Kerre Woodham: Tale of two Garden cities

4:00 AM Sunday Feb 21, 2010

Vanessa Pickering. Photo / Supplied

Thank heavens they said it first.

The Listener cover story this week asks why so many odd murders take place in Christchurch.

Statistically, Christchurch is about right: its murders are roughly in line with its share of the national population.

But there's something really creepy about so many of the murders in the Garden City - a creepiness at odds with its picture-perfect setting and First Four Ships mentality.

The latest victim of crime in Christchurch had her funeral at the city's Cathedral this week.

Close to 1000 people turned out to farewell Vanessa Pickering, prompting a call to my show from Christine, a Christchurch woman with beautifully modulated vowels, wanting to know why the Pickering family had been able to hold their daughter's funeral at the Cathedral.

It's a very special place, according to Christine, and one where only members of the congregation and important people should be able to have their ceremonies.

Christine's own mother-in-law had her final send-off there and Christine felt that having Vanessa Pickering's family there somehow - she trailed off.

"Are you saying a murdered girl wasn't special enough?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes," said Christine. "I suppose I am."

The murderer of Vanessa represents one side of the city; Christine represents another.

Thank heavens for the lovely Cantabs who occupy the middle ground who rang to berate Christine.

They give you hope that goodness will win out in the end.

By Kerre McIvor

- Herald on Sunday

Charles Joseph Bridge ( a pilgrim) (New Zealand) | 11:24AM Monday, 22 Feb 2010

Sunday afternoon, I should be doing some work in the office but was drawn to the comments regarding Vanessa's funeral in the Christchurch cathedral. How bizarre! One does wonder just what the twinset and pearl brigade do with their time. When I watched it on the news I thought what a lovely place to say farewell to a young girl who had her life snatched from her and the overwhelming sadness those close to her must be going through.

The mention of the Canterbury Pilgrims and the first 4 ships drew me to think of my own rellies who were in fact not in twinset and pearls but on the Randolf and made their way to New Zealand in the 1850s.

I only knew my great grandfather, the son of one of the pilgrims and I can see him taking a long draw on his pipe and thinking that Vanessa having her funeral there was quite a nice idea. The blocks the cathedral was built on I am sure came from donations and the sweat of those very pilgrims who, at the time, I am sure were not in twinset and pearls.

dee (Nelson) | 11:24AM Monday, 22 Feb 2010

I can't believe what that women said, it is absolutely appalling. Thankfully I am not an Anglican, and have other choices of where I can have a funeral (and without that kind of comment) I might add.