Quake - a year on: 'Stuff it, let's just pull the pin and move back'

Vanessa Gooch believes a natural disaster could happen anywhere and you should not let nature scupper your plans.

The 39-year-old moved to the quake-devastated city in September last year, after living in flood-ravaged Brisbane.

"I worked on Eagle Street, right on the Brisbane River. Our building ... the car park got totally swamped. We were out of the building for about two weeks.

"Things are going to happen all the time, whether they're natural disasters or other things. I feel you can't put your life on hold for anything. You've just got to keep chugging along with your plans."

Feilding-raised, Vanessa was keen to return to New Zealand to live after residing across the ditch for the past 25 years.

"I've been wanting to come back to New Zealand for about two years and I was coming over for the [Rugby] World Cup anyway. I just decided, stuff it, let's just pull the pin and move back.

"I've been to Christchurch a number of times. I loved the city - before the earthquake and even after the earthquakes."

Last May she visited the city to see if she should make the move despite the disaster.

"It was pretty devastated, [but] at the end of the day, I feel you just can't change your plans. Yes, what has happened is terrible, but you've got to move on. One of my main drivers that I keep saying to people is what a great opportunity to be part of the rebuild.

"So many people were leaving I thought Christchurch needed a bit of love."

Vanessa quickly found a job with the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, and is now living in a flat in St Albans with three others.

"The house that we live in, it must be an absolute dream. We don't have any structural damage - just a few cracks. A work colleague across the road, her house is pretty damaged. It's just the luck of the draw."

December 23 was the first time Vanessa had experienced a big jolt.

"That was my first major one. It was scary because it took me a while to register what it was. I was at home ... I just thought it was a big truck going past.

"It was little bit freaky, but I'm actually happy I was able to experience a major one. Now I know what to expect. I'm a little bit more savvy and aware of the surroundings and how prepared I wasn't.

"I think it takes us foreigners a little while to register what is actually happening."

Vanessa said people in the city have been "fantastic".

"Coming from a city where no one gives a rat's arse, everyone is go, go, go and it is all about themselves, [Christchurch] is a community. People will do anything for you. I just love the spirit. I love it how it hasn't lost that. I'm pretty sure it won't lose that.

"In 10-15 years, this city is going to be fantastic. I just think the future is positive for the city. I just hope Cantabrians just stick with it.

"It's going to be good. It's going to be a long haul and there are going to be ups and downs, but you've got to plough through it."