Caption: Come Together Stories of ordinary kiwis during extraordinary times.
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Caption: Created to open conversations for healing, and to connect communities for times of adversity.
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Caption: It began two-past-midnight, Monday 14th November 2016.
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Caption: Over a period of 5 days, more than 2000 individuals came together to share food and care with neighbouring rural communities devastated and isolated by one of the biggest earthquakes in NZ.
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Caption: This is a book about their struggles and strength, and the power of communities when ordinary people join hands in a common cause that is greater than themselves.
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Caption: All proceeds from book sales goes toward initiatives and projects led by Miss Lilly's Angel Trust;
to grow connected, strong and resilient kiwi communities.
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Caption: Suz & Mike
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Caption: “The police knocked on the door at about 7am and I was just sitting here like a stunned mullet in my dressing gown looking fabulous obviously. I actually remember saying to them, "There's no guessing why you're here”.
They asked if Mike was there and I said "No, he's not. He's on his way to Kaikoura".
They looked at me and said "Well, he won't get far" ,and I said last time I spoke to him he was at the top of the Hunderlies."
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Caption: So, they asked me who I was, I had to identify myself.
And they said "unfortunately one hasn't made it". I was shocked as I thought we had lost them all.
They told me it was Mike's Dad who had passed and in that moment my heart felt heavy.
I tried to ring Mike probably ten times but we couldn't get through.”
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Caption: “It was like being rich and having all these cars at your disposal.
We had about 15, I think, parked out the back but it was really good because in the end there was quite a few family there,
and it meant that because there was no fuel we didn't have to worry about getting into the hospital to see Mum and Nana."
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Caption: "We were in the midst of a terrible tragedy but we were shown the gift of kindness...
We need to make sure that we pass that on to other people because it's actually the kindness that got us through the deepest darkest hell.
Out of adversity comes strength and courage and that's what we have to take out of this."
Caption: Suz's Go-to Recipe
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Caption: ROAST CHICKEN WITH LEMON, THYME AND GARLIC serves 6
Caption: 1 x 1.6kg chicken
3 lemons
a good handful of fresh thyme
2-3 Tbsp garlic infused olive oil
1/3 cup fresh herbs finely chopped
Caption: Heat oven to 220 degree-C.
Cut out the backbone of the chicken by cutting along both sides of the spine using a pair of kitchen scissors. Flip chicken over so it is skin side up and press down firmly on the chicken's breastbone until you hear a crack and the chicken lies flat.
I always tuck the chicken wings under the breast as they can burn due to being so skinny.
Caption: Mix together the oil and fresh herbs (not including the handful of thyme).
Make a wee cut at the base of the breast so you can slide your fingers under the skin and lift the skin away from the chicken.
Rub the herbed oil all over the chicken UNDER the skin.
Leave to marinate for a few hours if possible.
Caption: Top and tail lemons and cut in half. Lay them on a greased oven tray, along with 3/4 of the thyme.
Lay the chicken over the lemons and thyme and pour over a generous dollop of olive oil and rub all over the outside of the skin. Put the remainder of the thyme over the chicken and place in oven.
Roast for 35-40 minutes until the skin is golden and juices run clear.
Caption: Rest the chicken for 10 minutes before cutting into portions.
Serve with the lemons and more fresh thyme.
Squeeze the juice from the cooked lemons over the chicken prior to serving.
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Caption: “We will forever spend our lives being grateful
and we will do everything we can to pay it forward."
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Caption: BEHIND THE STORIES
with Miss Lilly
Caption: Everyone I interviewed in this process still welled up when they talked about our lost broken city, our homes, our broken favourite places and our story.
Caption: A tear came into their eyes then it drops and rolls down the face.
Most of the people laughed it off and said,
“Where did that come from?”
and quickly tried to push those feelings back down to that place in our body that hides all the hard stuff.
Others just sat and cried.
Caption: When we speak our truth, honour feelings, ask those powerful questions and just sit in our pain, that’s when the magic happens.
Kia kaha.
Stand together.
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Caption: Dedicated to all who came forward and helped - individuals and local businesses.
With special gratitude to:
Christchurch Helicopters
Mark Raika @ Raika Contracting
Johnson & Couzins
Vac-U- Digga NZ
Total Drainage Excavation
Harcourts Rangiora
TNL – Trevor Inwood
Daniel Smith
Mike Greer Homes
Rangiora Aero Club
Hellers
Taggarts
Men at Work
Artisan by Rangiora Bakery
