Christchurch Earthquake information
To all our friends, colleagues, families and children in Christchurch we are all thinking of you as you endure more big aftershocks. Please do call 0800 023 456 if we can be of further assistance.
PERSONAL COUNSELLING - to assist PORSE Staff and Educators we have initiated an Employee Assistance Programme with STRATOS and PORSE will cover counselling fees for 3 sessions per person. Please see the secure area for contact information.
- Counsellors
This service is operating, although there may be limited options as understandably some councillors also need time before they feel up to providing psychological support for others. - Phone counselling
If you wish to speak to a counsellor on the phone please call on 0800 787 2867. - In-Home support
If required, we can arrange for a counsellor to meet either individually or as a group. The focus of this would be on coping with anxiety and grief as well as building resilience.
Resources and Useful links
- Helping children after the earthquake
- Manager’s Guide to supporting staff after the earthquake
- Tips for getting a good night’s sleep
- Coping with death – this is generic document although we have a variation for when a colleague or family member dies
- Building your resilience
- Dealing with distressed customers
- Ten rules for dealing with panic
Other Information
The Civil Defence is advising people to:
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Expect aftershocks. Each time one is felt, drop, cover, and hold on.
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Listen to the radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
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Do not overload phone lines with non-emergency calls.
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Help people who require special assistance - infants, elderly people, those without transportation, families who may need additional help, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.
Government earthquake Helpline 0800 779 997
People affected by the quake can call the Government's earthquake helpline for advice. The helpline will run 24 hours a day.
Information on the Civil Defence response to the quake is available at canterburyearthquake.org.nz
The Yellow Pages is also offering free 018 directory assistance for all Cantabrians.
Plunket New Zealand says Christchurch families concerned about their child's health or wellbeing should call PlunketLine.
You can donate to victims of the earthquake at:
The Salvation Army
Freephone 0800530 000; online at www.salvationarmy.org.nz ; or by post to The Salvation Army, PO Box 27001, Marion Square, Wellington, 6141. Mark correspondence: "Canterbury Earthquake Appeal".
Any ANZ Bank
Account number 01-1839-0188939-00
Any National Bank
Account number 06-0869-0548507-00
The Auckland University Students Association street appeal outside its Student Union building.
ASB Bank Limited has opened an account to receive donations for those impacted by the disaster: ASB 12-3205-0146808-00
Beware of Scams
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is warning reporting scammers are already using the Christchurch earthquake to take advantage of the goodwill of New Zealanders.
It says emails are being sent out from "James McCoy", claiming to be from "Donate4CharityNZ", using a legitimate UK-based charity's organisation name and website address.
The email encourages people to receive donated funds into their bank account from overseas for a 10 percent cut.
The Ministry says this is a scam, and anyone who receives these emails should report them to them at Scamwatch, delete the emails and do not reply.
- Red Cross – 0800 733 276 (for people trying to track others down)
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Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/
(where to go for medical assistance and regular updates)
