The Christchurch Recovery Map, also known as eq.org.nz, was a short-lived website providing crowdsourced information about the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011.[1][2][3] The site aggregated information via email, tweets with an #eqnz hashtag, SMS and a locally hosted web form. The site was built with open source tools and active support from CrisisCommons[4] and Ushahidi.
As well as providing information, the volunteers hosting the site provided much of the technical infrastructure behind the Student Volunteer Army.[5] The site became a major source of public information. Within its first week of operation, it had received approximately 100,000 unique visitors.[6] The site is listed as a credible source of information by New Zealand's two main news sites, stuff.co.nz[7] and nzherald.co.nz,[8] as well as Google Crisis Response's[9] and the Trademe's website.[10] As mainstream agencies responded to the quake, other forms of communication became established and the need for a grass roots website subsided. The website is no longer updated as the normal information channels have resumed, and recommends an alternative website.[11]
Despite complaints, the website does work on the Wayback Machine, until the screenshot on 2 July 2011.
We recommend you visit http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/ or call the quake helpline at 0800 779 997 for current information
