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Brent Esler, CEO
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Black February
The events of 22 February in Christchurch have dominated everyone’s time and thoughts for the past six weeks. Hopes of a year free of the disasters that plagued us in 2010, were dashed and replaced with a disaster of unprecedented scale.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to all those who have suffered such huge and incomprehensible losses in this most recent earthquake.
CRT can only be thankful – none of our staff were killed or injured, nor were any immediate family members. We have many stories of lucky escapes – but of course there are many other stories at the other end of that spectrum. With no CRT business activity in the Christchurch CBD area, we have been largely unaffected. Four or five days of trading were lost at our store in Hornby and at the Feed Barn at Yaldhurst, but minor breakages were the only damage.
Our office at Burnside suffered significant but non-structural damage, and reinstatement was due to be completed at the end of last month. Some further damage was suffered at our Rolleston feed mill.
Fortunately this quake, unlike that of 4 September, had minimal impact on rural properties and our business and that of our shareholders, has not been widely or significantly impacted. Many of course, including people on our staff, have suffered major property damage, and several have family members whose livelihood has been threatened by this catastrophic event - this will impact for years in numerous cases.
CRT provided assistance to the Federated Farmers initiatives in helping the Christchurch clean-up, and we are currently working on another programme to assist with the ongoing recovery.
Perhaps the greatest positive to take from this devastating event is the spirit of people that has been displayed during this time of great need. It showed that New Zealanders still live in a country that is small enough and caring enough, to unite and rally to support the community following a major event like this. It also clearly revealed to us all the large extended family of expatriots and previous visitors to New Zealand whose support we have benefited so much from.
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