7 Feb 2017

Two Christchurch engineers have turned their passion for their work into a colourful lift-the-flap children’s book explaining the hidden world beneath our feet.

Phil Wilkins with his book Christchurch - Our Underground Story.

First-time author Phil Wilkins with his book Christchurch - Our Underground Story.

The book, Christchurch – Our Underground Story, details in a fun and engaging way the work the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) has done since the earthquakes to repair and rebuild the city’s underground infrastructure.

The book is the brainchild of SCIRT team member and civil structural engineer Phil Wilkins, who hopes it will help inspire inquisitive young minds to look more closely at the world of engineering.

Mr Wilkins worked on the book with illustrator Martin Coates, a chartered chemical engineer by trade, who has a passion for turning complex subjects into pictures, often with a touch of humour to help bring messages to life.

Together they lift the lid on where our water comes from, where it goes when you flush the toilet, and everything in between.

Mr Wilkins said working on one of the largest infrastructure rebuild projects in New Zealand had been a fantastic experience and he hoped the book would become a must-have memoir for Cantabrians.

“I am sure we will all always remember what we went through, and never forget how important our underground infrastructure is to our day to day lives,’’ he said.

Christchurch – Our Underground Story will officially be launched at the Margaret Mahy Playground on Saturday, February 25 between 11am and 3pm. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Ronald McDonald House South Island.

Pre-orders for the book are now being taken.