Media release

Office of the Mayor

24 February 2011

Auckland support for Christchurch

Auckland Council is to give an immediate $1.5 million to the Canterbury earthquake relief effort.

The council asks Aucklanders to follow its lead and dig deep for the people of Christchurch.

“We have watched our fellow community with apprehension and grief. We send our love, care, concern, compassion and our prayers,” says the Mayor.

“We have sent Auckland Council staff to provide immediate resource and expertise. Now we want to continue our commitment to being part of this united national response by essentially giving $1 per Aucklander, to lead the way,” says Len Brown.

The council made an ongoing commitment to provide staff resources and expertise over the coming 12 months, and has requested Watercare and Auckland Transport do the same.

It has also requested that council staff and CCOs adjust contractual arrangements with suppliers where those suppliers are critical to emergency and rebuilding efforts.

Councillor Michael Goudie, chairperson of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee, says New Zealand has always been known for two degrees of separation and this is more evident than ever before.

“Aucklanders are already opening their homes to Christchurch evacuees, starting overnight last night when volunteers picked up hundreds of people flying into Auckland and gave them shelter. The focus for Auckland is on welfare. We have 36 flights coming into Auckland today.”

Further details on how Aucklanders can help with accommodation and assistance will be released later today.

Ends

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