathed. Your trans tasmanian brothers and sisters, will help as much as they can. Family is irreplaceable,bikes and sheds are, it will become good again.

Cheers

Helgo

Hi Nigel,

How's it going for you and you're family? Were you affected at all?

If I remember correctly you're not in Chch but up around Waipara?

Tragic mess - am just glad all my friends and family have come through OK although my Aunt lost her Japaness boarder in the CTV building.

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Rich
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/richardandlisa
www.youtube.com/richparkie

Hi, I feel as if it was a real tragedy that happened with you but as you said that there has happened no harm to your family and friends is really thankful to the almighty. Hope you all are good.