Without understanding science, it's hard to distinguish between the scientists and the nutters.

The Christchurch quake as turned some ordinary people into heroes, writes Kerre Woodham.

"Three cars and a truck and trailer piled up. It was spectacular and my mate was smack bang in the middle of it."

Survey after survey highlights that Kiwis are a generous bunch - we live in Godzone, and it appears we don't take our good fortune for granted.

"What gave armchair critics the right to criticise and worse - accuse the rescuers of deliberately sitting on their hands?"