TV Series Explores Spirit & Future of East Christchurch

Press Release – for immediate release

22 September 2015

Television Series Explores Community Spirit & Future of East Christchurch

A 7-part television series that explores the issues and ideas for the flat land suburbs of east Christchurch devastated by the 2010/11 earthquakes, kicks off on CTV this Thursday.

“Eyes East” is a collaborative effort by Eastern Vision, CTV and Rebuild Christchurch that canvasses the values and proposed plans for east Christchurch and then provides an opportunity for viewers to provide feedback.

Evan Smith of Eastern Vision says that five years on from the earthquakes there have been few signs of recovery and limited opportunities for communities to have a say in the future of the area.

“Yet there is still a tremendous community spirit out east,” says Smith.

“There have been many ideas and visions for the recovery of the east that have come from the public and we are finally beginning to see some signs of recovery starting,” he says.

Presenter of the series Deon Swiggs of Rebuild Christchurch says with so much at stake, there’s only one chance to get it right.

“It’s really important that the discussion about the future of the east continues to gather momentum and includes as large a cross section of the community as possible to stimulate a sense of pride for the opportunity in the area and to influence decision-making,” he says.

The first episode, which screens on CTV on Thursday 24th October at 8.30pm, will discuss the impacts of the earthquakes on the east with personal accounts from those who were red zoned or left living on the edge of the green zone.

It also looks at Government’s intentions regarding the red zone lands and reviews two public consultations undertaken in 2014, the CERA consultation process on the Waimakariri Red Zone and the Eastern Vision EVO::SPACE consultation on ideas for east Christchurch.

Future episodes will look at community values and guiding principles, coastal New Brighton, the east as the aquatic playground of the city, making the most of the natural environment, community connections from city to the sea and the challenges and opportunities of an integrated plan.

“The eastern flat lands were some of the most heavily impacted by the 2010/11 earthquakes. I’d encourage all residents of greater Christchurch to watch the series and then have a say on the EVO::SPACE website http://evospace.co.nz/,” says Smith.

“The more feedback we receive, the stronger the case to make these ideas happen,” he says.

The 7-part 30-minute programmes will be broadcast on CTV on Thursday evenings at 8.30pm, starting 24 September, and then repeated on CTV 1pmon Fridays and 6.30pm on Sundays. It will also be available On Demand through Rebuild Christchurch after it’s been screened www.rebuildchristchurch.co.nz/videos/eyes-east

ENDS

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