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.

2012 United Voices

The organisers promised "no long speeches, no gimmicks, just united voices". While the issues of Government and insurance company inaction that brought people out to protest were nothing to celebrate, the mood of upbeat determination lit up the overcast afternoon. 

Gathering in North Hagley Park.

The march sets off along the Avon riverbank for Cranmer Square.

Not a sunny start to spring, but the mood is determined.

Gathering at Cranmer Square.

Olly Ohlson speaks for the the quake-damaged residents of Brooklands.

Deborah Crittenden describes how her insurance company continues to insist that her ruined Lyttelton home has merely suffered "cosmetic damage".

Selwyn resident Geoff Marks draws on his engineering skills to reveal the cynical practices employed in earthquake damage assessments, while reminding the gathering that the Canterbury earthquakes affect a wider area than Christchurch city.

Chris Fulton reaffirms his determination to stay in Christchurch, a city he travelled half way around the world to make his home.

Protest organiser Darla Hutt in her high visibility hat.

True to his word, Jason Hutt keeps his speech short and to the point.

An upbeat and positive ending that left people asking "When's the next one?"

The Launching of the Eunice Brenda

After around twelve years of meticulous design and construction, Richard's labour of love the Eunice Brenda finally takes to the water. A sunny spring morning at Kaiapoi provided an auspicious start for the sailing career of the formidable motor cruiser as the dream that started with an engine back in 1975 was finally realised.

Final preparations in the Rangiora workshop:

At last the Eunice Brenda sets off for the water:

On the road to the Kaiapoi launch site:

The original Eunice Brenda on hand for the launch of her namesake:

The final touch, the fitting of the twin propellers:

A beautiful morning and a dream realised: