Quake: Waimakariri curfew to remain

LATEST: Waimakariri's overnight curfew will remain in place until at least Monday, Civil Defence controller Bruce Thompson says.

Waimakariri District Council staff were continuing to assess buildings and roads in Kaiapoi and the nearby communities of Pines Beach and Kairaki following Saturday's 7.1 magnitude quake.

Contractors and volunteers were clearing tonnes of silt and debris from properties and streets, and the town centre opened for the first time since the quake today.

However, the reality was that it would take months, if not years, for Kaiapoi to recover, Mr Thompson said.

"While we are doing everything we can to restore services as quickly as possible, the broken pipes we are currently fixing will ultimately need to be replaced," he said.

"More large scale work will be needed to replace the pipes and mains, which mean there will be ongoing disruption for these communities for some months, and in some instances years, before our sewer and water systems are completely renewed."

Nearly 400 Kaiapoi and Pines Beach/Kairaki homes were under restricted access or were considered unsafe, while 97 had been red stickered, which meant residents had to leave them as they were uninhabitable.

Water had largely been restored to the area but residents must still boil it before using it. However, the sewerage scheme required major repairs.

The Waimakariri district's state of emergency would remain in place until at least next Wednesday.

NEW SPRINGS, WELLS AFTER QUAKE

Saturday's massive earthquake has resulted in changes to the groundwater beneath the Canterbury Plains, Environment Canterbury says.

"New springs have been observed, wells have shown marked increases in water level, spring-fed streams such as the Halswell River have risen markedly and increased turbidity (cloudiness) has been seen in some wells," spokesman Dr Tim Davie said.

"It is well known by scientists that earthquakes can, and frequently do, induce a response in groundwater that can be observed up to several hundred kilometres from the earthquake epicentre."

Scientists from GNS Science and Environment Canterbury were measuring the changes to get a better idea of what was permanent.

CHRISTCHURCH CORDONS TO BE LIFTED

The last of Christchurch's inner-city cordons should be lifted at 5am tomorrow, Mayor Bob Parker has announced.

There would still be some partial road closures for safety reasons but the Christchurch mayor told a media briefing that the majority of inner-city restricted access zones should go.

Meanwhile, he has confirmed offers of free air travel and accommodation have flooded in while companies and businesses nationwide have contributed millions of dollars to the city's earthquake relief fund.

Air New Zealand had offered 1000 free flights for Christchurch residents while Napier - the last New Zealand city to endure a major earthquake - has told Parker there is free accommodation available for Christchurch people.

Parker said he was grateful for the generous offers but he and others would have to sensibly work through how those offers are used.

"People everywhere are thinking of Christchurch. There is an immense feeling of goodwill,'' he said.

In other developments, Parker said every city house should have water by the end of the week. Council staff had repaired 280 water main leaks and faults.

But problems with wastewater in some badly affected suburbs would take longer to resolve.

In some places, wastewater systems had been "trashed'' and only existed "on a map.''

Parker praised the efforts of all staff and volunteers who put in an "incredible'' effort over the last five days.

POLICE RESPONSE

Parker's comments were echoed by Police Commissioner Howard Broad, who attended this afternoon's media briefing.

From a major calamity, the perception nationwide was that Christchurch had produced "an outstanding, seamless response''.

He was hugely proud of police staff from Christchurch and throughout the country who had responded to the needs of the city and region.

Superintendant Dave Cliff said the public had also responded, with most reported crime down about one-third on normal figures.

"People are pulling together,'' he said.

Incidents that were down included burglaries and vehicle thefts but Cliff said there had been a rise in reported calls of family violence as stressed families struggled to get through what was a very hard time for many.

Police received 15 reports of domestic violence yesterday - "a bit more than normal.''

"Be patient as you can be,'' he asked of the community.

He also warned tired residents to rest before considering driving.

Driver fatigue was a significant issue at all times but there was greater risk of it during the present situation.

ABs CAPTAIN: ASK FOR HELP

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been recruited to encourage stressed Cantabrians to seek help, one of a raft of new government measures that also include a $7.5m fund for community organisations.

The Minister in charge of the earthquake clean-up, Gerry Brownlee, this afternoon announced a suite of new measures to help clean up and rebuild Canterbury, struck by a magnitute 7.1 earthquake on Saturday.

He said local All Blacks McCaw, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read and Corey Flynn had been recruited to front an advertising campaign to let people know that if they were suffering trauma, there was a number they should call and there were people who could help.

"No one should be in any way reticent in coming forward. This has been a very fearful experience for a lot of people and I think all of us have been stopped in our track to some degree," Brownlee said.

Community organisations, facing increased demand after Saturday's earthquake, can draw on a new $7.5 million fund, social development minister Paula Bennett has said.

Social service providers will be eligible for grants of between $5,000 and $10,000, she said. Red tape would be cut to speed up the application process.

"We want to ensure that these groups can continue to provide vital social services and cope with increased demand," Ms Bennett said.

The Government yesterday promised $2.5m for trauma counselling, with an additional 34 counsellors arriving in Christchurch today. Environment Minister Nick Smith said the $10 a tonne waste levy on Canterbury landfills would be waived for earthquake waste.

The Government has appointed an rural emergency coordinator to oversee recovery efforts on quake-damaged farm properties, agriculture minister David Carter said.

RESIDENTS ABANDON UNSAFE HOMES

Nearly one hundred families in the hard-hit areas of Kaiapoi and Pines Beach will have to abandon their homes because the buildings are unsafe.

Kaiapoi and Pines Beach were severely damaged in Saturday's 7.1 magnitute quake.

Almost 400 houses in the area – a quarter of those assessed so far – are now under restricted access for either structural or sanitary reasons.

Waimakariri Civil Defence Controller, David Ayers said of those 400, 97 residential properties have been "red stickered", requiring residents to leave.

Another 270 properties have problems that are not considered serious enough to pose a health or safety issue, while 55 commercial premises are also either under restrictions or considered unsafe.

Some of those asked to leave their homes will be allowed back inside to gather possessions, but for some families, the structural damage will be too severe.

Families will need to work with Civil Defence before going inside their houses.

"Our initial assessments have only been to ensure the health and safety of residents in their homes," Mr Ayers said.

"That status can change if we are able to remedy the issue – by providing water or sewage options, for example, such as portaloos."

"Home owners whose properties have clearly suffered structural damage need now to begin the formal process for damage assessment. That must be done through the Earthquake Commission and their own insurance company."

Meanwhile, part of one of Christchurch's busiest roads, Riccarton Road has been closed because of concerns over the stability of two buildings.

Cordons had been placed at several intersections and traffic congestion is growing so motorists were being asked to find alternative routes.

One of the commercial buildings causing concern is at the intersection of Riccarton Rd, Straven Rd and Clarence Rd.

This building is having to be demolished. The second commercial building is on Riccarton Rd close to the intersection of Rotherham St and is likely to have to have its facade removed.

RIVER CONTAMINATED

Environment Canterbury is warning the lower reaches of the Waimakariri River have been contaminated as waste from the earthquake-hit region is diverted into the water.

To avoid further strain on the Christchurch sewage system, waste such as milk and alcohol from warehouses in the region has been diverted into the river.

Hazardous Substances co-ordinator Don Chittock said rather than the waste spilling over the ground and contaminating water supply, it was temporarily getting flushed out to sea.

"It's a short term solution. The river does have a fairly high flow and we're not putting any chemicals down there," Mr Chittock said.

"We don't want it to go through the sewerage system which is already full to capacity."

The waste is entering the river through a outfall near McLeans island.

The public are advised to avoid contact with any river and sea water, and to refrain from drinking the water or collecting fish or shellfish.

JOBS LOST

Canterbury has been hit with the first job losses as a result of Saturday's devastating quake, with 86 workers losing their jobs at Kaiapoi's New World supermarket.

The supermarket, which employs 34 full time and 52 part-time staff, has been severely damaged by Saturday's earthquake and will not re-open for at least a year.

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Kaiapoi, a town of about 10,000 near Christchurch, was badly hit by Saturday's 7.1 magnitute earthquake.

Foodstuffs said staff would receive full pay for two months and it would find them jobs in other supermarkets if they wanted to continue working for the company.

Foodstuffs chief executive Steve Anderson said the company was committed to rebuilding the supermarket but unfortunately for owners Andrew and Jacqui Palmer that would take a year.

"We are very distressed that the damage to the supermarket has meant we are unable to re-open and we are doing everything we can to help all of those affected."

WATER RESTRICTIONS RELAXED

Water in Christchurch no longer needs to be boiled, authorities have announced, after tests revealed no bacterial contamination.

The Emergency Operations Centre last night lifted its boil-water notice for Christchurch city, including Banks Peninsula.

Schools may today reopen as the requirement to boil water was the main reason they closed. However, it is likely most will open only for staff.

The relaxation of the restrictions followed three days of testing for the city's water, with more than 500 samples tested by city council and public health staff. The samples were all clear of bacterial contamination.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey said it was a "small step towards normality after such a difficult few days."

Water still needs to be boiled in the Waimakariri District, to the north of the city.

FAMILIES FLEE

Meanwhile, the wider South Island is welcoming Cantabrians fleeing the region to escape nerve-jangling aftershocks - including a clutch of five overnight.

There were five sizable shocks between midnight and 7am, ranging between magnitudes 3.5 and 4.5.

There have been three more since 9am, at magnitudes 3.2, 3.4 and 3.6.

Moteliers in Kaikoura reported Christchurch people arriving looking tired and on edge.

"The first thing they say is: 'Are you getting the aftershocks?'," one said.

Ritchies Intercity buses regional manager Malcolm Budd said the company had fielded desperate calls from people in tears.

"They are over it, sick of it. Since the big [aftershock] [yesterday] morning we've had an influx of calls from people wanting out of the city."

Kaikoura Gateway Motel operator Sue Wright said a group of more than 30 arrived yesterday without reservations and took 16 rooms.

Distraught families are fleeing Christchurch to escape relentless aftershocks, while others turn to counselling and medication to ease their panic.

Many parents are sending their terrified children out of town for respite in the wake of yesterday's shallow 5.1 magnitude aftershock – the strongest of more than 270 tremors above magnitude 3 since Saturday's quake.

Other frightened families are fleeing the city together, jamming roads, while those that remain are brought to tears by jolting aftershocks or loud noises such as passing trucks.

Darfield woman Rachel Hood was sending daughters Izra, 3, and Jasmine, 1, to stay with their grandmother in Wellington "so they can have a decent sleep and relax".

"I just don't want traumatised kids for the rest of their lives so I'm sending them away before it gets worse," she said at Christchurch Airport.

Izra had been affected by the shaking and was misbehaving, Ms Hood said.

"They're not happy. They don't sleep a lot."

The constant aftershocks meant it was impossible to relax. "With an earthquake, it just goes [on] and it's constant ... and you don't know when it's going to stop and you can go back to normal."

"They're just tired. They just need that little bit of distance so they can get some sleep."

Child psychologist Fran Vertue said she had given "crisis intervention" counselling to several clients.

Children's reactions "will depend entirely on how the parents are reacting", she said.

"Children look to the parents to see if the world is safe or not. It is critical that parents are calm. Don't have children around when you're panicking."

Christchurch counsellor Pablo Godoy said continual aftershocks were making it hard for people to cope.

"For instance, we had a young person come in. A truck drove past and that rattled the room a little bit – that triggered their fear response."

Sales of sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs and treatments have rocketed as jittery, stressed and sleep-deprived residents seek medicinal aid.

Kaiapoi Crossing Pharmacy's Christine Webb said the business had been selling about five to 10 times the usual amount of temazepam sleeping pills, lorazepam anti-anxiety medication and other anti-anxiety remedies.

"People are very, very traumatised, upset and exhausted," she said. "We had an 80-year-old man burst into tears here. It's just tragic."

STATE OF EMERGENCY

Civil Defence officials have extended the state of emergency for at least another seven days, and damage estimates have doubled to $4 billion.

- Stuff, The Press, The Dominion Post and NZPA