From England to Detroit to Christchurch, New Zealand

The featured couple Mark and Vanessa.

This couple, originally from London, moved from Detroit to New Zealand.

Episode Synopsis

Mark and Vanessa are moving from Detroit, Michigan to Christchurch, New Zealand so that Mark can take on a new job opportunity.

The Effect of the Earthquakes on the Economy

Mark and Vanessa Facing Earthquakes

The homes that Mark and Vanessa were looking at (at valuations such as $570,000, $495,000, and $570,000) could not be compared to average real estate prices (as that data does not exist in New Zealand's census). One point highlighted in the episode, however, is the effect of recent earthquakes in Christchurch (part of Canterbury county, NZ) on realty prices. This is reflected in data released by New Zealand's census in 2013 which highlighted ever increasing prices in all of Canterbury (at a higher rate than the rest of New Zealand), decreases in the amount of housing available, and increasing crowding in homes. These made homes in Christchurch very expensive for the couple.

Considering Small and Large Maps

The local tourist map seen on the right shows significant locations marked out for downtown Christchurch. Whilst HGTV's depiction shows a lot of surrounding neighborhoods, the tourist map shows a very small portion. The airport for example is referred to in the local map with an arrow, whereas HGTV's representation is wide enough to show it on the outskirts of the city. Notable overlap between the maps is the botanical gardens being points of interest. Missing from the local map, and added to the map of HGTV are locations such as coffee culture Rolleston, New Brighton Pier, the Carboard Cathedral, Diamond Harbor, and Quail Island. All of these locations save for the cardboard cathedral belong to smaller towns around the urban center of downtown Christchurch.

Images of Christchurch

HGTV spends most of it's time with B-roll of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand in the beginning of the episode. This footage includes many images of the cold beaches, images of destruction and re-construction of buildings following the recent earthquakes in the area, and a look at the white chairs memorial. The 185 empty white chairs memorial is an apt choice for the show to choose because it shows the human loss of the recent earthquakes in Christchurch and it's effects on the locals. This shot is accompanied by Mark speaking about the occasion to his kids.

The show also includes many shots of land windsurfing which seemed very peculiar. No sources could be found that could confirm this as something typical for Christchurch.

Finally, the family also spends some time in the episode buying fish from a local vendor.

Footage of how New Zealand was portrayed was corrupted and could not be shown.

Works Cited

“Christchurch Retail Trade Indicator: June 2016 Quarter.” Home, New Zealand Government, archive.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/RetailTrade/ChristchurchRetailTradeIndicator_HOTPJun16qtr/Commentary.aspx.

This source was used for the graph it had explaining the rising price index in Christchurch, New Zealand following the earthquake.

Goodyear, Rosemary. Housing in Greater Christchurch after the Earthquakes. New Zealand Government, archive.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/browse-categories/people-and-communities/housing/housing-chch-after-earthquakes/housing-chch-after-earthquakes.pdf.

This pdf report of housing after earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand was used to explain rising prices.

offgridengineering, Posted by. “The Red Zone.” Offgrid Offline, 5 Mar. 2013, offgridengineering.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/the-red-zone/.

This source was used to obtain a map of Christchurch, New Zealand.

“2013 Census QuickStats about Greater Christchurch.” Home, New Zealand Government, archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-greater-chch/available-tables.aspx.

This census data was used to create an informed opinion of the demographics of the area.