Business steps up to help earthquake victims

Fonterra lent tankers normally used to transport milk to be used for water delivery for Christchurch earthquake relief. Photo / Supplied

Do you know of any other NZ businesses helping out? Email us here

As Christchurch awoke to a billion dollar aftershock of destruction following Canterbury's magnitude 7.1 earthquake, stories began to emerge of businesses dropping the naked pursuit of profits and trying to do their bit to help out.

A database allowing businesses and organisations wanting to offer help to easily get in touch with those needing it is being set up today, in association with the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce.

The website Recover Canterbury has also been set up as a central information page for business.

A call centre is also now available for businesses to call for advice:
- 03 366 5096.


Some examples of businesses offering help:

* Room4Rent is offering dozens of homestay options on its website for those affected by the earthquake.

* Sydenham company BVT Consulting is offering businesses the use of its office space for one month, free of charge. The company also has civil engineers who are able to assess damage to homes and commercial buildings. The service is free of charge to those people who are not covered by insurance.

* Communications company Servcorp is offering businesses caught up in the quake, a complimentary phone line with a messaging service, where calls can be directed and answered for those who are unable to man their office.

* SpringFresh water from Tai Tapu is dropping off free bottled water throughout Christchurch this afternoon.

* There's a number of IT companies offering help and assistance to Christchurch businesses trying to get up and running after the earthquake. Details here at geekzone.

* Residents of quake-devastated Christchurch are being offered free use of payphones as Telecom works to restore telephone services through the region. Telecom said it had made payphones in and around Christchurch free for local, national and mobile calls.

* A dairy owner in the Christchurch suburb of Hoon Hay opened his shop early to give away milk and sell batteries below cost to needy customers.

Local woman Shirley Homer, who was caught without batteries for a torch during the power cut that followed the earthquake, said she went to the dairy expecting prices to be at a premium.

Instead she was impressed to find Patel was giving his stock away.

"He would only take $2 for these two big batteries, and he gave the people behind me two bottles of milk for free," she said.

* Kiwi clothing design and manufacturing company Toi Design are offering free rainwear to affected young victims, until available supplies run out.

* Federated Farmers says many farmers have lent resources and help to their fellow farmers, including allowing neighbour's cows to use milking sheds.

* Dairy giant Fonterra lent some of their tankers be used for water transport.

Many other New Zealand businesses have contributed money to the Christchurch earthquake relief fund.