State of Emergency Lifted in Waimakariri District

The state of emergency has been lifted from the Waimakariri District from midday today.

“What this means is that we are now moving into a new recovery phase. It doesn’t mean everything’s back to normal as clearly there is still a lot of work to do,” says Waimakariri Civil Defence Controller Nick Harrison.

“But it does mean that we are no The state of emergency has been lifted from the Waimakariri District from midday today.

“What this means is that we are now moving into a new recovery phase. It doesn’t mean everything’s back to normal as clearly there is still a lot of work to do,” says Waimakariri Civil Defence Controller Nick Harrison.

“But it does mean that we are no longer in that first emergency phase – the focus now is getting our district up and running as much as possible.”

One of the changes the public will see over the next few days is the winding back of the welfare centre at the Kaiapoi Rugby Football Clubrooms.

Instead, concerned residents can seek advice and assistance from a newly established Recovery Assistance Centre (RAC), operating out of the Kaiapoi Community Centre in Sewell Street. This will be open from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, from next week.

The RAC will be a one-stop shop to help people get back on their feet. A number of government agencies will operate out of the RAC in the short-term, including WINZ, Housing New Zealand, Department of Labour, Inland Revenue and other welfare and recovery support services.

While the state of emergency has been lifted, the council will continue to operate under new powers, brought in under the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Act.

However, this is only a transitional step as the council moves closer to operating as usual.

“Of course, this doesn’t alter the fact that many people in Kaiapoi, Kairaki and Pines Beach are still facing significant difficulties. What we want to say to them is if you have any concerns, then please contact the RAC,” says Nick Harrison.

The EOC (Emergency Operation Centre), which has been operating out of the Waimakariri District Council chambers, is also being scaled down and transferred to the Council’s normal operations.longer in that first emergency phase – the focus now is getting our district up and running as much as possible.”
One of the changes the public will see over the next few days is the winding back of the welfare centre at the Kaiapoi Rugby Football Clubrooms.

Instead, concerned residents can seek advice and assistance from a newly established Recovery Assistance Centre (RAC), operating out of the Kaiapoi Community Centre in Sewell Street. This will be open from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, from next week.

The RAC will be a one-stop shop to help people get back on their feet. A number of government agencies will operate out of the RAC in the short-term, including WINZ, Housing New Zealand, Department of Labour, Inland Revenue and other welfare and recovery support services.

While the state of emergency has been lifted, the council will continue to operate under new powers, brought in under the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Act.

However, this is only a transitional step as the council moves closer to operating as usual.
“Of course, this doesn’t alter the fact that many people in Kaiapoi, Kairaki and Pines Beach are still facing significant difficulties. What we want to say to them is if you have any concerns, then please contact the RAC,” says Nick Harrison.

The EOC (Emergency Operation Centre), which has been operating out of the Waimakariri District Council chambers, is also being scaled down and transferred to the Council’s normal operations.