Photo: Martin Hunter
At heart, I’m a young guy who believes its really important that young people get involved in our communities. This motto seems to have led me down a fairly interesting path over the past year or so….
The Christchurch earthquakes destroyed the Christchurch we all knew and loved. It rocked us physically, emotionally and mentally and it will continue to do so… but we have incredible opportunities in front of us, and great teams of people working to make this city the best in New Zealand!
I’m 22. I come from a farm in Mayfield, I went to school in Christchurch before spending a gap year overseas. I started University when I returned and have made it to my fourth year reading law and political science at the University of Canterbury.
In 2010 I got elected to the Riccarton/ Wigram Community Board . Why? I was sick of being stereotyped as a good-for-nothing ‘student,’ and decided to get off the couch before burning it and find out what happens in our communities. Lots happens, and its all very interesting… most of the time…
When the first earthquake attacked and I started a Facebook page which has evolved into the Student Volunteer Army. Its an incredible team project!
I am forever humbled by the incredible people I’ve met. In my opinion, the most incredible people in the world are the ones at the grass roots holding together some of the most difficult communities. They’re my heroes.
Keep it real.
Sammy J
Hi Sam
Well done! There are heaps of wonderful young people in our communities like you. I write childrens’ books and I am just about to publish my latest, Maungati Mouse and the EQ Rescue (it might not have got to the website yet). The mice are inspired by your student army and the farmy army to go up to Christchurch to help dig out etc. I would love to send you a copy. Where shall I mail it to? Jan
Hi Sam
Further to our phone conversation, are you available for lunch in Christchurch on Nov 22 or 23? Or a meeting in the morning of Nov 24?
I’ll send you more info via email
Ljubica
Hey Sammy
White Ribbon is collecting signatures of prominent men including All Blacks, the PM, Christchurch leaders and you’re on our list of signatures we need to get.
Download the form here: http://whiteribbonnz.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/newspaper-pledge-sign-sheet.doc
and send in your signature.
Thanks
Rob
Hi Sam,
My name is Amanda, i work for Youthline and am currently putting together an online magazine for youth. I would love to interview you for an article about you and your work with the SVA.
Can you please email me – awatson@youthline.co.nz
Look forward to hearing from you!
Hi Sam,
I am a CPIT photography student working on my final project which includes portrait images of the workers who have been heavily involved in the earthquake and those who have worked hard to get our city back together. I have decided to do work with this theme, as I believe these people aren’t getting enough credit, as they should be. I have selected 8 groups within society to demonstrate this.
I was wondering if you would be happy for me to come and take a few images of you to include in my project.
Look forward to hearing back from you.
Many thanks,
Kate Hibbard
Thanks for the amazing info. I find these posts have a lot of material. I can’t wait to get a chance to impliment all these great posts. Thank you very much.
Hi Sam
I’m a travel writer with Lonely Planet, and was recently in Christchurch researching an update of the new edition of the NZ guidebook.
As part of the new edition we are including a few Local Voices
boxed texts – basically a mini-interview where a notable local has a
few comments about why they like living where they do, and also
mentioning a few favourite things to do, cafes, restaurants, bars etc. In your case it would be great to touch on your vision for the future of the city as well.
If possible I’d love to conduct a brief email interview with you which could form the basis of a Local Voices boxed text in the Christchurch chapter.
Thanks and regards – I look forward to hearing from you
Brett Atkinson
komodonz@gmail.com
http://www.brett-atkinson.net
I really like your writing style, good info , appreciate it for putting up : D.
Hi Sam
I work for Careers New Zealand and we’re developing an online portal to help Cantabrians – especially young people – find out about training and work opportunities to assist with the rebuild of Christchurch.
As part of the portal, we’re looking to post a short video encouraging users to upskill or investigate the jobs in demand. We thought that you’d be a great person to video for the slot following your incredible work with the SVA and your knowledge of the community.
If you’re interested, could you e-mail me and we can talk through the idea in more detail. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards
Matthew Freeland
matthew.freeland@careers.govt.nz
Sam,
Check out the “handsonatlant” sites and create one for Newzealand too.
Also, there is a French film producer making movies on social stuff. May I forward your details to him? What would be the best email to contact you
Hi Sam,
We are running a follow-up article in the March issue (on sale Feb) about living in Christchurch one year on. Just wondering if you are able to write about 200-300 words about how your going, whether or not you are still in Chch, and if you are, how are you feeling about the place. I know it’s a busy time, but if you could please write the piece (and send a recent photograph) in the next week or so I would really appreciate it.
Donna
Hi Sam,
I’m writing on behalf of Social Media Club Christchurch, a volunteer run group that promotes the uptake of social media technology and supports the local social media community in Christchurch.
CCC Counsellor Sue Wells is going to be one of our key speakers at our inaugural event on 21st March 5.50 – 7pm at the Honey Pot Café. She recommended we get in touch with you too.
Would you be interested in coming along and giving a short talk about your experience with Social Media and how it helped with the coordination of the Student Volunteer Army after the Christchurch earthquakes?
We would love to have you there.
If so, you can email me (Bronwyn) at Bronwyn@theshannoncompany.co.nz or contact SMC organizer Christine Gooding on christine@theshannoncompany.co.nz or Twitter @mrsgooding
Thanks and kind regards,
Bronwyn.
Hi Sam
Launchpad is an employment progromme that places school leavers into their first job as either a gap year before they go to University or as a starting point to a career in business.
Every year we hold a graduation ceremony for those that have finished our programme (12 months of work experience and completion of a course at CPIT) and we are always looking for motivated guest speakers.
We would like to know if you would be available and would like to come and talk at our gradution, which we are aiming for on the 17th May. It is an early evening ceremony.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Tanya Nissen
Regional Manager, Launchpad
Hi Sam,
I produce Breakfast With Spanky on RDU98.5fm. We have spoken to you before and I was hoping we could call you tomorrow morning to talk about the various events happening on the anniversary. Ideally at 8.15am. Please let me know if you are free.
Kind regards,
Rachel
Hi Sam,
Congratuations on being named Young NZer of the Year!
I am the new editor of AUT University’s debate magazine and would be very keen to interview you regarding your achievements and a reflection on the quake one year on.
I see you are a busy man so would greatly appreciate your reply.
Regards,
Nigel Moffiet
nmoffiet@hotmail.com
Hi Sam,
Congratulations on being named Young New Zealander of the Year!
I am the new editor for AUT University’s debate magazine and I would be keen to interview you regarding your work, the award, and a reflection on the Christchurch earthquake one year on.
If you could get back to me that would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Nigel Moffiet
nmoffiet@hotmail.com
Kia ora Sam,
My name is Mataia Keepa and I work as a research on a show dedicated to ANZAC day for Maori Television. I was wanting to know what your availability is on the 25th of April to possibly be interviewed by our presenter about ANZAC day in Christchurch.
Is this the best way to contact you?
Alternatively, is you have any other means of contact please email me on mataia.keepa@gmail.com
Yours sincerely,
Mataia keepa
Hi I am 12 years old and used to live in christchurch before moving to dunedin after the big 3.
I have to write an essay on you and your leadership qualities and I just need a little bit more information so could you please send me some info before wednesday 29 Feb.
Thanks
Josh Scadden
Hi Sam,
I’m from a Global Entrepreneurship Week, a movement involving over 10 million people in over 120 countries and endorsed by the likes of Sir Richard Branson and our own Rt Hon John Key.
We would love to invite you to be a GEW Kiwi Entrepreneurial Champion to celebrate the work you’ve done in Christchurch as a social entrepreneur.
Sam Morgan and Marc Ellis have done a fantastic job as past Champions but I’m passionate about getting more young people involved in GEW NZ.
I have your CCC email but wondered if I could send some more info to your personal email??
Kindest regards,
Alexandria
Kia ora again,
Dismiss my request, as I think another one of our researchers have contacted him.
Apologies as well for the typing mistakes, I guess thats what happens when your in such a rush.
Thanks for you time,
Mataia Keepa
Kia ora Sam
Congratulations on your many accolades – so well deserved. We are interested in talking to you about being involved in a nationwide research release on NZ’ers engagement in the arts – in particular in relation to the results that have come out of Christchurch.
We are looking to film with people in Christchurch in the week of 16-20 April… are you able to email me?
Thanking you in advance
nga mihi
Hannah
heroes*