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New Zealand Tourism News Page 13

New Zealand moves to reassure visitors

New Zealand moves to reassure visitors

Tourism New Zealand has moved to reassure visitors the country remains open for business following an earthquake in the city of Christchurch in late February. As many as 160 people are thought to have died in the incident, with thousands of buildings set to be demolished after being deemed unsafe.

Christchurch tourism returning following earthquake

Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region of New Zealand are beginning to return to normal following a decision by the National Crisis Management Centre to lift restrictions on all but essential travel to the city. Tourists had been urged to leave following a devastating earthquake in late February, with more than 100 residents feared dead.

Rugby World Cup will go ahead in New Zealand

Rugby World Cup will go ahead in New Zealand

Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden has said that all World Cup matches will take place in the country, despite the devastating earthquake in Christchurch. Although the host stadium escaped damaged from the country’s worst disaster in 80 years, much of the city’s infrastructure needed to support the tournament has been badly damaged, including hotels and roads.

New Zealand quake caused by new faultline

The devastating Christchurch earthquake was caused by a new fault line in the Earth’s crust that seismologists were previously unaware of. The discovery comes as the death toll rise to 75 with more than 300 people still missing. A national state of emergency has been declared by Prime Minister John Key, who described the situation as “New Zealand’s darkest day”.