The Christchurch earthquakes' impact on the Convergence gathering

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to take a cybernetic perspective on the impact of the earthquakes on the Convergence gathering. Convergence is an organisation formed by a network of alternative life-stylers almost 30 years ago in Canterbury, New Zealand. It holds an annual six-day gathering of 300-500 people over the New Year. Convergence evolved an acephalous structure in that there is no ongoing structured leadership. Leadership occurs in distributed, low key, transient and self-selected ways. Convergence has had its challenges and generally proved itself to be resilient.