Portacom City

The ripples the earthquake sent across the region and down the years continue to affect our lives, our livelihoods and endeavours.

On 4 September 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck 30 kilometres west of Christchurch. Half a year later, a 6.3 aftershock hit Christchurch, killing 185 people and causing widespread damage throughout the city. In November 2016, multiple faults ruptured near Kaikōura in a massive 7.8 earthquake.

Paul Gorman reported on the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes. In Portacom City he describes his own deeply personal story of working as a journalist during the quakes, while also speaking more broadly about the challenges that confront reporters at times of crisis.