Support offered to quake-hit business

Nelson businesses are more concerned with helping Christchurch recover than looking at what opportunities are in it for them, Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dot Kettle says.

"There's certainly a lot of concern about how best they can offer assistance."

Businesses were supportive of council moves to send planning staff to Canterbury and everyone was "very mindful it's going to be a very long, slow recovery", she said.

"It's likely to be years before some [Christchurch] businesses are back on their feet."

Ms Kettle expects it will affect the entire South Island tourism industry. She said the disaster should also serve as a reminder to Nelson businesses given this region was "technically" a higher earthquake risk than Canterbury.

They should be looking at whether they have appropriate insurance cover, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First