Abstract
From the perspective of six years after the earthquake sequence which hit the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, this paper reviews a series of research studies on the effects experienced by older people. Immediate, medium and longer term effects show that lessons can be drawn from how these played out over time, and in relation to different sub-groupings of older people. First, the experiences of relocated rest home and hospital residents within the first year related to disrupted support links with family and carers. Second, older community residents reported both short-term negative mental health effects but also demonstrated immediate and longer term resilience through engagement in reconstruction and social support networks. Supportive ties are reported nationally as well as locally. Finally, other national processes for sharing the learning from these events will be discussed, following the metaphor of major ripple effects extending across a relatively small national population.