The Turning Point Has Arrived

The great work by the campaigners against Council CEO Tony Marryatt's payrise

delivers a stunning result as the Reverend Mike Coleman addresses a crowd estimated by police at around 4000 on the site of the former St Elmos Courts next to the City Council offices.

They're concerned Cantabrians . . . 

. . . and they've had enough!
(And not just because the soundman had been warming them up with Twisted Sister).

Telling it like it is: The C-words. 

Transparency's what Mayor Bob promised, opacity's what we got.

Signs of the public mood.

Orange zone residents advocate Darla Hutt.

Like post-quake housing, seating is scarce. Affordable housing advocate Hugh Pavletich appears to have found a metaphor for Christchurch's property shortage.

A guest speaker addresses the crowd as protest organiser Peter Lynch looks on.

An obliging primate fills in for missing Council CEO Tony Marryatt.

The Wizard of Christchurch makes a welcome appearance.

They work for us: City Council staff peer from the battlements.

Media scrutiny: A handy vantage point from right next door.

Mike Coleman in action.

Guest speaker, Mike Coleman, sound supremo Nick Lynch at the panel, and Peter Lynch.

Hugh Pavletich addresses the crowd on the Council's failure to deal with the housing crisis in post-quake Christchurch.

Mike Coleman with Christchurch firefighter Kelvin Hampton.

Kelvin Hampton describes the life-threatening earthquake rescue experiences 

that he and his firefighter colleagues have experienced. 

Council CEO Tony Marryatt's salary increase is more than firefighters like Kelvin would earn in a year.

The Wizard  promises to return to his once and future domain in the Square.

Where's Aaron?

A selection of Councillors who voted against CEO Marryatt's obscene salary increase mingle with the crowd, while the hapless Mayor Parker stooge Aaron Keown (in orange 'Parker' vest) lurks in the background. 

From left to right, Councillors Yani Johanson (in red shirt), Tim Carter, Helen Broughton, and Jimmy Chen.

The audience endorse the list of demands contained in Peter Lynch's letter.

Peter Lynch passes through the crowd on his way to deliver the letter to Council.

Santa Takes a Different Route

With Santa's traditional parade route still inside the cordoned off CBD, Riccarton Road became Main Street Christchurch for the 65th anniversary event. 

The parade lines up in Wharenui Road, just around the corner from the main route.

A word from their sponsors. A big emphasis on construction and demolition this year.

Behind the scenes, the Christmas fairy receives her finishing touch.

Alice in Wonderland playing cards and others await their call.

Real clowns ready for action.

Solo scooter clown.

Backstage with the Chinese Taniwha.

No risk of Santa running out of dragons this year.

Cheerleaders by the truckload.

 The mighty sleigh under way.

Santa and his team of fairies.

The snow machine in action.

Bicycle business: Seriously vintage cycles.

Flower ladies, chickens, and a Santa impersonator.

BMX daredevils and trusting volunteers.

Real metal music?

Proudly representing Scotland and Scottishness.

The Falun Dafa marching band.

Peony drummers.

Taiwan comes to Christchurch

Not easy to round up at this time of year?
A few crowd-pleasing Crusaders, complete with cheer squad.

Darth Vader and associates.

Parasols and frocks - the Pinoy (Philippines) contingent. 

Smaller parasols and fan dancers - Christchurch Thais supporting Santa.

Representing Christchurch's Cambodian community.

Christchurch Koreans for Santa.

Daffodils from Holland?

The kimono kids win the hearts of the crowd.

TV Star Erin Simpson

Faces from the audience along Riccarton Road.

Elephant beauties - howdah you do.

The elves seem to get bigger every year.

Driving Mr Humpty.

Jack fells the beanstalk once again.

Little Pocahontas.

Equestrian piracy - a big hit with the crowd.

Afloat on Riccarton Road.

Staffordshire terrier cosplay.

Working dogs receive the acclaim of the crowd.

The Wizard of New Zealand makes a surprise appearance from inside the haunted house, renamed munted house in acknowledgement of the earthquakes.