Important phone numbers and websites

Contacting Housing New Zealand

The best way to talk to us is through our free phone 0800 801 601 which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you require emergency accommodation

If you are in need of temporary accommodation, please call us on 0800 435 700 for assistance or register online at the Canterbury Temporary Accommodation Service website.

Recovery Assistance Centres

Recovery Assistance Centres have been set up throughout the city for the community to easily access welfare services. The Centres provide information, as well as access to Victim Support, Inland Revenue, City Housing, Housing New Zealand, Work and Income, counselling and budgeting services. The centres are currently located at:

• Linwood Community Link - 154 Aldwins Road, Linwood
• Wainoni Aranui Recreation Centre - 31 Hampshire Street, Wainoni
• Parklands Baptist Church - 180 Queenspark Drive, Parklands
• St Faiths Hall - 46 Hawke Street, New Brighton
• Nga Hau e Wha Marae - 250 Pages Road, Aranui
• Delta Community Trust - 105 North Avon Road, Richmond
• Lyttelton Recreation Centre - 25 Winchester Street, Lyttelton
• Sydenham Community Centre - 23-25 Hutcheson Street, Sydenham
• Mt Pleasant Yacht Club - 41 Main Road, Mt Pleasant
• Old Boys’ Collegian Cricket Pavilion - Hagley Oval, South Hagley Park

All Recovery Assistance Centres are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 4pm. Locations are subject to change, please visit the Ministry of Social Development for up-to-date information on locations and opening hours.

Recovery Information Kiosks

Nine Recovery Information Kiosks have also opened throughout Christchurch. The kiosks are unmanned; these are places where people can pick up information on where they can get help. The kiosks are at:

• Waipuna Youth and Community Trust - 349 Woodham Road, Linwood
• Delta Trust - 105 North Avon Road, Richmond
• Aranui Seventh Day Adventist Church - corner Pages Road and Rowan Avenue, Bexley
• Aranui Heartlands - 37 to 45 Hampshire Street, Aranui
• South Christchurch Library - 66 Colombo Street, Beckenham
• Christchurch Bishopdale Library - 13 Bishopdale Court, Bishopdale Shopping Centre
• Little River Library - State Highway 75, Little River
• Akaroa Heartland Service Centre - 39 Rue Lavard, Akaroa

Where to find help from other government services

In addition to the housing assistance above, remember that there is a wide range of other government support services available to you. For details you can go to the Canterbury Earthquake website.

Emergency assistance
Call the Christchurch Earthquake Government Helpline on 0800 779 997 for information and emergency financial support. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Civil Defence payments
Civil Defence payments are available for a range of circumstances, such as if you have had to leave your home due to the earthquake. Payments can help with accommodation costs, purchase of essential and emergency items and loss of income. Call 0800 779 997.

Financial assistance
Ministry of Social Development had a list of options for financial assistance for people affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

Support and counselling services
There is a range of free support and counselling services available. For someone to talk to, call 0800 777 846.

Māori and Pacific support
For Iwi, Māori and Pacific support enquiries, call Te Runanga O Ngaitahu - 0800 524 8248, or visit their website, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Ethnic services
Support, advice and links to services to help new migrants and refugees are available on the settlement support helpline on 0800 776 948 (0800 SSNZ4U). Language Line is also available on the Government Helpline on 0800 779 997.

Medical assistance
For emergencies dial 111. Telephone your general practice for general medical assistance. If medical assistance is required after-hours, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.

Further information and resources
The Canterbury Earthquake website run by Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council has put out a quick list of resources and information for people affected by the Canterbury earthquake, Christchurch Earthquake Response list, (PDF, 289 KB).

This list is also available in different languages. Visit the Canterbury Earthquake website for details.