Empty streets, damaged buildings and dust. More than a year after the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, the centre of the city is still full of rubble. The reconstruction effort is going to take at least a decade. Some Dutch expats are wondering if they should wait that long.
Stay
Marianne emigrated to Christchurch out of love. Her relationship has broken up, but she still lives in the city with her son, Luke. The houses behind hers are still seriously damaged and her own home was also affected by the quake. If Marianne had been on her own, she would have returned to the Netherlands, where she feels safe. But she's decided to stay. "I want to give Luke a sense of normality again," she says, "that he can keep on going to the same school and keep his friends."
Leave
Betsie and her family lost their home and are now living in temporary accommodation. They've decided to leave Christchurch. "The kids in our street have all left, the school is almost deserted. We can build a new life 20 kilometres away from Christchurch, where the children can play in the street."
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