Christchurch earthquake: Tears and hugs for refugees at airport

Melissa Harris had a hug and a coffee ready for her husband, Cameron, when he landed at Auckland Airport. Photo / Richard Robinson

Melissa Harris hugged her husband, Cameron, and had a cup of coffee waiting for him when he got off an Air New Zealand flight from Christchurch yesterday morning.

It was one of many emotional scenes at the domestic terminal of Auckland Airport as loved ones were reunited after the Christchurch earthquake.

Mr Harris said that when the quake struck on Tuesday, he was at Christchurch Airport about to board a plane.

"Everyone looked around and thought that a plane had gone down - it was that sort of rumble. Everyone dived under tables, everyone was screaming and crying," he said.

The Aucklander, who had gone south on business, said it was only once people got out to the carpark that they realised there had been a quake.

He and others got on a bus to try to find accommodation. There were three aftershocks during the bus ride, which he described as a "morbid bus tour".

Motels emptied their freezers and Mr Harris set up a BBQ to feed people on the street.

Barbara Taylor was on the same flight yesterday. She burst into tears as she hugged her sister-in-law Jenni McCree in the arrival lounge.

"It was all too much when I saw her beautiful face," Mrs Taylor said.

She said that when the quake struck, she was having lunch in her home in Kaiapoi.

"I couldn't believe it was happening again."

Mrs Taylor said she lost "precious things" including ornaments.

Bob and Sue Halloway were at Auckland Airport about to fly back to their hometown, where to their Fendalton residence had "swimming pools" inside.

Mr Halloway said the 30-year-old house survived September's quake "but this one is a bit different".

He was happy not to have been there during the shake. "It is just an absolute disaster."

Mrs Halloway said she and her husband were cutting short their Waiheke holiday to get home and assess the damage. "My son said that we have to turn around and live somewhere else."

Fellow Cantabrian Shay Textor was also on her way south, with 17-month-old Ruby. "We don't know what we're going home to today."

Ms Textor said her brother was staying at the house and slept under the table on Tuesday night.

"There is silt up the driveway and broken stuff in the house. The TV is broken."

Paul Albietz, a firefighter from Melbourne, was heading to Christchurch when the quake struck. He had planned to do some fly-fishing in Canterbury with his father, but now hopes to volunteer.

"Apparently Melbourne firefighters haven't sent anyone but I'm going to send them a message to see if I can help out," Mr Albietz said.

Anne-Marie Gallagher was heading home to support her elderly mother and was taking her dog Charlie.

"He's my little baby ... Mum will be happy to see him as well."

Ms Gallagher said her brother's home in Merivale was "trashed".

"I definitely don't want to be there ... but you need to."

Jean Snowden was on her way home last night. She said her daughter Alexis was due to give birth in three weeks and she hoped to pack her up and get her out of Christchurch. Her house was uninhabitable and she planned to sleep at work.

"The rolling hasn't stopped but at least everyone is helping out."

Ms Snowden said she was happy with Jetstar, despite her 1.30pm flight being cancelled and her being rebooked on a 7.30pm flight.

"At least I'll be at home today."

But not everyone was happy. Mike Berry had Jetstar tickets to Christchurch for a motorbike racing event before the quake. He phoned Jetstar to get the tickets put into the name of his sister, who lives in Christchurch and wanted to get out. Jetstar told him there would be a $50 charge.

"I wanted to do a good thing ... But the big corporation didn't," Mr Berry said.

Jetstar spokesman Gerard Blank said the $50 charge was standard and the airline was trying to be as flexible as possible.

HOW TO DONATE:

ANZ/NATIONAL
Donations can be made at ANZ branches or online to account number 01-1839-0188939-00. Also at National Bank branches or online to account number 06-0869-0548507-00. ANZ will donate $1 million in relief for assistance and it will match staff donations.

WESTPAC
The Westpac Canterbury Care Fund now has $1 million available to provide practical assistance for those in need, working with the Salvation Army. Donations can be made online to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal account number 03-0207-0617331-00, and through branches nationwide to the Salvation Army.

ASB
ASB has opened an account to receive donations: 12-3205-0146808-00

Donations can also be made at ASB branches nationwide, or via online banking.The bank is donating $1 million towards the fund.

BNZ
Donate online or at branches - 02-0500-0982004-000. BNZ has donated $1 million to the fund.

SALVATION ARMY
Donate to the Salvation Army appeal by calling 0800 530 000 or going to salvationarmy.org.nz

RED CROSS
Offers of goods and services should be made to the National Crisis Management Centre. Email: emergency.management@ncmc.govt.nz