About the Project

Christchurch Dilemmas is a new series from Frank Film, the creators of When a City Falls. Funded by NZ On Air and created with assistance from Radio New Zealand, the six-part series examines the major decisions facing Christchurch 5 years on from the earthquakes that devastated the city.



This interactive documentary encourages and empowers both residents of Christchurch and those interested in her fortunes to engage with the shifting landscape of the city. Made by, for and of Christchurch locals, our aim is to energise residents to participate in their own recovery.



Five years on from the earthquakes, Christchurch is building not just a new city, but a new social fabric. Communities are reforming physically, economically and emotionally. The problems faced by the city are manifold: insurance woes, mental health decline, and stretched rebuild budgets. But innovation, too comes in many forms - from re-inhabiting Red Zone land to new types of housing, mental health recovery to urban planning.



All our stories are about local characters and their visions. For the last 5 years Frank Film has been collecting stories - our hope is that hearing these voices will re-ignite the passion we all have for our city and inspire us to play our part in building the future we want.



Episodes will screen weekly here, and www.rnz.co.nz.

Director: Gerard Smyth

Editor: Gaylene Barnes

Website: Make Collective/Sons & Co

Producer: Gerard Smyth

Production Manager: Jo Ffitch,

Researcher Tess McClure

Audio Post, Chris Sinclair



A Frank Film production

Funded by New Zealand on Air

Distributed by Radio New Zealand