Yesterday, painter and decorator John Duncan and his teacher partner Angela Shea leave for a new life in the shaky city.
It appears they are joining an increasing number of Dunedin residents drawn to Christchurch by new opportunities and the prospect of helping rebuild the city.
Mr Duncan is moving north to continue employment with City Care, which recently lost its Dunedin City Council contract but has a lot of work on in Christchurch.
In May, City Care joined four other contractors - the New Zealand Transit Authority, Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority - in signing an interim alliance agreement for the rebuild of Christchurch.
Miss Shea will teach music and take relieving teaching work.
She also hopes to get involved in community organisations.
The couple like Christchurch and are positive about the move, despite having their resolve tested by the two powerful aftershocks on June 13.
They will rent in Cashmere for a couple of years and then look to buy a property.
"We're very excited about the potential of being part of the rebuild," Miss Shea said.
"Most people think we are mad. But it [quakes] isn't going to go on forever. I think it's a shame when everyone is so negative. I hope others will be inspired to do the same."
The only negative was their inability as newcomers to get contents insurance.
That would have to be looked at closely, Mr Duncan said.
Also moving soon is City Care contract manager Ron Burns.
For Mr Burns, the shift is a return home after six years in Dunedin.
Already in Christchurch is musician and former Dunedin resident Flora Knight, who was a regular fiddle and guitar player at the Otago Farmers Market.
Miss Knight moved to Christchurch on the day of the February earthquake, promptly returned to Dunedin, shifted back to Christchurch in April, spent May touring Australia, and is now living in a house in Avonside.
"It's a nice old villa," Miss Knight said.
"It hasn't been damaged. It just sways."
She has not been put off by the quakes.
"There are wonderful, creative things blossoming out of Christchurch," she said.
"People have become very resourceful."
Bradford School principal Lisa Dillon-Roberts is taking up a new role as principal of Merrin Primary School, Avonside, Christchurch, at the start of October.
She is shifting north with her husband Stuart, who has a new position with business consultancy firm Effectus.
"We are happy to go," Ms Dillon-Roberts said.
"Christchurch needs people to go and live there."
