Social support

The Ministry of Social Development made resources available immediately following the earthquake.

For the four months immediately after the quake, 28 staff members from around New Zealand provided additional case management support in Kaikōura, and to the Nelson and Canterbury regions. Case management included the assessment of people displaced from their properties for referral to temporary accommodation support.

Extra support was also provided through MSD for the clean-up in Kaikōura and surrounding areas following the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. Funding of $500,000 was approved to activate Enhanced Taskforce Green (ETFG), a temporary employment programme which helps councils to employ local jobseekers to support the clean-up operation.

MSD worked with regional and local councils, and local iwi to assist local people to target support to recovery from the effects of the earthquake.

As the recovery proceeded, MSD’s focus was assisting displaced residents who had additional accommodation costs. Accommodation Supplements and other emergency financial assistance are available to help.