Kiwis and Aussies first to help out
09 Sep 2010
With Christchurch and the Canterbury region still reeling from last Saturday’s major earthquake, it’s heartening to hear that New Zealand and Australia have just shared first place in an international survey of charitable acts.
According to the survey, undertaken by British-based Charities Foundation, Kiwis and Australians are the first in the world to put up their hands and dig in their pockets when it comes to helping out the less fortunate.
The first-of-its kind survey ranked 153 nations on the willingness of their citizens to donate time and money to charity.
Charitable behaviour survey
The report showed huge variations in charitable behaviour around the world.
Overall rankings were based on three categories - the percentage of people who donated money, donated time and helped a stranger in the month prior to being surveyed.
New Zealand and Australia topped the index with an average score of 57%, with Canada and Ireland at 56%, and the United States and Switzerland at 55%.
Some of the world's most populous countries - including India, Russia and China - were near the bottom of the index. Madagascar took the last place.
The report was based on data gathered by the Gallup WorldView World Poll - an ongoing research project carried out in 153 countries, accounting for 95% of the world's population.
Earthquake relief funds
Meanwhile in New Zealand, earthquake-stricken Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region is now on the receiving end with offers of help flowing in from all over the country and overseas.
Several disaster relief funds have been established by organisations such as the New Zealand Red Cross and Salvation Army, and cash donations are flowing in from individuals, organisations and businesses - including several million-dollar and other substantial gifts from large companies.
Social networking sites have also been busy coordinating relief efforts and offers of help. A student Facebook site was one of the first on the job, bringing together student volunteers to go out and help residents clean up their homes.
The builderscrack.co.nz website is matching up quake-affected building owners with qualified tradespeople in the hope of speeding up repair work. To date Builderscrack and Christchurch City Council have had over 50 expressions of interest in helping out from New Zealand and Australian tradesmen.
Local acts of kindness
Since the earthquake struck early on Saturday morning, there have been many heart-warming stories of Cantabrians helping each other out - checking on neighbours, providing food and shelter for strangers, and getting together to help victims clean up homes and businesses.
Some of Christchurch’s tourism operators are among local organisations and businesses doing their bit to help their fellow Cantabrians pick themselves up.
Yesterday, the International Antarctic Centre - a world famous attraction renowned for its penguins and interactive experiences - ran shuttle buses between the tourist attraction and two suburban emergency accommodation centres. Today there is free entry for everyone.
About 80 people spent the day at the centre enjoying the diverse attractions.
Marketing manager Wendy Cowan said the International Antarctic Centre wanted to reflect "the spirit of Cantabrians - facing adversity and caring for each other".
Many of those who had accepted the offer no longer had homes to go to and "were still reeling from the effects of the earthquake," she said.
"We all just need to pull each other through this, we will survive ... and our city is still the best city in the world to live in!"
From today and until schools reopen, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is offering free entry to children, with a special invitation to feed and talk to the animals.
"Our animals are fine, but they too know that something has happened and they will also enjoy the company right now," Willowbank marketing manager Jo Moore said.
"We have been very fortunate here and have largely escaped any damage or loss, in fact it is quite a haven and very soothing."
More information
Christchurch earthquake aftermath
Christchurch earthquake update
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