Earthquake: All Black captain's visit lifts spirits of town

All Black captain Richie McCaw talks to children from St Paul's School in Dallington. Photo / John McCombe

All Black captain Richie McCaw was in earthquake-hit Kaiapoi yesterday filming an advertisement to help traumatised earthquake victims.

The Ministry of Health campaign will also star Brad Thorn, Kieran Read and Cory Flynn and will tell people there is a phone number they can call if they are stressed from the earthquake, and advise who can help them.

McCaw was shown around part of devastated Kaiapoi yesterday by Jo Kane, who said workers were thrilled with the presence of not just the All Black captain but others who'd visited over the last week.

"I think what it does is [it] shows people they care and [it] lifts the morale of people," she said.

Kaiapoi was one of the hardest hit areas during last week's magnitude 7.1 earthquake. Cracks measuring up to 2m deep have opened in streets while houses have sunk and been flooded by dirt and sand and been left unliveable.

Chris Duncan, who is helping with the recovery, said McCaw mingled with volunteers and contractors.

"He shook a few hands. They were well received. It's something a bit different and gives people a bit of a lift."

Mr Duncan said the message from the campaign filmed yesterday was about keeping safe and helping each other through a stressful time.

McCaw also met children at St Paul's School in Dallington, whose school has been so badly damaged it will be demolished, and visited residents of Liggins St in Bexley to find out how they were coping.