Update from Ōtautahi

Te Puni Kōkiri currently has 10 staff on the ground in Otaūtahi. TPK’s Te Waipounamu staff resumed ‘normal’ working hours today.

Late last week TPK staff attended the “Immediate Welfare Needs” meeting at the EOC. Key issues included:

• Development of Red Cross support plans post 11 April (when emergency grants are discontinued);
• Increase in stress levels and requests for counselling;
• Over-supply of food in eastern suburbs causing some concern;
• Expected spike in unemployment in 6-8 weeks;
• High levels of patronage at suburban bars raising questions about alcohol abuse and violence.

TPK staff worked with Whanganui River Trust Board to visit Whanganui whanau. These visits highlighted particular issues that were reflective of wider trends. In particular, the whanau were concerned about the potential for steep rent increases in private rental accommodation.

Last Friday TPK staff met with Rt Hon Kevin Rudd at Rehua Marae, together with Ngāi Tahu, NGO’s and other Maori Stakeholders.

Ngā Hau e Whā Recovery Assistance Centre (RAC)

Approximately 244 enquiries were processed over 23 - 25 March. Queries were mainly for WINZ and Red Cross and there was increased demand for Relationship Services.

Tenancy Protections and He Waka Tapu have completed their presence at Ngā Hau e Whā, and have resumed normal services at their respective bases.

TPK has reduced its presence at Ngā Hau e Whā to one Kaiwhakarite.

The Māori Land Court have had a presence at this RAC since last Thursday.

TPK continue to link clients up with the most appropriate counselling service which improves outcomes for clients. TPK are increasing our engagement with visitors to also ensure they are receiving the relevant and enough support at the RAC.

The Salvation Army has withdrawn indicated that it will provide services from their Linwood and Aranui headquarters, and that this is focused on ‘last resort’ financial support.

Māori Wardens

Wardens have relocated their operating base to 290 Ferry Road. They are continuing their door-to-door activities.

NGO Rebuild

The MSD convened meeting of NGO’s last Wednesday addressed housing and environmental issues:

• The rebuilding Kaiapoi plan has been released to the public and land remediation is underway. MSD is engaging Community Law to support landowners in settling with insurance companies. The availability of different types of temporary accommodation support was also discussed.
• EQC is providing data for temporary housing modelling, they believe the final number of home needing a complete rebuild will be around 12,500.
• Sewerage Treatment Plant is operating at 65% capacity. Sewerage and waste water pipes in eastern Christchurch are largely not working. This creates potential health issues. Industrial Plants are starting to reopen and this will put more pressure on the infrastructure.

Tribal Support Packages

Te Puni Kōkiri staff in Christchurch are still trying to gather all information on Tribal Support Packages in one place. If you are aware that your iwi have support packages in place, please could you email the details and the contact persons for this support to me, by return email?

Useful numbers and websites

• Click here to read the Ministerial statement on the earthquake made in the House on Tuesday 8 March 2011, by the Hon Dr Pita Sharples:
• Plunket Line 0800 933 922 (for information about ngā pepi & whānau)
• Government earthquake helpline: 0800 779 997
• Māori/Pacifica/ethnic communities helpline: 0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 824)
• Additional ethnic communities helpline: 3555615 ext: 721 (9am-7pm)
• Missing people inquiries: 0800 733 276 or 0800 RED CROSS
• Health line: 0800 611 116
• EQC claim line: 0800 DAMAGE (326243)
• Housing Help 0800 HELP 00 (0800 435 700)
• (for key information, council and Civil Defence updates)
• http://www.civildefence.govt.nz (for key information and status updates)
• www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz (for information for all Maori and ethnic communities also)
• www.google.com/crisisresponse/christchurch_earthquake.html (Google crisis response, includes person finder and map)
• www.sva.org.nz (for info on the Student Volunteer Army, and how to become a SVA volunteer)
• www.tpk.govt.nz