Christchurch is a Coastal City

Christchurch is the regional capital of Canterbury, New Zealand. It is the largest city in the South Island, as well as the second largest city and third largest urban area of New Zealand. A coastal city, it is situated just north of Banks Peninsula, midway down the South Islands eastern coast.

The city is named after the Christ Church cathedral, which is itself named after Christ Church, a college at the University of Oxford, and the Cathedral of Oxford. The city was originally known as Christ Church, the written form consolidating by the 1880s.

Much of the city being flat and only a few metres above sea level, spectacular views can be obtained from almost any high building. At low elevations the city may appear almost forested with only a few buildings visible, unlike a major city.

Breathtaking, awe inspiring, mind blowing scenery from majestic mountain peaks to the tussock covered Canterbury plains the Canterbury region, stretching from Kaikoura in the north to Waimate in the South, is a huge kaleidoscope of colour, variety and scenic excitement.

Galleries and museums, arts and crafts, culture and history, world championships and club games the variety is endless. Christchurch has a huge range of attractions and activities.

Something thrilling may include mountain biking, bungee jumping, skiing, snowboarding, jet skiing, white water rafting, skydiving, mountain climbing, paragliding and four wheel driving.

Something active may include walking, tramping, hiking, golfing, fishing, sightseeing, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, cruising, diving, horse trekking, motorcycling, kayaking and canoeing.

Something relaxing may include going down the river, star gazing, hot air ballooning, wildlife cruising, wining, dining, eco touring, soaking in the thermal pools and soaking up the culture.

Christchurch has a temperate climate, with maximum temperatures in January ranging from 15 to 25 and maximum temperatures in July ranging from 5 to 15. The summer climate is often moderated by a sea breeze from the northeast. A notable feature of the weather is a hot wind which is known to cause psychological problems such as raised suicide rates, and also occasionally reaches storm force, causing widespread damage to property.

In winter it is common for the temperature to fall below 0 at night. Snow falls occur on average once or twice a year in the hill suburbs and about once or twice every two years on the plain.

Christchurch smog has often exceeded World Health Organisation recommendations for air pollution.The city has funding available to upgrade domestic home heating systems, and in order to limit air pollution will likely ban some forms of fire based heating systems.

Whale Rider

A Movie Review

My view of the movie The Whale Rider is a very personal one. I am indeed giving it all the meaning it has for me. As a New Zealander living in the heart of America, the home of patriotism, I am going to indulge myself for a moment and put on my patriotic hat. The Whale Rider is pure New Zealand. If you are willing to let it in, and yes, it is very deep… you will recognize it is also pure Jesus. It’s so simple you could miss it, but then so is A Course In Miracles until you experience the purity of its message. They are one and the same.

Having lived on the ocean in New Zealand I have spent hours upon hours playing with the dolphins, admiring the regal Orcas, and just once I got to cradle a baby pilot whale for a whole evening as its’ entire pod of 100 whales beached near my home. I haven’t swum in the ocean with a whale but I have heard their call and witnessed their magnificence with my own eyes. Someone once told me that swimming with dolphins is like dancing with angels (believe me it is); swimming with a whale, they tell me, is like meeting God. I can say that having experienced the grace of God through my own awakening, I believe that this movie is a rare gift. It takes place in a small village on the eastern most point of New Zealand, the first place on earth to see the light of day, and its essence is my gift to you, just as it’s a gift to me, because it reflects my own awakening, and my own call to play my part as Savior of the world.

Keisha Castle-Hughes, the young 12 year-old Maori girl with who plays the part of Pai was discovered at a school audition. Her debut performance is breath taking. Her devastation is heart wrenching and her determination, perseverance, forgiveness and unshakeable trust in the communication she receives from the ‘whales’ (the Holy Spirit, her own Whole Mind) is nothing short of unconditional love. She is the Christ. She knows she IS the one. Her strength comes from within and she shines with an innocence that is irresistible. At the same time she demonstrates through her own individual responsibility the shear brilliance of the simplicity of the second coming of Christ, in each of us.

Pai stands up to her grandfather with all the intensity of St. Francis walking barefoot into the Vatican and challenging the Pope. In her grandfather Koro, I recognize my own righteousness in holding onto MY plan and my own unwillingness to recognize my Savior. Pai can see, but he is blind. She never gives up on him no matter how many times he pushes her away. She cannot NOT be herself. I shared with Koro the devastation of failure that we all try to avoid, because it is the end of ‘me’, the death of my ego. When he is ready to know the truth it is revealed to him. But only when he is ready. He is reborn through her.

The message for me is clear “don’t let the world tell you who you are”. As I listen to the voice for God; I stand in my own certainty of who I am. That is my declaration as Savior of the world. Like Pai, as I go home, I do indeed take everyone with me because having made my world I need only change my mind about the world, and everything goes home with me in my resurrection. A glorious ending inspires a new beginning.

I loved it. You will too. It’s now out on DVD.

Thanks, Sue Maybury