Christchurch/Canterbury Earthquake

As we receive updates following the second Canterbury earthquake we will post information here.   Please also be sure to check www.recovercanterbury.co.nz/ for the latest in cordon details.

Our Southern Regional Manager Brian Finlayson will be available regularly in Christchurch and is happy to talk and meet with you to discuss any issues that you may have. You can contact Brian directly on 027 475 0410 or 0800 472 472, option 3.

If you are a member you can speak to our employment and consumer advisors Kathy Owen or Roy Hanrahan, or our leasing advisor John Starr on 0800 472 472, option 1.

News and Updates

New Zealand Retail Interior Association

CHRISTCHURCH RESTART EVENT - NOT TO BE MISSED!! Wednesday 22nd February 2012

Features:
Paul Lonsdale, the Restart development manager, will speak about the project from inception to date, plans for expansion, and the future of retail in the CBD.

Venue:
JB's Cafe in Ballantynes, Cashel Mall, Christchurch (Lichfield St Entrance)

Time:
5:30 - 7:30pm

Refreshments:
Canapes, Beer, Wine and Juice

Cost:
FREE of charge

Please RVSP: (for catering purposes)
to info@nzria.co.nz or phone 09 411 8477

New grant for quake-hit small businesses (posted 12 January 2012)

A new grant for small businesses with fewer than 10 employees is on offer to help pay for the professional services they need for their post-quake recovery. Read more

NZRA running FREE seminars in Christchurch (posted 27 September 2011)

NZRA is running FREE seminars on Customer Service and Sales with Leigh Mace on 28th September and Taking Control of Your Business with Roy Hanrahan on 11 October, in the Westpac Business Hub. Read more and register here.

NZRA now located in Westpac Business Hub (posted 27 September 2011)

Come and visit Brian Finlayson, Southern Regional Manager in the Westpac Business Hub Tues - Thurs. We are located here.

Recover Canterbury workshops (posted 17 June 2011)

Recover Cantbury is holding a range of workshops to help enable business owners to manage through the difficult times. Topics covered are:

- Smart business thinking
- Managing stress in the workplace
- PR Comms Post Crisis (including social media)
- Handling conflict post earthquake
- Managing solvency issues
- Insurance issues post earthquake

Download the flyer for more information and to register

NZRA in Westpac Business Hub (posted 14 June 2011)

Brian Finlayson, Southern Regional Manager will be available in the Westpac Business Hub in about three weeks time, to help support and advise members on issues.

Retailer meetings on insurance, leasing and employment issues (posted 2 april 2011)

The New Zealand Retailers Association arranged the following free forums.

Subject:  Insurance Issues

Date:  Monday 11 April 2011

Time : 2-3.30pm 

Venue: Riccarton Racecourse, Show Gate Room, 165 Racecourse Road, Riccarton

Speaker: Gary Young from Broker Insurance NZ

•  Most commercial businesses have a broker, what should you expect from your broker?

Subject: Leases/Employment Issues

Date: Tuesday 12 April 2011

Time: 2-3.30pm Tuesday 12 April

Venue: Sudima Hotel, Christchurch Airport

Speaker:  Malcom Hurley from Anthony Harper Lawyers

Leases

•  Do you understand your lease when you cannot occupy the building?

Employment

•  Do you know your rights as an employer when you cannot occupy your building in its present state?

New Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (posted 29 March 2011) 

On Tuesday 29 March 2011, Prime Minister John Key announced the establishment of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA).

CERA will be a standalone government department tasked with ensuring an effective, timely and coordinated rebuilding and recovery effort in Canterbury. It will be set up to operate for five years, with an annual review of operations.

CERA is expected to support the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownley, in close collaboration with local councils and communities. Detailed legislation empowering CERA is expected to be tabled and passed within a matter of weeks.

Extended support package announced (posted 28 March 2011)

On Monday 28 March, Prime Minister John Key announced extended assistance for Christchurch businesses and workers. The Earthquake Support Subsidy (ESS) for employers and the Job Loss Cover for workers will both be extended until 18 April 2011. Beyond that, a second round of assistance with tighter application criteria will apply.

See http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/business/earthquake-recovery/ess-next-steps.html for information on both the two-week extension of the ESS and on the second round to follow. Applications for the extension are open now. Applications for the second round will open on 7 April.

For information on the extension to the Job Loss Cover and Individual Support Payment for individuals see http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/earthquake-recovery/index.html.

Access to buildings in the CCBD meeting (posted 25 Mar 2011)

The New Zealand Retailers Association and Central City Business Association are working through the key issues identified at the 17 March meeting. Following on from the first meeting there will be a series of response/action sessions. The first of these addresses the most pressing concern - individual access to buildings in the CCBD plus surrounding areas.

The meeting will be addressed by Steve Brazier, Civil Defence National Controller.

When: 2pm - 3.30pm, Thursday 31st March
Where: Christchurch Response Centre situated at the Art Gallery

As space is limited to 100 attendees, it is important to register your attendance. This can be done by emailing levans@retail.org.nz.

The next session will focus on insurance related issues and is scheduled for Monday 11th April.  Details to come.

Media Release - Private sector supports rebirth of Strong Canterbury (posted 22 Mar 2011)

Today’s announcement by Government outlining a $2.5 million funding package for business is welcomed by business.

“A strong Canterbury emerging from the recent earthquakes is crucial for the whole country, not just the region itself.  The Government’s commitment to Canterbury is good to see and so too is the support of the private sector,” BusinessNZ Chief executive Phil O’Reilly said. Read more...

Inland Revenue tax relief for Christchurch (posted 14 Mar 2011)

Inland Revenue is setting up Business Recovery Centres with other Government agencies to provide support and referral services for businesses and to help customers to access business support networks in local areas.

Inland Revenue is able to provide client information to tax agents or directly to clients, such as:
- their previous EMS schedules
- their returns and any attached accounts/IR10
- their Notice of Assessment/Statement of Account
- access to relief provisions due to financial hardship

The Inland Revenue have a useful resource for businesses called 'Tool for business', which is an online interactive tool to explain what you need to know - click here to vie the 'Tool for business'.

Inland Revenue have also put together some tax relief measures. Click here to view their factsheet on tax or social entitlements or ring 0800 473 566 for more information.Click here to read their factsheet if your tax records have been damaged or destroyed.

Christchurch retailers meeting

Date: Thursday 17th March
Time: 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: Sudima Airport Hotel, Cnr Memorial Ave and Orchard Road, Christchurch

A meeting is being held for retailers in Christchurch next Thursday for those wanting to discuss issues facing them in the wake of the Earthquake.  This is an opportunity to share experiences, discuss common business issues and share solutions. There is likely to be a huge range of things that will be talked about.  This is an opportunity to share ideas and work collectively.

If you would like to attend, please email louise@retail.org.nz and we will email you confirmation of the details – you are welcome to bring other retailers that you feel would benefit from the meeting.
Our Regional Manager Brian Finlayson is also available for members at any time, as are our Advisors – please contact us on 0800 472 472.

Canterbury Earthquake Commemoration Day (posted 11 Mar 2011)

Public holiday - Friday 18 March 2011 – Northern and Central Canterbury

Government has passed legislation to provide for a one-off public holiday on Friday 18 March 2011 to be observed in those parts of Canterbury that observe Christchurch Show Day as their Anniversary Day. This will extend to Northern and Central Canterbury, but not Southern Canterbury.

There are no trading restrictions, so you may open, but usual public holiday rules will apply as follows.

Where a public holiday is observed on a day that would 'otherwise be a working day' for an employee, they are entitled to either:
- Have the day off and be paid the 'relevant daily pay' rate for the day, or
- If required to work, to be paid for the time worked at not less than time and a half and also to be granted an alternative holiday on pay (day in lieu) to be taken at a later time.

In other cases where an employee accepts work on a holiday that was not a normal working day for them, they are entitled to payment for the time worked at the rate of time and a half but are not also entitled to an alternative day.

Westpac Update (posted 2 Mar 2011)

- Outside of the cordoned CBD zone as at yesterday 13 Westpac branches are now open again for branch transactions and customer service.
-  Up to date messages including branches and ATM's operating is available at http://www.westpac.co.nz/olcontent/olcontent.nsf/Content/earthquake
-  Relief package detail for Personal, Business, Private Bank, and Investment & Advisory customers is at http://www.westpac.co.nz/olcontent/olcontent.nsf/Content/Christchurch+Earthquake+Customer+Relief+Packages
-  If members have any financial concerns about their personal or business affairs they can call their Business Manager directly, visit an open branch, or contact Westpac's customer service teams at 0800 400 600.
- Westpac's local business and retail managers are locally empowered to assist customers financial needs.
-  Merchants in the Christchurch region will not be billed for the Paymark eftpos Merchant Administration Fee for February and calls to the Paymark Helpdesk have been prioritised for Christchurch merchants.

Meridian Update (posted 1 Mar 2011)

Meridian Energy has established a temporary call centre in their Wellington Office. Their 0800 496 777 number is now operational and manned by relocated Christchurch call centre staff from 7.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday. For more information on medically dependent customers, bill payments, direct debits and further assistance please click here.

PM releases initial earthquake assistance package (posted 28 Feb 2011)

Prime Minister John Key today announced an initial support package for Christchurch businesses and workers affected by last week's major earthquake. The six week package is made up of two parts:
-  An Earthquake Support Subsidy to help employers keep paying wages
-  Earthquake Job Loss Cover to support employees whose employer believes their business is no longer viable.

"This package is a first step to help the people of Christchurch rebuild their lives and livelihoods. It is designed to get people through the next six weeks, as the Government considers what measures will be needed in the medium-term," Mr Key says. Click here to read the press release

Earthquake Employment Support Package - Work and Income

More information regarding the Earthquake Support Subsidy and Earthquake Job Loss Cover can be found at http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/online-services/eesp/index.html  

Employment Obligations following the earthquake (posted 24 Feb 2011)

Canterbury businesses will face many issues following the earthquake - employers and employees alike. There will be practical considerations which you will need to discuss with your staff. In terms of legal obligations in paying staff, you should look to your Employment Agreements. Click here for more information.

Telecom Update 

For Network updates go to http://www.telecom.co.nz/help/alerts
- Telecom payphones in the Christchurch area are now free for local, national and mobile calls.
- Customers who can't get home or to work can call us on 120 for residential customers or 125 for business customers and get their Telecom landline diverted to another number for free.
- WiFi Hotspots - WiFi sites at Telecom Riccarton Mall, Cafe Zero (Cashmere Rd), and the Westpac Centre (Addington) are free of charge.
- Customers with friends or family with a prepay mobile can call 0800 32 32 32 and top up their Prepaid credit on their behalf.
- All customers in the Christchurch area can call 018 from a landline or payphone for free.

Further information can be found at http://www.telecom.co.nz/earthquake

In addition, Telecom are running a campaign to collect old analogue phones that can be forwarded to affected areas in Christchurch. Click here for more information on the phone appeal.

Meridian Energy Christchurch earthquake update 

Meridian Energy's Christchurch based customer contact centre is currently closed. Meridian is working to restore its services and hope to have their contact centre operating from other parts of the country as soon as possible.

For information and updates on when power will be restored, please phone Orion on 0800 363 9898 or go to http://www.oriongroup.co.nz/Default/Canterbury-earthquake-2010.aspx

Power Manager customers who are unable to top up their card, please contact 0800 505 606.

For more information for Christchurch affected customers please click here.

Westpac provides immediate relief for Christchurch earthquake victims (posted 23 Feb 2011)

Westpac is immediately making available relief packages for retail and business customers impacted by today's earthquake in Christchurch. This includes temporary overdrafts, repayment holidays on home loans, relief from term deposit break costs and refund of late payment fees.

In addition, the Westpac Canterbury Care Fund with $1 million, is available to provide practical assistance for those in need, working with the Salvation Army. For more information on the relief package or how to donate money click here

Update from Paymark regarding impact of calls to the PSTN network (posted 22 Feb 2011)

"This afternoons Christchurch earthquake has resulted in some delays to services on the Telecom Network. The Paymark EFTPOS network is fully operational but Merchants who connect to it via dial up around the country may experience delays due to overloading. All people are being encouraged to only use phones if absolutely necessary.

We encourage merchants to please bear with us as we work in partnership with Telecom to minimize the impact to businesses on dial up connections." Paymark

New Zealand Post (posted 10 Sept 2010)

Alternative collection points for those businesses in the Canterbury region have been set up and is free of charge.  All mail has been redirected to local delivery branches and can be collected there by businesses.  For security reasons the delivery branches require photo identification and proof that the person collecting the mail is employed by that business - in the form of a business card or letter of authority on company letterhead.

To identify which delivery branch your mail is being held at, you can call NZ Post's Business Liaison Team on 0800 501 501 with their delivery address.  With that information they will be able to advise where your mail can be collected.  

For updates, questions and answers on New Zealand Postal services in Christchurch visit www.nzpost.co.nz.

Reinstatement of Damage - Where to start/what to do

To find out where to start/what to do in regards to reinstatement of damage due to the Christchurch earthquake and for NZRA members who have their insurance through the BrokerWeb group click here