Whānau support available right now:

  • $400 –Winter Assistance Grant–to assist vulnerable households living in homes significantly damaged by the earthquakes or who have had to move into damp or hard to heat accommodation.
  • Free – Earthquake support – He Oranga Pounamu Kaitoko Whānau are available to work through any issues regarding accommodation, housing, building repairs, health and education, working with EQC and your insurance company. Call 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248).
  • $1000– Funding for specialist earthquake advice (HOP)– He Oranga Pounamu has up to $1000 available to help out with lawyers' fees, building reports, engineers reports, geotechnical advice and other specialist earthquake damage advice. Call 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248).
  • NEW! $750 – Disability Support Grant – To assist people with disabilities, and their carers, who are having difficulties meeting disability-related needs because of the effect of the earthquakes upon services and infrastructure.
  • Up to $750 – The Independent Advice for Small Business grant–for small and family run businesses (under 10 employees) to access professional legal and accounting advice in relation to the effect of earthquakes on their business. Visitwww.recovercanterbury.co.nz or call on 0800 50 50 96.
  • Up to $750 –Independent Advice Grant (Red Cross)–to assist vulnerable homeowners on what to do with their earthquake damaged property. Visit the Red Cross Grants webpage or call 0800 754 726. (Call 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248) if you don't qualify as HOP may be able to help.)
  • Up to $500– Storage grant–for homeowners and renters who have had to vacate their damaged property and pay for storage. Visit the Red Cross Grants webpageor call 0800 754 726.
  • $1,000–Targeted Moving Assistance Grant–for households whose properties have been issued with a Section 124 Building Act Notice by the Christchurch City Council.
  • Creative NZ grants– Earthquake Emergency Assistance – for artists and arts organisations, not necessarily based in Christchurch. Visit www.creativenz.govt.nzfor more information.
  • Free financial advice– The Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income – for residential red zone property owners. Visitwww.sorted.org.nz/redzone.
  • Up to $5,000–Enhanced Water Filter Grant – to assist people whose domestic water supply comes from a well or a bore and whose water quality was affected by the earthquake and now require an enhanced water filter, in order to make their water potable. Visit the Red Cross Grants webpage or call 0800 754 726.
  • $1000– Funding for specialist earthquake advice (HOP)– He Oranga Pounamu has up to $1000 available to help out with lawyers' fees, building reports, engineers reports, geotechnical advice and other specialist earthquake damage advice. Visit the He Oranga Pounamu or call 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248).

Emergency or structural repairs

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu was proud to work with NRG Homes Ltd to offer Ngāi Tahu whānau prompt building advice and solutions regarding earthquake damage. This offer expired in August 2012.

Keep safe in aftershocks

Drop, cover and hold - do not run outside When an earthquake starts, the best advice is still to 'drop, cover and hold'.

Download your whānau emergency information poster »

This is the drill practised by schoolchildren, and what Civil Defence agencies have consistently promoted around the country and internationally. The drill is drop, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on, or shelter against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases etc.

"With the continuing aftershocks in the Canterbury region it is especially important the 'drop, cover and hold' advice continues to be followed," Civil Defence Controller Peter Mitchell said. "It is worrying to hear some people being interviewed by media saying their first response was to run through their building to get outside.

"By doing that, they had actually increased their risk of being injured."

Most earthquake related injuries and deaths result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects caused by the ground shaking. Immediately taking cover helps protect from falling or flying debris. Running to try to get outside usually increases the risk of being hurt.

A link to the earthquake safety fact sheet on the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency website is attached. The fact sheet is the agreed New Zealand advice about what to do during an earthquake. It is based on international best practice.

The fact sheet includes the advice, during an earthquake

  • Move no more than a few steps to a safe place, drop, cover, and hold on
  • Do not attempt to run outside
  • If outside, move no more than a few steps to a safe place, drop, cover, and hold
  • If in a lift, stop at the nearest floor and get out
  • If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road
  • Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops

KEY MESSAGES:

  • Water: boil water and conserve water.
  • Toilets: Use toilets sparingly. If you are in an area with portaloos and chemical toilets please use them.
  • Limit travel: A number of roads are affected by liquefaction, flooding, damaged retaining walls and rockfall. Please drive to the conditions.
  • Rock falls: Several rock falls have occurred mainly in eastern hills of Sumner, Taylors Mistake, Redcliffs, Morgan Valley.