
Newell, J.; Beaven, S.; Johnston, D.M. 2012 Population movements following the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquakes : summary of research workshops November 2011 and current evidence. Lower Hutt, NZ: GNS Science. GNS Science miscellaneous series 44 23 p.
Abstract: The widespread impacts of the earthquake series affecting the greater Christchurch region over 2010-2011 constituted a disaster on a scale rarely seen in New Zealand. These events created new challenges for those who, in local and national government agencies, the private sector, and elsewhere, rely on forecasting to anticipate and plan for future economic and resourcing needs based on population and economic trends. In the earthquakes’ aftermath, new drivers, uncertainties and unknowns put existing forecasts in question. Attempts to identify and analyse existing and possible new sources of data to improve understanding of potential population changes and other impacts of the events began with the establishment of the ‘Canterbury Earthquakes’ portal on the Statistics NZ website. Later that year, in November 2011, a selection of evidence to date of immediate flight and return, permanent population loss, and the implications for future trends was presented and discussed at a workshop, and two subsequent conferences. The workshop, entitled “Population and Employment Effects of the Christchurch Earthquakes” (Lincoln University, 23rd November, 2011) preceded the NZ Association of Impact Assessment’s biannual conference, entitled “Natural Disasters: Impact Assessment for Sustainable Recovery” (Lincoln University, 24-25th November, 2011). Three days later, the Population Association of New Zealand held their biannual event, entitled “New Zealand’s Demographic Futures: Where to from here?” (University of Auckland, 28-29 November, 2011). This report summarises some of the relevant work presented at these three events (auth)