Our View: To help city find its feet - go there

Christchurch has had a ripple effect on the country, which means we should do what we can to help.
Christchurch has lost its Rugby World Cup matches and while that is sad for the city, it is a decision which had to be made.
While some saw the event as a way to help the Christchurch economy and its people, the reality is that Cup organisers must take the impact on the whole event into consideration.
We need people to still come to New Zealand to watch the rugby and many who planned to attend matches in Christchurch may have decided against coming altogether had the games not been moved.
Other factors had to be considered. Even if the stadium was up to scratch, what about accommodation? Restaurants? Tourist attractions? Shops?
Right now Christchurch has more immediate and important things to worry about than fixing up a stadium.
Event organisers say while the quarterfinal matches Christchurch was to host will go to Eden Park in Auckland, the other pool games the city was to hold will be allocated elsewhere. As many as possible will go to other South Island centres already getting games.
It's possible Rotorua may be in the running for one of the other games.
So without the rugby games to help boost its flailing local economy, given the extent of the damage and the forced business closures, getting out of the situation created by last month's devastating killer quake is going to take Christchurch years.
There is something all New Zealanders can do.
Many have donated money towards relief and recovery efforts. The funds will be much-needed and will no doubt be well spent on what needs to be done to help people, businesses and the region as a whole get back to its feet.
In the longer term, New Zealanders can show their support by considering Christchurch as a holiday destination.
When the time is right and we are considering taking a break somewhere, we should first look to support our own economy.
What happened in Christchurch has had, and will continue to have, a ripple effect on the whole country, which means we should do what we can to help the city.
In doing so, we will be helping our country and therefore ourselves.