Plea for hosts to offer holiday homes

A Nelson holiday-home owner is laying down the challenge for the whole South Island to open up their holiday homes for earthquake-hit Canterbury folk.

Fiona Newey, who lives in Golden Bay but has a holiday house in central Nelson, is asking other South Islanders with holiday homes to offer a deal for a week's free accommodation to give people time out from the quake-damaged region.

She has emailed accommodation providers booka bach.co.nz and holiday houses.co.nz to ask those who advertise with them to put on a deal for Canterbury people. She said the websites offered about 1300 houses across the South Island.

"These holidays are not a time of high bookings, so I'm sure people can afford to let someone use it for a week, especially if it is not going to be used otherwise."

Ms Newey said she thought if it was done in the right spirit, there would be no trouble with people trying to exploit the offer.

"I want to get a groundswell. This is a challenge to other owners that if someone needs to get away, then they have somewhere to go," she said.

She likened the constant aftershocks to a "hammer over their heads".

"How horrible would that be?"

Homeowners could put deals on the websites for a limited time, she said. The only cost would be cleaning sheets and towels.

"This will just let parents and families get on with getting their lives together," Ms Newey said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Peter@Bookabach   #8   07:41 pm Sep 14 2010

Facility for offering bach stay deals for earthquake-rattled Cantabrians now up and running on Bookabach.

Cantabrians see: http://www.bookabach.co.nz/canterbury-earthquake/guests/

Bach owners see: http://www.bookabach.co.nz/bachchat/resources/view/how-to-put-up-an-offer-for-affected-cantabrians/

Sonya   #7   10:00 am Sep 10 2010

That is such a lovely offer Fiona. Its so nice to hear how people outside of chch are willing to help us out like this. I too have considered leaving town for a few nights with my little girl and being heavily pregnant, and we are getting no sleep at night in fear of what may or may not happen everytime I close my eyes. I have also noticed alot of the one day deal websites have put up 'make a $5 donation to chch'. This would help tremendously! Its so reassuring to know that most new zealanders are so caring. Thank you everyone xoxo

Sandy   #6   09:05 pm Sep 09 2010

Sandy Excellent idea. Well Done Fiona

Lisa Fowler   #5   08:57 pm Sep 09 2010

Brilliant! I had a similar thought and have started a facebook page along the same lines. Have opened my home up to any Cantabrians needing to get away from it all, and challenged others to do the same. I also know of a couple of others doing the same.

http://www.facebook.com/lisafowler.nz#!/pages/Accommodation-for-Earthquake-Stricken-Cantabrians/145384008830555?ref=mf

Susan   #4   08:30 pm Sep 09 2010

I've heard so many stories of people who are nerve-racked and can't sleep for fear of the next aftershock. The perfect offering for our fellow Kiwis. Who knows - it could be any other part of NZ next!

Misty   #3   04:06 pm Sep 09 2010

Its an excellent idea, a lot of the more stressed people just plainly are not sleeping, a week of good sleep, and just being right out of it will help them heaps.

K.Chapman   #2   02:48 pm Sep 09 2010

That's a fantastic idea. The ongoing after shocks must be really taking it toll on folk down there. A break would be a welcome relief.

Sharon   #1   01:28 pm Sep 09 2010

What a lovely idea Fiona!

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