Christchurch earthquake support and assistance

In the aftermath of the earthquakes help is available for you, your family and whānau. Here’s a brief outline of the services and support available to you.

Where to find help

For information and financial support call the Earthquake Government Helpline on 0800 779 997 - Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm.

You can also go to a Work and Income or a Community Link office.

Work and Income and Community Link Service Centres

All Work and Income and Community Link sites will be open for business from Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5pm, Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm.

To find the office nearest to you visit the Work and Income website www.workandincome.govt.nz

• Ashburton: Cnr Cass and Moore Streets
• Hornby: 25 Shands Road
• Kaiapoi: Unit 9, The Crossings, 77 Hilton Street
• Linwood Community Link: 154 Aldwins Road
• New Brighton: 26 Beresford Street
• Rangiora: Cnr Good and Blake Streets
• Riccarton: 76 - 78 Riccarton Road
• Shirley: 203 – 205 Hills Road

Financial assistance

The Government has a number of assistance packages that are available to anyone who needs them. You may be eligible for several different types of assistance.

Help from Work and Income

You don’t need to be on a benefit to get help from Work and Income. If you're not sure what you may be eligible for visit www.workandincome.govt.nz or call 0800 559 009, or visit a service centre.

Help from Red Cross

There are a number of organisations across the region offering assistance to those affected by the earthquake. One of these organisations is Red Cross. For the types of assistance offered by the Red Cross go to www.redcross.org.nz or call 0800 754 726.

Temporary Accommodation

Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service (CETAS)

The Temporary Accommodation Service assists homeowners and people in rented accommodation whose homes are uninhabitable or who need help finding suitable rental accommodation while their house is repaired.

Householders who need help finding emergency accommodation are encouraged to call 0800 673 227.

Accommodation options include private rental and government supported accommodation, such as temporary villages, for those who qualify.

Housing New Zealand tenants should contact HNZC directly for help if needed on 0800 801 601.

Financial assistance may be available for Canterbury homeowners who have had to leave their home as a result of the earthquakes, and now face additional accommodation costs such as rent, board, or motel stays.

Social wellbeing co-ordination connects people to a dedicated Earthquake Support Coordinator who will help link people to relevant information and services to help identify what services are required.

For more information go to www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz or contact them on 0800 673 227 (Monday to Friday - 8am to 5pm).

Recovery information and support - CERA

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) was set up by the Government to lead recovery work following the devastating earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011.

For all enquiries call 0800 RING CERA (0800 746 423).

For general enquiries email: info@cera.govt.nz

For land enquiries email: landinfo@cera.govt.nz or call into the Avondale Earthquake Assistance Centre at the 141 Breezes Road (corner Breezes and Wainoni Road) open weekdays from 10am to 6.30pm.

Child, Youth and Family Support

Child, Youth and Family sites in Christchurch are closed, pending building inspections. Our team is in contact with families and caregivers, but you can talk to them any time by calling 0508 326 459.

If you're concerned about a child or young person, need help or advice please call 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459).

Support and counselling services

If you are finding it hard to cope and need support you can ring the Quake Support and Counselling Services Helpline on 0800 777 846.

When you call this helpline, someone will talk with you and help work out what kind of support you may need. They can connect you with free counselling services or organisations that can offer you practical support, information or advice.

A list of available social support services is also available on the Family Services Directory. 

Support factsheets

The following factsheets contain information about support services and tips and talking points for friends and family worried or stressed after the earthquakes.

Family Violence Information Line

Disasters can be tough on relationships but resorting to violence is never OK. It's more important than ever for people to ask for help if they are experiencing violence in their family.

In an emergency, ring the Police on 111.

The 0800 Family Violence Information Line provides information and connects you with local services. It operates every day and is open from 9am - 11pm. Call 0800 456 450.

Support if you're injured - ACC

If you are injured ACC can help with treatment and other support.

The first step to getting help from ACC is to visit a doctor, accident and emergency clinic, physiotherapist or other health professional. As well as treating your injury, your health professional will help you fill out an ACC claim form and send it to ACC.

If you have questions about assistance, call ACC on 0800 101 996 or visit www.acc.co.nz/canterbury-earthquake.

Tax support

Inland Revenue Help Line 0800 473 566

Call Inland Revenue for information about tax, Working for Families Tax Credits, Child Support, KiwiSaver or Student Loans. You can also visit www.ird.govt.nz/earthquake.

Tax returns personal and business

If the Canterbury earthquakes have stopped you from meeting a tax return or payment due date, please don’t worry.  Inland Revenue will work with you to sort things out.  You can contact them using secure webmail at www.ird.govt.nz or by calling 0800 473 566.

If your tax records have been destroyed or damaged, please call 0800 473 566.  Inland Revenue can work with you to help reconstruct your records.

After your returns are filed, and your tax has been paid, you can apply for a remission of any late filing penalties, late payment penalties and use-of-money interest.

Visit www.ird.govt.nz/earthquake for more information.

Working for Families Tax Credits and Child Support

If you receive payments, such as Working for Families Tax Credits, they’ll continue as usual. If your circumstances have changed you may want to check that you’re getting the right amount.

If you’re a liable parent and pay child support, please make payments as usual.

If you’re struggling to make payments or your circumstances have changed please talk to Inland Revenue.

Inland Revenue will continue to make payments to custodial parents as they receive them.

Visit www.ird.govt.nz for more details. You can also contact Inland Revenue using secure webmail or by calling 0800 473 566.

Support for business - Recover Canterbury

The Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) and Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Christchurch (CECC) have created the trust Recover Canterbury to support businesses in the city.

For more information on the assistance that Recover Canterbury can provide visit www.recovercanterbury.co.nz.

Health and safety and employment relations - Department of Labour

For information about health and safety and employment relations for employers and employees who have been affected by the earthquakes - give the Department of Labour a call 0800 20 90 20 or visit their website www.dol.govt.nz/quake.

Support for immigrants and migrants

Immigration queries

If you're affected by the earthquake and you have an immigration query please call the Immigration Contact Centre on 0508 55 88 55.

Settlement support for new migrants

Immigration New Zealand funds the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce to provide settlement support for new migrants to Christchurch, and for their employers.

You can contact Settlement Support in Christchurch by email: settlementsupport@cecc.org.nz or phone 0800 776 948 or 03 353 4162 (for Christchurch callers).

Language Line is available on the Earthquake Government Helpline 0800 779 997 for non-English speakers.

Important contacts