Also on this page: donated goods, general earthquake information, housing offers, donations, media releases.
For media releases relating to other events, please click here.
Important information for people returning to Christchurch
Fact sheet for people returning to Chirstchurch New 17 May 2011
(54 kb, 7 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Health Board: Repatriation of relocated residents New 18 May 2011
(297 kb, 42 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Those people who have self-evacuated to the Waikato after the quake but who now want to return are being encouraged to talk to their neighbours in Christchurch first to gather local information about the situation in their areas.
Neighbours are likely to have the best local advice on what is happening in particular streets and suburbs - for example, what's happening with various essential services, as well as local traffic and roading issues. The website www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz is another useful source of info or call 03 941 8999.
Civil Defence has advised that returning people should not enter their home if it has a red placard on it. Alternative accommodation could involve staying with family or firends, or getting emergency assistance through a Recovery Assistance Centre. Power needs to be checked to see if it is safe. Power company Orion on 03 363 9898 is a source of advice if you're unsure. Water for drinking or cooking still needs to be boiled. Water can also be made safe by adding a teaspoon of household bleach per 10 litres of water and leaving for 30 mins before drinking.
Important freephone numbers
Government helpline - 0800 779 997
Red Cross missing persons helpline and self-evacuees registration - 0800 733 276
Victim Support - 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846)
Anyone affected by the Christchurch earthquake or requiring victim support assistance can contact the 0800 number or visit local victim support offices in police stations at Hamilton, Huntly, Morrinsville, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Thames or Waihi.
Link to the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management website
Registering
People arriving in the region from Christchurch are urged to register at any Work and Income service centre. A needs assessment will be carried out upon registering so appropriate support can be provided to individuals and families.
For anyone arriving in Hamilton, a recovery assistance centre has opened at the Community Link office, near Garden Place in Victoria street, to provide all the essential services to self-evacuees. As well as Work and Income and Housing New Zealand, the Red Cross and Salvation Army is set up in the office..
For those wishing to register by phone as self-evacuees, call the Red Cross on 0800 733 276.
Link to the Christchurch evacuee information card webpage.
Accommodation
Any Christchurch residents arriving in the region, or planning to travel to relocate to the Waikato, who need accommodation, are urged to contact Housing New Zealand on 0800 435 700 or visit www.housinghelp.govt.nz.
Medical advice
Christchurch residents arriving in the region who require medical assistance should attend a local accident and emergency (A & E) centre or doctor’s surgery. In a medical emergency, please contact 111.
Any further medical advice required, people should contact the national medical helpline on 0800 611 116 or visit www.healthline.govt.nz.
Schooling
For parents arriving in the region with school-aged children, advice can be obtained from the Ministry of Education's local office on (07) 858 7130 or by visiting www.minedu.govt.nz.
Parenting information and support
Plunket centres throughout the country are offering parenting information and support to families and whānau with babies and toddlers displaced after the Christchurch earthquake.
Plunket nurses are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on PlunketLine - 0800 933 922.
Plunket Waikato is able to offer well child assessments to families and can also offer many volunteer support groups for parents and children to integrate into the community, whether they are here for a few weeks, months or permanently. These include play groups, active groups, toy libraries and parenting education sessions.
General information
Housing offers
New centralised national arrangements have been announced for people wanting to make offers of free accommodation for those needing to leave Christchurch following the earthquake.
Waikato people wanting to make such offers can now call 0800 435 700 or visit www.housinghelp.govt.nz.
Donated goods
We have had a great response to the request for items to help fuirnish temporary accommodation for Christchurch residents arriving in the region. We now have enough donated goods to help evacuees - thank you for the generous response.
Donations
The Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group established a Christchurch Earthquake Collective Mayoral Fund to receive donations in the Waikato. This account is due to be closed on 30 April. Once the fund closes, the money is due to be forwarded to Christchurch mayor Bob Parker’s office for allocation through the local mayoral relief fund.
Until 30 April, members of the public can either take donations to a National Bank branch, make them direct to account number 06 0317 0096442 05 or make donations at local council offices. Donations to this fund are not tax deductible.
Donations can also be made via:
- Red Cross - visit: www.redcross.org.nz/donate
- Salvation Army: 0800 53 00 00 (Specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’)
- Any ANZ Bank branch: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00
- Any National Bank branch: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00
- Any Westpac Bank branch: Account number 03-0207-0617331-00
- Any ASB Bank branch: Account number 12-3205-0146808-00
- Any BNZ Bank branch: Account number 02-0500-0982004-000
- Any Kiwibank branch: Account number: 38-9009-0759479-00
- Christchurch mayoral relief fund at any BNZ branch: Account number 02-0800-084958-000
Media releases
Waikato mayoral appeal collects over $70,000 for Christchurch
(38 kb, 5 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Waikato mayors to close off quake appeal
(47 kb, 6 seconds to download, 56k modem)
New authority created for Canterbury rebuild Rt Hon John Key 29 Mar 2011
(46 kb, 6 seconds to download, 56k modem)
New authority will deliver for Canterbury Hon Gerry Brownlee 29 Mar 2011
(50 kb, 7 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Q&A fact sheet for CERA 29 Mar 2011
(69 kb, 9 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Intending Christchurch returnees urged to seek local advice
(38 kb, 5 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Webpage launched for offers of household goods
(51 kb, 7 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Update on self-evacuee registration numbers
(61 kb, 8 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Update on arrangements for register of Christchurch self-evacuees - 03/03/2011
(67 kb, 9 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Update on Christchurch self-evacuees registered in Waikato
(48 kb, 6 seconds to download, 56k modem)
39 Christchurch self-evacuees registered in Waikato
(49 kb, 7 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Waikato helper numbers growing
(48 kb, 6 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Self-evacuees to Waikato advised to get needs assessed - 28 February 2011
(68 kb, 9 seconds to download, 56k modem)
New arrangements for Waikato bed offers - 25 February 2011
(67 kb, 9 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Waikato offers beds to quake evacuees - 13:00 hours 24 February 2011
(75 kb, 10 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Repeated message: Cash donations best way to help Cantabrians - 24 February 2011 10.30am
(87 kb, 12 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Bank account established for Waikato donations
(41 kb, 5 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Support for ethnic communities affected by earthquake
(14 kb, 2 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Redcross phone line confirmed 23 Feb 2011
(268 kb, 38 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Waikato CDEMG media release 11:00 23 Feb 2011
(47 kb, 6 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Waikato CDEMG media release 17:25 22 Feb 2011
(47 kb, 6 seconds to download, 56k modem)
Media release 15.30 22 Feb 2011
(37 kb, 5 seconds to download, 56k modem)