Information for Those Affected By the Christchurch Earthquake

The following page contains information for people affected by the Christchurch Earthquake and are currently in, or thinking of visiting the Tasman Nelson region.

There is information on the following:

Register with the Red Cross 

Christchurch residents who have moved away from Christchurch, even temporarily, should register with the Red Cross. Self-evacuees should also update their details with the Red Cross when they move from one location to another.

To register or update your details phone 0800 733 276 or call into your local Tasman District Council office.
Tasman District Council Office locations

The Red Cross Registration system gives an accurate picture of where evacuees are located and the information will be useful in the future to support people who have been affected by the Christchurch Earthquake.

Registering will help Red Cross Family Link to re-unite friends and family. It will also verify people who may still be missing. People concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives in Christchurch should also call the Red Cross Assistance Line 0800 733 276.

Red Cross is managing a database of displaced people that are registered. More than 10,000 people are currently registered as being affected by the Christchurch Earthquake on the Red Cross database.  

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Accommodation 

There are a number of accommodation options in the Tasman Nelson region catering for those affected by the Christchurch Earthquake.

Housing New Zealand

Housing NZ is providing a temporary accommodation service to people displaced by the earthquake. If you have accommodation you can offer or you are looking for help with accommodation following the earthquake, please call 0800 435 700 or visit: www.housinghelp.govt.nz

Marae

Marae across the region have opened their doors to Christchurch residents. Nelson Tasman Civil Defence has been asked to pass on that marae accommodation is available free of charge and is open to both Maori and non-Maori. In Tasman Nelson the two marae available are:

  • Whakatu marae, Atawhai Drive, Nelson, phone 027 472 5100 or 03 546 9097 (office hours)
  • Te Awhina marae, Pah Road, Motueka, phone 021 039 2794 or 021 043 9061

Campgrounds

Many campgrounds in the region are offering discounts and deals. Please contact the campgrounds directly for their vacancies and rates.

Hotels, Motels and Backpackers

Please explain your situation to the accommodation provider and they may be able to help with discounts and deals.

Holiday Homes

There are hundreds of holiday homes available in the Tasman Nelson region.

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Food and Clothing 

If you need food or clothing for you or your family contact WINZ on 0800 779 997

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Financial Assistance - Civil Defence Payments 

For those in dire financial straits because of the earthquake emergency payments are available from Work and Income. These are not just for Work and Income clients – anyone can apply (there are some criteria). Call the Government Helpline 0800 779 997 or visit http://www.workandincome.govt.nz for information.

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Schools 

Schools around the region have been and are continuing to accept enrolments from Christchurch families. Those wishing to enrol their children should do so by contacting your nearest school.

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Health and Medical Assistance 

Please keep the Emergency Department for serious and urgent cases. If you are concerned about the health of a member of your family who has travelled from Christchurch, have them contact Healthline 0800 611 116 or make an appointment with a local GP.

How to Access a General Practice Doctor(GP)

GPs are listed in the telephone book or on the Be Well health directory: www.bewell.org.nz

After hours GP contacts are listed below.

Nelson After Hours and Duty Doctor

  • Telephone 03 546 8881
  • 96 Waimea Road, Nelson

Motueka Medical Services

  • Telephone 0800 668 477

Golden Bay Medical Services

  • Telephone 03 525 9911

How to Access Mental Health Services

Contact a GP or after hours services (as above) and they will link you in with Mental Health services in this region or contact Relationship Services on 0800 735 283 or 03 548 0904 (Monday- Friday).

How to Access Pharmacies

A list of Pharmacies is available in the yellow pages of the phone book and on the Be Well health directory: www.bewell.org.nz

Pharmacies with extended hours are listed below.

Prices 7 Day Pharmacy

  • Cnr. Collingwood and Hardy Street
  • Telephone 03 548 3897

Richmond Mall Unichem 7 Days

  • Richmond Mall
  • Telephone 03 544 8547

The Warehouse Pharmacy 7 Days

  • The Warehouse (St Vincent Street, Nelson)
  • Telephone 03 548 1525

Maternity Services and Support

Contact Nelson Hospital 03 546 1800

Community Care

Support for people with health and disability needs, contact Support Works 0800 244 3030 or local GP.

Immunisation

Children due for vaccinations can visit a local GP free of charge. Immunisation information can be recorded on the NIR and sent to their usual GP to be recorded in their medical notes.

People eligible for free flu vaccine can access this by contacting a local GP. Other people who would like a flu vaccination should also contact a local GP.

Preventing the Spread of Infections

Preventing infections and their spread is particularly important for people arriving from Christchurch as they may have been exposed to contaminated water and/or measles. There is an increased risk of spread in people staying in communal settings or crowded houses.

To prevent the spread of infections, remember;

  • Wash your hands (soap, water and dry) or use alcohol hand gel:
    • After using the toilet or changing a baby’s nappies
    • Before preparing food or eating
    • After sneezing, coughing and nose-blowing
  • Cover any coughs
  • Seek medical advice early for unwell people

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Coping With Stress and Anxiety 

If you, your family or someone you know needs someone to talk to, we can put you in touch with a range of support and counselling services for free. For someone to talk to call 0800 777 846.

Alternatively, you can go to the Family Services Directory, an online database of family support services at www.familyservices.govt.nz

How Should I Be Feeling?

After a traumatic event it is a normal response to feel any or all of:

  • Extremely intense emotions: e.g. energised feelings, fearfulness, numbness, unreality, anger, shame.
  • Physical sensations: e.g. fatigue, over-alertness, poor sleep, easy startle, panicky sensations
  • Unusual thinking: e.g. flashbacks, difficulty making decisions, poor concentration and memory.

These will vary in response to circumstances but will normally lessen and pass.

If any of these intense responses become so strong that they feel overwhelming, or persist for several weeks, please call 0800 777 846.

Keep To As Normal A Routine As Possible

  • Follow a normal routine as much as possible
  • Eat healthy meals – Be careful not to skip meals or overeat
  • Exercise and stay active
  • Help other people in your community – stay busy but don’t overdo it
  • Accept help from family, friends, co-workers or people you trust – talk about your feelings with them
  • Limit the time you spend around the sights and sounds of what happened – Don’t dwell on TV, radio or newspaper reports on the tragedy.
  • Try to avoid alcohol or non-prescribed drugs. Don’t work until you drop. Take one little job at a time. Take care of yourself.

Supporting Children

The effects of emergency threat on children often worry parents and adults. However, children take their lead from how they see adults managing. Give clear explanation. They are often just as able to cope with the crisis as adults, although they do it in their own way. It is important to trust your children’s common sense, knowledge and emotional strength and your own knowledge of them. They need you to have faith in them.

What is good for your kids, of course, is also good for the rest of the family, particularly the elderly.

For more information: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/coping-with-stress-factsheets

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Other Useful Contacts 

  • WINZ Earthquake Financial helpline – 0800 779 997
  • Govt Helpline – 0800 779 997
  • Child Youth & Family – 050 832 6459
  • Red Cross – 0800 733 276
  • SPCA – 379 Waimea Road, Nelson – 03 547 7171
  • Missing relatives helpline - 0800 733 276
  • www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz

National Information

More information can be found at the national Civil Defence website www.civildefence.govt.nz

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