More than 1000 claims following recent Christchurch earthquake

Godley Head on Banks Peninsula wreathed in dust after a 5.7 earthquake. Photo / Andy Winneke

More than 1000 claims have been lodged with the Earthquake Commission following the latest Canterbury quake.

The magnitude 5.7 jolt on Sunday afternoon was followed by almost 500 claims to cover damage in 24 hours.

As of 12.30pm today, the commission had received 1169 claims. The commission covered earthquake damage to homes, contents and residential land.

As of 10am, GNS had recorded 10 aftershocks in Canterbury in 24 hours. The largest one was at 2.53am and was magnitude 3.

Earthquake Commission chief executive Ian Simpson said it was too early to speculate the final number of claims or total cost of damage. People must have had a home or contents fire-insurance policy on their home at the time of the quake to make a claim. Claims must be lodged by May 16.

Just one lane of a single Christchurch street is closed because of the quake. One lane of Madras St was shut this morning because of damage to a derelict building.

A Christchurch City Council spokeswoman said more details about the council's response to the quake would be released soon.

Meanwhile, Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates said community mental health services would be need needed more than ever in the region.

It is just under a week until the fifth anniversary of the February 22 quake, which killed 185 people and injured thousands.

"Our collective well-being as Cantabrians is variable, with some taking it in their stride while for others this will be a major setback in their personal recovery," Mr Meates said.

The health board would be supporting mental health services to respond to the needs of the community, he said.

The Burwood Hospital birthing unit is closed for further inspections and its hydrotherapy pool is closed for minor repair work .

A 10km-deep magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck 160km southwest of Snares Islands, below Stewart Island, at 8.28am this morning. GNS seismologist John Ristau said it was unrelated to the Canterbury quake.

• People can lodge claims with the Earthquake Commission at eqc.govt.nz/claims, via email on info@eqc.govt.nz, or by calling 0800 DAMAGE (326 243)

Tips for coping with the quakes

• Reach out to people: Talk to your family, friends and neighbours

• Don't stop doing normal things like walking in the park and working in the garden - focus on the immediate good things in your life, it's often the little things that matter most

• Acknowledge how you feel and reflect on past experiences, good and bad

• Keep your activity patterns healthy, watch your diet and resist the urge to binge

• If you're not coping, seek advice from your GP or call the Canterbury Support Line on 0800 777 846

Source: Canterbury District Health Board