Spring is Come

Images from Spring Show 2012, a combined event by the NZ Alpine Garden Society, the Christchurch Daffodil Circle, and the Canterbury Rhododendron Society.

Save Our Schools Rally

Images from Saturday's 3500 strong gathering to protest the Government's disastrous plans to close or merge Christchurch schools.

Wayne Hawker and Mike Coleman.

Signing the petition banner.

Yaldhurst Model School pupils.

Organiser Wayne Hawker interviewed.

Activist and academic Bronwyn Hayward.

A Yaldhurst School pupil addresses the crowd.

An emotional moment as a Greenpark School pupil describes the effect of the threatened closure.

Wigram MP Megan Woods.

Eugenie Sage of the Green Party.

Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene.

MC Mike Coleman with Christchurch City Councillor Yani Johanson.

Yalhurst pupils signing for a deaf classmate.

Contemplating a spell? The Wizard of Christchurch.

Organiser Wayne Hawker among the crowd.

A rousing finale with a vow to continue the fight.

Canterbury's Victorious Red Devils

Undeterred by earthquakes, Christchurch's Canterbury Red Devils last night concluded their season by taking the New Zealand Ice Hockey League Championship for the second time.

Based at Brougham Street's Alpine Ice Rink, the Devils are mainly local athletes with up to five international professionals.

Junior players wear the black uniform. 

Aspiring Red Devils start out as peewees. 

Christchurch player Chris Eaden, seen here in action against Queenstown's Southern Stampede, began his playing career as a peewee and rose through the Under 18s team to become one of the Red Devils' most accomplished local players. He hopes that the team's national championship achievements will provide opportunities for New Zealanders to become professional players

Young fans meet Red Devils international player Gabe Yeung of Minnesota.

Skates on display at the Alpine Rink.

The hockey puck just before things get hectic.

World record speed for a hockey puck is 191.5km/h.

Tickets for the game available here.

Assistant Captain Hamish Lewis prepares to suit up.

Team physiotherapist Ryan Hoetmer.

International player Valery Konev of Russia.

Cantabrian Jay Chadwick.

Stefan Speck about to take to the ice.

Hamish Lewis contemplates the upcoming game.

Get your Red Devils merchandise here.

Ready for an exciting game.

Canterbury Red Devils coach Anatoly Khorozov.

Red Devils support crew, with sponsors Jake Lane and Graham Tappin at right.

The Red Devils emerge.

On the ice ready for action.

The Red Devils' seriously equipped goalie.

Christchurch player Stefan Spijkerman in action.

Red Devils Captain Hayden Argyle under attack.

 Christchurch player Dale Harrop suffers an injury.

Team medic Ryan Hoetmer tends to the downed player.

Gabe Yeung vents his feelings at Queenstown's Southern Stampede players.

Enthusiastic Red Devils fans.

Posing for a victory shot.

Capping off a great season:
International player Maxim Fokin of Russia displays the Birgel Cup after the Canterbury Red Devils' Queenstown victory.