Geographies of fidelity: emergent spaces of third sector activity after the Canterbury earthquakes Submitted by Simon Dickinson to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography In December 2017 This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certify that all material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. Signature: 2 Abstract This thesis examines creative trajectories of urban life that irrupted as a result of a series of devastating earthquakes in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2010-11. In particular, it focuses on third sector organisations (TSOs) that emerged during the recovery period, and examines how these organisations sought to inscribe themselves within the re-emerging city. In doing so, I argue that the rupture afforded by the earthquakes opened up the possibility for the dominant practices of a complex political conservatism to be challenged through the emergence of new and previously restrained claims to the city that have manifested through these TSOs. These organisations have made use of the temporary recovery-spaces of the city, and appear to be working to embed their underlying values and politics in its renewal. Pertinently, this thesis comprehensively explores the ways these emergent organisations were impelled and sustained by improvisations that attempted to invoke and continue a fidelity to the earthquake event. The dominant narrative in the city has since critiqued these emergent organisations as being subsumed by a broader state project that is working to restore a neoliberal and conservative style of politics. Drawing largely upon in-depth participatory research within emergent TSOs, this thesis seeks to evaluate the notion that the creative forces of these organisations have become stripped of radical potential through a gradual incorporation into a more resilient version of the previous political orthodoxy. In doing so, it contributes to literatures on the political possibilities of the third sector by paying attention to the organisational practices that foster alternative logics of performative expression, political engagement and cultural imagination alongside formations of the seemingly neoliberal. By drawing attention towards the tentative probing of sociocultural and material fissures, practices of organisational experimentation and the ethical agency of staff, I argue that the sector might be viewed as fostering spaces through which alternative ethical and political sensibilities are being actively contested on a range of scales. Subsequently, this thesis explores how the foundations and relations that previously made the city legible have been shaken. Accordingly, the research offers a re-reading of the earthquakes that makes an argument for something more complex than an automatic return to the status-quo. It recognises the earthquakes as a series of violent geophysical events that prompted the irruption of some potentially disruptive imaginations, but explores perceptions that the disaster couldn’t impel others. Underpinning discussion on how these imaginations are grasped and sustained is an examination of how possibilities were afforded or curbed by interpretations of what the earthquakes represented (or enabled) in ongoing storylines of the city. Consequently, this thesis explores what it actually meant in practice for these organisations to be faithful to the event. 3 Acknowledgements A large number of people have contributed to turning this research from an undeveloped sliver of an idea into the thesis that exists today. First and foremost, I am thankful and immeasurably grateful to those who participated in the research. Given the landscape in Christchurch, let alone the expectations that a researcher inherently brings, I could not have possibly envisaged the kindness and support that would come in my direction during the research process. Special thanks must go to the TSOs that were involved in this study. The staff of these organisations welcomed me into their lives and homes during my time as a researcher and volunteer with them – and all were immensely supportive when it rapidly emerged how little I actually knew. I hope that the friendships that have emerged during this research process extend far beyond the life of the project itself. I would like to thank Professor Paul Cloke and Professor Clive Barnett for playing a significant part in both my intellectual development and the development of this thesis. Needless to say, my time at Exeter has proved an enlightening and eye-opening experience for someone from 12,000 miles away. Their patient guidance has been invaluable in convincing me that I have had something to say (and in helping me turn jumbled words into somewhat-coherent ideas). To Paul in particular, your boundless kindness, encouragement and friendship has been invaluable. I can only hope that I’ve repaid some of this by demonstrating that some ‘New-Zealandisms’ do have a place in modern academic writing! I have been supported by some dangerously intelligent, empathetic and kind friends and colleagues in Exeter and New Zealand. I am indebted to all of the staff and postgraduates in the department at Exeter, who have offered their support, feedback and encouragement during the research process. Thanks to Dom for your unrivalled humour and tardiness to early morning squash battles – the sweatiness and tears of which meant I only had to look elsewhere for blood to complete this thesis (saving much time, for which I thank you). A special mention must go to Sarah and Andy, who have become irreplaceable friends through this process. Sarah, your friendship, conversation and shared laments over the day-to-day experiences of writing a thesis mean more than you could imagine. Andy, your friendship, ‘willingness’ to give up evenings to talk about our research-lives and your pub-quiz knowledge of dogs have been a delight. I can only dream of the day when we win another box of chocolates. Lastly, a big thank-you to my family for all of your love and support. Mum, your support, love and questioning of my research have been instrumental to me. Susan, your love, motivation, companionship and endless treats have made this possible. 4 Table of Contents _________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract ................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. 4 List of Figures .................................................................................................. 8 List of Appendices ............................................................................................ 9 List of Acronyms ............................................................................................ 10 Chapter One: Framing Fidelity _______________________________________________________________ 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 11 1.2 The Canterbury Earthquakes ................................................................................ 15 State and Private Market Responses ................................................................... 18 Changing Third Sector Landscape ....................................................................... 21 1.3 Situating the Thesis .............................................................................................. 24 TSOs as Puppets of the State? ............................................................................ 25 Neoliberal Subjectivities ....................................................................................... 27 The Disaster Context ........................................................................................... 28 Fidelity and Faithfulness ...................................................................................... 32 The Exeter-USF Project ....................................................................................... 37 1.4 Research Aims and Questions .............................................................................. 37 1.5 Thesis Outline ....................................................................................................... 39 Chapter Two: Imageries of the Third Sector _______________________________________________________________ 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 43 2.2 Making Sense of the Sector .................................................................................. 44 2.3 The Neoliberal Orthodoxy ..................................................................................... 49 2.4 New Imageries and Narrations .............................................................................. 53 Interstitial Politics of Possibility ............................................................................ 56 Confronting Neoliberal Logics ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.5 Putting ‘Progressive’ Interpretations to Work ........................................................