Support for the Canterbury flood event

Register for assistance

To register for assistance or for queries related to roading, water and wastewater, contact your local council.

For additional information or any questions concerning welfare please contact:

• Ashburton District Council 03 307 7700
• Christchurch City Council 03 941 8999
• Hurunui District Council 03 3148 816
• Kaikōura District Council 03 319 5026
• McKenzie District Council 0800 685 8514
• Selwyn District Council 0800 735 996
• Timaru District Council 03 687 7200
• Waimakariri District Council 0800 965 468
• Waimate District Council 03 689 0000
• Waitaki District Council 03 433 0300

When times are tough, it is normal to feel a bit worried, frustrated or overwhelmed. As we recover, going back to
basics and focusing on the things we can control, can really help.
Here we share our top tips for looking after yourself and others:

• allright.org.nz - coping-tough-times
• Sparklers - helping tamariki live brighter
• farmstrong.co.nz
• hewakaora.nz

If you or someone you know is struggling, there is free help available. Free call or text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day.

You can also call Lifeline on 0800 543354 or text HELP to 4357. We all need a little help from time to time, and you don't have to go it alone.

If you have health questions, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116. Healthline is staffed by experienced registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you have questions about your child or baby’s health or wellbeing, phone PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 to speak to a Plunket nurse. PlunketLine runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In an emergency, always call 111.

• It’s normal to feel upset and physically drained after events like this. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and you don’t have to cope on your own.
• If you need support or advice, or have feelings of anxiety, stress, prolonged fear, hopelessness or anger, or you just need to talk with someone, you can text or phone 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor.
• If you have health questions, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116. Healthline is staffed by experienced registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• If you have questions about your child or baby’s health or wellbeing, phone PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 to speak to a Plunket nurse. PlunketLine runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• In an emergency, always call 111.
• Visit our ready for anything page for more information on wellbeing during and after an event.

Iwi support

For support please contact:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Phone: 0800 KAITAHU Email: info@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
• Te Puni Kōkiri Te Waipounamu Christchurch Regional Office Phone: 0800 875 839 Email: tpk.te-waipounamu@tpk.govt.nz
• Whānau Ora (Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu) Phone: 0800 187 689 Email: info@teputahitanga.org

Pacific support

Ministry for Pacific People - Christchurch Regional Office:

• Phone: 03 366 7202
• Email: southern@mpp.govt.nz

Pacific Whanau Ora

Pacifica Futures have support services available for Pacific families in the Canterbury region through two Pacific Whanau Ora Providers: 

• Etu Pasifika 0800 388 727 (support contact - Mr Antonio Filimoehala)
• Fale Pasifika O Aoraki 027 321 6149 (support contact - Ms Vicky Cunningham)

Ethnic communities

• For support, please call 0800 656 656 or email ethnic.communities@dia.govt.nz

Disability support

• For support and referral please contact CCS Disability Action at 0800 227 2255

• The following advice is aimed at helping you make your home habitable in the shortest possible time.
• Remember that flood waters are sewage polluted so all items in contact with flood water should be treated with caution. Small children should be kept away during the clean-up phase.
• To be habitable a house must be at least electrically safe, have a good water supply and an operative sewerage system, as well as be reasonably clean and dry.
• Check your local council's website to see if there is a ‘boil water' notice in place for your area.
• Visit the Ministry of Health's website for more information and advice on returning to your home after a flood.

Before returning to your home, please ensure:

1. 1. That the electrical supply authority has checked that electrical installation is safe.
   2. That health, building, or plumbing inspectors from your local authority have checked the sewerage system and the water supply. You will only be allowed to return to your house when clearance has been received from the above inspectors.
   3. If you have gas at your property, that the gas supply has been checked by an authorised technician.
   4. Find out more information on what you can do when the flood water recedes.

When you return to your property:

• Clear out everything that is wet.
• Get rid of any water or mud left behind.
• Do things to encourage quick and thorough drying. Quick drying is important. Don’t be afraid to cut out material – it can be repaired.
• Repairs and redecorating should be carried out only when the structure of the house is dry enough. Do not rush this work. Wait until the house is fit to live in and thoroughly dry.
• In most cases it will take months, rather than weeks, to completely restore your home after it has been damaged by flood water.
• Find out more information on what you can do when the flood water recedes.

A note on insurance: In all cases approach your insurance company prior to disposing of any goods or carrying out any restoration on your house. If an agreement cannot be reached with the insurance company in this matter, guidance can be sought by an environmental health officer at your local Council.

Checking for structural damage

Has the house moved? Look for:

• Buckled floors
• New cracks in walls
• Out of shape door frames.

• It may not be safe to return home even when the floodwaters have receded. Only return home after Civil Defence and emergency services have told you it is safe to do so.
• Always wear protective gear when cleaning up after a flood, including gloves and masks, in case you’re exposed to hazardous material. Wash your hands thoroughly after each clean-up session and before handling food.
• Blankets, sheets, drapes, clothing, etc., which can be boiled can be re-used. Materials of this nature which cannot be boiled, should be thoroughly washed with the use of disinfectant. Other such articles of value can be restored by dry-cleaning.
• Pillows, mattresses (flock, kapok, inner sprung mattresses and foam rubber mattresses) as well as soft upholstered furnishings, should be discarded. Shoes should also be discarded.
• Carpets and rugs should be discarded.
• Furniture that is absorbent, such as wood, should be discarded.
• Vinyl on concrete that shows lifting or damage at the joins or coving must be discarded. Vinyl on wooden flooring must also be discarded.
• Soft toys must be discarded, as must plastic or metal toys that cannot be cleaned effectively.
• Electrical appliances such as refrigerators, deep freezers, electrical heaters, etc., should be checked by an electrician before using.
• Frozen foodstuffs which have thawed should be discarded. Any food stuff which is not in a waterproof container and has been covered with flood water should also be discarded.
• Foodstuffs contained in bottles and jars with crown caps that have been under flood water should also be discarded.
• Food in freezers can only be retained if it has not thawed, has not been in contact with flood water and an alternative storage can be found, otherwise it should be discarded.
• Visit the Ministry of Health's website for more information and advice on returning to your home after a flood.
• Find out more information on what you can do when the flood water recedes.

As floodwaters recede, many residents, farmers and lifestyle block owners are dealing with debris left on their property as well as with their own possessions damaged by the flood.

To aid with disposal, sort your waste into separate piles for removal – one for domestic / household waste and others for material such as fenceposts, trees and other green waste, and plastic baleage wrap.

Please check with your local council if they have special arrangements for collection and disposal of debris from the flood. 

• • • Ashburton District Council: 03 307 7700
    • Selwyn District Council: 0800 735 996
    • Waimakariri District Council: 0800 965 468

Rules for burning greenwaste

You can burn trees and other greenwaste, provided you meet these requirements:

• Stockpile the greenwaste and only burn it when it is dry.
• Properties over 2ha in size in a clean air zone may only burn between 1 September and 30 April.
• Follow other outdoor burning guidelines.
• Check that Fire and Emergency does not have any burning restrictions in place.

Exemptions

Properties under 2 ha in size outside of clean air zones would not normally be able to have outdoor burns.

However, Environment Canterbury will allow flood-related greenwaste to be burned as an exemption to the rules, provided that:

• Guidelines for clean air burning are followed.
• Smoke does not impact on neighbours.
• Fire and Emergency NZ has no restrictions in place.
• Landowners contact Environment Canterbury before burning so we are aware when and where burns are occurring.

Any properties under 2 ha in size within a clean air zone should contact Environment Canterbury, so staff can assist in planning how flood debris might be burned as an exception.

Do not burn:

• Treated fenceposts and baleage wrap should NOT be burned.
• Fencing materials that cannot be reused or recycled can be buried on-farm or taken to your local council’s transfer station.
• Silage wrap should be collected for recycling (e.g. Plasback) or taken to your local council’s transfer station disposal.

• If your home, car or contents have been damaged by the floods, take photos before you remove or repair anything, and let your insurance company know as soon as possible.
• If you need to make your home safe, sanitary, secure and weather tight, record the work done and keep copies of any bills.
• If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.
• Your insurance company will let you know what you need to do next and how to make a claim. If you believe you have residential land damage from flooding or storms, you can contact either your insurer or the Earthquake Commission (EQC) to discuss EQC Cover.
• Learn more about flood and storm damage at www.eqc.govt.nz/storm-damage.

Find guidance on how to deal with damage to your farm or rural property following a natural disaster. For more information email info@eqc.govt.nz or call 0800 DAMAGE (326 243).

Long access ways

EQC covers:

• The main access way to each residential building, but only the part that is within 60 metres of that building (as the crow flies) and within the land holding on which the building is lawfully situated.
• Cover is only for the land forming the access way.

EQC doesn’t cover:

• Any parts of the access way that are on council land or over neighbouring properties, unless an easement is in place. This is because these parts are not within the same land holding as the residential building.
• The sealed surface of the access way, which may be covered under private insurance.

Rural structures

EQC covers:

• Residential buildings and structures only, meaning the dwelling, associated services (water supply, drainage, sewerage, gas, electrical and telephone services and structures appurtenant to these services), and building and structures that are used for the purposes of the household of the dwelling occupiers.
• Some buildings or structures may have both a household use and a commercial or other use. These will be covered by EQC, where they are used for the purposes of the household of the dwelling occupiers: in other words, where the household use is material.
• Seasonal accommodation for workers may attract EQC cover but it will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. If the accommodation is self-contained and the person chooses to live there on a more than temporary or transient basis and the prime purpose of the premises is to serve as somebody’s home, then it may be covered. For example, accommodation on an orchard occupied by different fruit pickers for a few weeks at a time would not be covered by EQC where-as a farm-house occupied by a shepherd for a full season may be covered by EQC.

EQC doesn’t cover:

• Other buildings and structures, including those used for commercial operations (e.g. a milking shed), do not have cover through EQC, but may be insured through private insurance.
• Seasonal accommodation for workers.

Water supply, wells and bores

EQC covers:

• Water supply services serving the dwelling and owned by the dwelling owner (or the owner of the land the dwelling is situated on), even if the water supply service has a commercial or other use as well.
• Cover is only for the infrastructure that is in place, and doesn’t include seeking out new or alternative supplies from the property.
• Infrastructure is only covered where it serves the dwelling, is within 60 metres of the dwelling (as the crow flies) and is owned by the dwelling owner (or the owner of the land on which the dwelling is situated).

EQC doesn’t cover:

• EQC doesn’t provide cover for temporary water while the supply is out of order.
• In general, irrigation supply and water supply for livestock and other animals will not be covered because it is not a water supply service serving the dwelling.
• EQC does not cover problems with the presence or quality of the water itself: just the infrastructure.

Water tanks and sewerage

EQC covers:

• EQC provides cover for water tanks that are part of the water supply service serving the dwelling, owned by the dwelling owner (or the owner of the land on which the dwelling is situated) and within 60 metres of the dwelling (as the crow flies).
• Septic tanks and other sewerage services are covered by EQC, where they serve the dwelling, are within 60 metres (as the crow flies) and are owned by the dwelling owner (or the owner of the land on which the dwelling is situated).

Land

EQC covers:

• Land cover is for the main access way, and for land under and up to 8 metres around residential buildings.
• Cover is also provided for retaining walls that are supporting or protecting a residential building or the insured area of land, and are within 60 metres of the building.
• Land cover is limited to the land within the same land holding as the residential building, which can include land that the dwelling owner has an easement interest in (e.g. a right of way).
• Bridges and culverts are covered only where they are within insured land areas. The whole bridge must be within the land holding (or covered by an easement) to be covered by EQC.

Machinery, vehicles and livestock

EQC doesn’t cover:

• Motor vehicles or trailers, whether they are for residential or other use.
• Animals (including livestock and pets).
• Other items that may be found on a farm, including: any aircraft or anything in or on an aircraft; any bush, forest, tree, plant or lawn; growing crops, (including fruit trees and vines) or cut crops in the open fields; dams, breakwaters, moles, groynes, fences, poles or walls (except retaining walls); drains, channels, tunnels or cuttings; any vessel; any explosives. For a complete list, see Schedule 2 of the Earthquake Commission Act.

Other issues to be aware of

Some farms may have multiple homes covered under a single policy (which may be a commercial policy). Where each building met the definition of “residential building” at the relevant time and was insured against fire at the time of the earthquake, it will be covered by EQC.

EQC covers buildings only where they are self-contained premises that are, at the relevant time, somebody’s home or (if vacant) intended by the owner to be somebody’s home. Sometimes there are multiple houses on a farm and some are vacant. These will not be covered unless they meet the “residential building” definition.

• Extra financial support is available to people affected by the Canterbury flooding. Everyone’s situation is different, and there is a range of help available.

Help with costs

• • Depending on your situation, Work and Income may be able to help you and your family with things like medical costs, bedding, food, rent, power bills, repairs or replacing appliances.
  • You don’t need to be on a benefit to get help, it’s also available to people on a low income. However, you may have to pay the money back depending on your situation.
  • More information can be found at Work and Income NZ or by calling 0800 559 009.

Support available from Inland Revenue

• If you’ve been impacted by the floods and are struggling to deal with your tax or payments, please contact your tax agent or accountant.
• If you have missed filing returns or are late on payments, you can ask Inland Revenue to grant relief from penalties.
• To assist farmers and growers Inland Revenue are exercising discretion in allowing early withdrawal from the income equalisation scheme.
• Inland Revenue has a range of support in place for affected individuals and families, customers and businesses affected by the floods.
• The Inland Revenue website also has information on managing financial difficulty and debt or phone 0800 473 566.

For initial help or updates on the farm, get in touch with your industry body:

• DairyNZ or 0800 4 324 7969
• Beef & Lamb or 0800 233 352
• Federated Farmers 0800 327 646
• Waimakariri District Council 
• Rural Support Trusts have local people who are trained to offer assistance and support. Their help is free and confidential. Phone 0800 787 254 or visit www.rural-support.org.nz.
• If you need help with clean up on your farm please register at Register for Clean Up Help 
• See also Environment Cantebury's rural community update page for information for farmers to respond to the flooding including dairy moving day, milk disposal and environmental compliance.
• See also advice from MPI on adverse events.

Support available from Inland Revenue

• If you’ve been impacted by the floods and are struggling to deal with your tax or payments, please contact your tax agent or accountant.
• If you have missed filing returns or are late on payments, you can ask Inland Revenue to grant relief from penalties.
• To assist farmers and growers Inland Revenue are exercising discretion in allowing early withdrawal from the income equalisation scheme.
• Inland Revenue has a range of support in place for affected individuals and families, customers and businesses affected by the floods.
• The Inland Revenue website also has information on managing financial difficulty and debt or phone 0800 473 566.

Water

Rural water supplies may have been compromised as a result of flooding. If there are any concerns about domestic water supplies, water should be boiled before drinking.

Rural finance

ANZ has announced a flood assistance package for Canterbury businesses and farmers.

Feed available/wanted

• Sourcing grazing
• Sourcing feed
• Have feed to sell or donate
• Have grazing available

For feed support services call 0800 FARMING or 0800 327 646 and follow the call prompts. Alternatively, refer to MPI information on feed support services for farmers during floods.

• If you rent your property and it has been damaged by the recent severe weather in Canterbury, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.
• If you are the tenant or landlord of a rental property, you can find information on your rights and obligations or phone 0800 836 262.

For accommodation support, including emergency accommodation, please contact your local council in the first instance.

The Ministry of Education supports all schools and early learning services in Canterbury to help them recover from the event. Parents and caregivers should check with their school or early learning service for updated information.

• Phone the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on 0800 008 333 to log any animal welfare concerns. MPI will follow up on animal welfare calls.

Veterinary services

• If your animals need veterinary treatment, contact your own veterinary clinic. If you do not have a regular veterinarian or yours is not open, you can find nearby clinics by going to Find-a-Vet on the New Zealand Veterinary Association website: www.nzva.org.nz

Pet food

• If pet food cannot be purchased at supermarkets, your veterinary clinic or stock and station agents, donated pet food may be available through the SPCA and other charities. For any requests, please contact 03 349 7057.
• View more information on pet welfare.

Livestock

• The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has support available if you need help sourcing supplementary feed or grazing for your livestock.
• The Feed Coordination Service connects farmers with surplus feed (such as hay, silage, or grazing) to farmers who need it.
• The Feed Planning Service connects farmers with an industry expert. We can help you do a ‘snapshot feed plan’ in 20 minutes. Getting a plan in place can help give you peace of mind.
• To access feed support, call 0800 327 646 and follow the voice prompts. Alternatively, you can visit  MPI's adverse events.

It is deeply appreciated that volunteers are willing to be part of this recovery. Volunteers are requested to register at Offers of Assistance Register.

• Government has approved the Enhanced Task Force Green Programme to assist with clean-up activities.
• This programme provides for job seekers to help with clearing debris and fences as well as other unskilled labour needs.
• If you are a farmer or grower that needs help, you can register your needs here. 
• This will allow all support agencies to understand your needs and who can best meet these.
• If you are a job seeker interested in helping with this programme, please contact The Ministry of Social Development on 0800 559 009.