Editorial: Looking after each other

At first glance it is hard to imagine any good coming out of the earthquakes that have riddled Christchurch over the past 11 months.
September 4's initial quake shook up the southern city causing plenty of damage but not exacting a human toll.
But that was nothing when compared to the damage done to people and property by the events of February 22.
The centre of our second biggest city was destroyed and hundred of lives were lost.
Quite simply, the soul of the city was ripped out.
While the rumbling shows no signs of stopping, it has been heartening to watch New Zealand join forces to support and help the people of Christchurch.
From the moment the first quake hit, people have been willing to offer their time, support, money and goods to the people there who lost everything.
And the people of the Bay of Plenty have been every bit as helpful as the rest of the country.
Firstly, they backed an initiative from Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Tauranga City Council called Ten Days in Tauranga which offered Christchurch families a short holiday in our wonderful part of the world.
The idea was to get them away from their troubles and just forget for a few days.
People and businesses came on board and the reaction from the families was understandably appreciative.
Today, in Section C's Inside Story, we meet some remarkable people who are still giving their all to the people of Christchurch.
In March this year, Rosalie Crawford started up a Facebook page called Rise Up Tauranga to galvanise support for southerners caught up in the quake.
Little did she realise the response she would get and how many people she would be able to help. More than 200 Christchurch families have been helped by Rise Up Tauranga and more than 120 Tauranga homes have donated furniture.
This week Rise Up Tauranga received a Special Regional Commendation at the TrustPower Community Awards and what a well-deserved award it was.
Ms Crawford is constantly amazed by the willingness of people to help.
"It just keeps blowing me away. They keep giving despite their own life traumas. It's been an amazing journey for me, to see the joy on someone's face, to see them looking so relaxed. The anxiety has been taken away," she says.
Hopefully, we can continue looking after each other.