Fuck Yeah Kiwi Kiwi!

February 22nd, One Year On

I wish to extend all of my love to Canterbury today and those of us who have wandered afar. A big thank you too to the rest of New Zealand for your support and the countries that sent us aid when we needed it.

My highest praise goes to those who risked their lives rescuing the injured and trapped. They were often ordinary men and women. I praise too the people who worked long and hard hours keeping the city running in the hours and days following the earthquake: the people who fixed the roads, the orderlies at the hospital, the people who reconnected the power, the sewage, and the water. To everyone: thank-you.

It’s been a year and it has only gotten a little easier. We have loved ones who will never return home so on this day we must grieve and support one another.

It will take a long time to rebuild but it is possible. We must work together.
We must continue to raise awareness of the struggles that members of our community face or else they will be forgotten. We need to find solutions.

If you are struggling, if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, or perhaps you are grieving - please seek help.

Kia kaha.
I love you.

- Alicia