New Zealand WHV holder starts Christchurch campaign

by Dominic - 21/01/2013 11:45:00

Christchurch is still recovering
from the earthquake 2 years ago.

A New Zealand Working Holiday Visa holder has started a campaign aimed at bringing smiles back to Christchurch after the devastating earthquake in 2011 which ruined large parts of the city and cost 185 lives.

The 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island on 22 February, 2011. The earthquake razed significant parts of the country's second biggest city and triggered a mass exodus of people leaving to find work elsewhere.

The city is still to be fully rebuilt after the devastating effects and many Christchurch employers have struggled to find the necessary labour to contribute in the work.

All in all, Christchurch residents have had few reasons to smile.

But working holiday maker Terry Chung is hoping to change all that with his own personal project Smile for Christchurch.

Terry has been in New Zealand on his working holiday from Taiwan since March last year, he has taken pictures from 14 different cities around the country but feels his work in Christchurch is the most important after seeing so many sad faces around the once joyous city.

"I decided to collect smiles for the city," said Terry. "I hope it can bring some happiness."

Terry has been spending his days off from work taking photos of passersby he asks to smile while he busks with his ukulele in the city centre.

He has collected over 700 pictures so far but hopes to reach 1,000 when he will try to set up an exhibition in the city.

You can view Terry's pictures on his Facebook page.


- Dominic Ladden-Powell is Online Editor with the New Zealand Visa Bureau, an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a Working Holiday Visa to New Zealand.

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

What to do in the New Year in New Zealand

by Dominic - 03/01/2013 16:47:00

New Zealand is once again riding high on the back of Peter Jackson's hard work; The Hobbit is number one at the box office and everyone everywhere is fantasising about a trip to Middle Earth.

January is one of the best times of the year in New Zealand, the sun is out, the temperatures are high and the beaches, mountains, hills and other breathtaking landscapes are all screaming come on in/up/down, the water/weather/wine is fine.

If you're in NZ this month, here's some of the best things to do and see.

David Ferrer, twice defending
champion at the Heineken Open.

Tennis - Auckland - 7th to the 12th

In New Zealand's biggest men's tennis events, some of the game's biggest names and biggest hitters descend on Auckland to get their eye in in one of the final warm up events before the Australian Open kicks off in Melbourne.

World No. 5 David Ferrer returns to The Heineken Open as the defending champion for the second year in a row but German duo Philipp Kohlschreiber and Tommy Haas stand in his way.

See food and eat it - Auckland - 26th to the 28th

While you might be full to bursting after the Christmas period, by the end of the month you might be starting to feel a bit peckish again.

And what better way to sate that hunger than with some of the best sea food the world has to offer in one of the most idyllic harbours in the world?

The Auckland Seafood Festival does just that when dozens upon dozens of chefs and caterers as well as musicians, beer brewers and wineries congregate in Halsey Wharf to offer up a delectable delight.

Music, in Parks - Auckland - Various dates

While the Music in Parks festival may not be the most imaginatively titled of music festivals, that doesn't mean it won't be worth seeing. With gigs and shows all over the place and every weekend this month, you'd be hard pressed to not to find something you’ll like.

Alright mate, just go home

More music in more parks - Christchurch - 17th to the 27th

Busking isn't respected very often, after all there's less quality control dictating who can stand on a street corner trying to get a tune out of a dying cat than there is on your average Simon Cowell-produced Victorian freak show.

However, once a year the city of Christchurch decides to just that. The World Buskers Festival returns for its 20th year this year featuring a plethora of international acts showing the best street skills (no pick pocketing or knife crime) on offer.

Laneway Festival - Auckland - 28th

At the end of the month sees one of the most popular new festivals stop off in Auckland.

The Laneway Festival is a multi-national tour which features some of the biggest names in new music including Alt J and Bat for Lashes.

Tickets sell out quick so get yours fast.

Luminate Festival - Canaan Downs - 30th

The Luminate Festival is not your average festival. Sure it might have plenty of bands and acts on stage to entertain you while you drink yourself into a stupor but there is also a great focus on celebration and sustainability.

Celebrated on the date of an ancient summer festival, Luminate Festival is ideal for those who want a little more than mudstained hangovers and nightmarish recollections from their festival experience.


- Dominic Ladden-Powell is Online Editor with the New Zealand Visa Bureau, an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a Working Holiday Visa to New Zealand.

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

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