Nicky Wagner MP - Blog

Aftershock! Christchurch Earthquake 2010 Update Tuesday 7th September, 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:15:45 +1200

Just when things were beginning to look up – more aftershocks!!! But all city support services are activated and we are making progress on repairing infrastructure and getting households and businesses back to normal.

Power Supply- virtually everyone has got the power back.
Water Supply- 90% of households on-line but we should still be boiling water for 3 minutes.

IF YOU NEED HELP: Main phone numbers

• EQC 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243).
• Government helpline 0800 779 997
• Healthline (24 Hours) 0800 611 116
• Christchurch City Council helpline 03 941 8999
• Emergency services 111

Earthquake Commission (EQC)

The EQC 0800 number is being inundated with calls and it can be very hard to get through. You might want to use the online claim form. There is a three-month window to lodge a claim from the date that the damage occurred.

How to make a claim

• Claims can be lodged with EQC by calling free on 0800 326 243 at any time.
• Claims can also be lodged online at: https://cms.eqc.co.nz/claimcenter/cms/public/fnol.form
• People have three months to lodge a claim from the time the event occurred.
• When calling EQC, staff will ask you who you are insured with and for your idea of the extent of damage. Staff will then let you know whether someone will call to help with your claim, or whether you can go ahead and get the repair done. We will follow this up in writing.
• If you are unsure about your insurance cover, please call us anyway and we will do all we can to check it for you.
• For more information online on making a claim with EQC go to:

http://www.eqc.govt.nz/insurance/householdersguide.aspx

Am I covered by the Earthquake Commission?

• If you have current home and/or contents insurance, you also have the Earthquake Commission’s cover.
• EQC covers damage to residential property caused by earthquake, landslip, tsunami, volcanic eruption, hydrothermal activity, storm or flood (land only – not the property on it), fire following any of the above. (* Residential property is your home, its contents and the land immediately surrounding the dwelling (within limits).

What should I do about the mess & damage to my property?

• If possible take photos before moving anything.
• You can make temporary repairs for safety or to prevent further damage or discomfort.
• You can get essential services like toilets and water systems repaired immediately but keep everything the repairer replaces (and keep a copy of the bill).
• You can clean up spillages or crockery and glass breakages (but don’t throw anything not perishable away yet).
• You can dispose of perishables like ruined or spilt food. (List the items as you bury, burn or dump them).

Social Development

The Ministry of Social Development General help line: 0800 779997

People calling the helpline can get information on income support, housing options, health issues, community assistance, clean-up and how to contact any other services people may need.

• Work and Income and Child, Youth and Family staff will be operating out of all the Civil Defence welfare centres in Christchurch providing emergency assistance to people.
• As soon as the Work and Income and Child, Youth and Family offices have been structurally assessed as safe, those premises will open.
• All standard appointments for Work and Income and Child, Youth and Family in Christchurch sites for this week have been cancelled.
• Benefits and superannuation will continue to be paid to people regardless.
• The welfare centres are located at Linwood college, Burnside High School, Addington Raceway, Kaipoi Nth School.

Anyone requiring emergency financial assistance can phone the Work and Income contact centre 0800 559 009.

Education providers
• All schools in Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn districts are closed to students until Wednesday 8 September.
• It may be that other schools and boards decide to remain closed until they are satisfied that structures and sanitation are safe.
• All licensed centre based ECE services in Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council and Selwyn District Council areas are closed until the end of Tuesday 7 September 2010.
• Canterbury University and Lincoln University are closed and are due to re-opening on Monday 13th September.
• The Ministry of Education will make a further announcement later today about the possible ongoing closure of schools and ECE services.
Further updates are available at – www.minedu.govt.nz/CanterburyEarthquake

Landlords and tenants
If a rental property has been so seriously damaged as to be unsafe or uninhabitable, section 59 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 states that the rent stops and tenants can give 2 days notice to terminate the tenancy. The landlord can give 7 days notice to terminate the tenancy.

If the premises are partially destroyed, or part of the premises are so seriously damaged as to be unsafe or uninhabitable then the rent stops accordingly and either party can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal for an order terminating the tenancy.

Landlords or tenants with concerns can call 0800 TENANCY - 0800 83 62 62 for advice.

Health warnings
It’s important to heed public health messages over the next days and weeks including:

• Boil water for three minutes before drinking, brushing teeth or washing/preparing food.
• Use as little water as possible to flush your toilet if you have water.
• Remember hand washing stops diseases spreading.
• Look after each other - keep in touch with families, friends and neighbours and support each other.
• Avoid contact with sewage. Don't gather fish or shellfish in the sea or from Canterbury rivers.
• If you are unwell with a minor injury or illness and need medical assistance call your general practice or nearest after-hours surgery. Please keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only. If you need an ambulance call 111.

For Further information contact my office- I would be pleased to hear from you.

All the best
Nicky

Earthquake Update!

nospam@example.com (admin) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 21:45:03 +1200

Hi Everyone,

Now that most of us have got power back and therefore email I thought I would sent you a earthquake update. And also the latest on infrastructure progress.

Like everyone else in the city I had a shocking awakening on Saturday morning- although luckily because I live in a newish house damage was only cosmetic. Just a bit of broken crockery and pictures off the wall.

After picking my way through the rubble strewn streets in the pitch black I was down at the Regional Civil Defence by 5.30am and they were already up and running. Then onto the City Council where Bob and his team were also underway and the Art Gallery emergency centre was being set up. Everywhere I went calm professionals were just getting on with the job. Although one told me - she believes that Civil Defence Workers are like ducks- "they glide along the surface making everything look effortless but underneath they are paddling like hell."

After seeing some of the damage in the city of course we were expecting the worst in terms of fatalities but none were immediately reported. On the behest of the Minister of Health Tony Ryall I visited both Accident and Emergency and St John Ambulance- again just quiet efficiency and getting on with the job. By lunchtime it was becoming evident that miraculously no-one had been killed, plenty of cuts, bruises and breaks and even a couple of people in Intensive Care but unbelievably not the casualty numbers that we have learned to expect with an earthquake of this magnitude.

I spent some time yesterday afternoon with the Mayor Bob Parker, the Prime Minister, Gerry Brownlee and David Carter looking at the worst parts of the city and making sure that the city had enough resources to many the situation. We were shown the whole extent of the damage, buildings, roads, bridges, broken pipes and sewerage and some of the areas where houses are uninhabitable. The Prime Minster has promised the Mayor all the assistance the city needs and assured him that the Earthquake Commission has plenty of funds available to pay out claims.

And Cantabarians has responded in true can-do Canterbury fashion to the emergency. There has been widespread volunteering and genuine goodwill in neighbourhoods across the province. Professionals and volunteers have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and restore essential services. Staff in all service organisations have fronted up. Many have volunteered to come in on days off or start their shifts early.

Neighbours have done their bit. Dozens of times I have heard people say that they have met, and helped, neighbours that they have never known before. In fact, many have really gone the extra mile, locals were able to shop just hours after the quake at the Wairakei Road Supervalue because neighbours had mucked in for several hours in the dark to help the owners clean up and restack shelves.

Everyone has done their bit and I have to say that right now I feel really proud to be a Cantabrian.

Latest Civil Defence Information

More than a thousand people have called the Government’s earthquake helpline for assistance. The 0800 double seven – triple nine – seven helpline has been operating since 4pm yesterday. Staff answering calls have provided advice and referrals for 1,070 people affected by yesterday’s massive earthquake.

People calling the helpline can get information on income support, housing options, health issues, community assistance, clean-up and how to contact any other services people may need.

The helpline, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Development’s Work and Income service, will run 24 hours a day.

Building Evaluation

The team have assessed about half of the cordoned-off area of the central city. The road cordons will be lifted as soon as Police and Civil Defence are satisfied that the area is safe.

The buildings which have been assessed have colour-coded notices placed on them to show their status following the earthquake.

Commercial buildings in the city are being given a safety status of either Green, Yellow or Red - with Red meaning no occupation and Green having no restriction on occupancy.

The assessment teams are advising owners also to engage a structural engineer if they have any doubts on the building.

The status notices are as follows:

GREEN: Building inspected and no restriction on occupancy based on the inspection. You may still want to get the building checked by a structural engineer.

YELLOW: Restricted Use - no entry except on essential business. The advice for the owners of these buildings is to get the building checked by structural engineers. Entry only for essential purposes like damage assessment, making safe or as indicated on the check boxes.

RED: Do not enter or occupy - building is seriously damaged and unsafe based on our inspection. This is not a demolition order. The advice for the owners of these buildings is to get the building checked by structural engineers and not to enter or allow entry to the building.

Power Supply

Orion tells me that they have now restored power supply to approximately 95% of their customers.

One of the reasons for the delays in some areas is that we have to thoroughly check our network equipment to ensure that further damage won’t be caused when we turn the power back on.

It may be 2-3 days before power can be restored to some customers. In extreme cases, where a single home or business is still without power in an area where power has otherwise been restored, it may take 4 or 5 days.

Orion has worked hard to engineer its network to be resilient in these kinds of events, and as a result no major network assets were seriously damaged by the quake, meaning power has been restored reasonably rapidly in many areas.

Due to the fact that none of our major equipment failed, customers still affected by power cuts are in pockets scattered across the network, rather than being concentrated in a few specific areas.

Water Supply

Managing water supplies and waste water is our biggest challenge especially in the East of the city. Yesterday engineers identified over 100 breaks in the system and they are actively working their way through those breaks. Wherever water is still unable to be reticulated tanker trucks are available.

All sewerage pumping stations are now operational and the sewerage treatment plant is in operation. But people are still asked to boil water for three minutes until testing proves that it is safe.

However, the system is delicate and people are still being asked to conserve water and to minimise flushing.

Solid Waste

All rubbish collections and services will be available this week.

Food Availability

Most supermarkets will be open tomorrow.

School Closures

Schools and early childhood centres in Christchurch, Waimakariri, and Selwyn districts will be closed until Wednesday following Chief Medical Officer of Health advising all public buildings are to remain closed until Wednesday.

School closures are advisable in the best interests of safety and continued assessment of school property.

Welfare Centres

These are open at Linwood High School, Addington Raceway and Burnside High School. If you need any help just come along. I will be working at Linwood tonight.

Local information

Call the City Council Helpline – 941-8999

Finally- some tips on getting your insurance claims underway

Make sure your property is secure.
Contact the Earthquake Commission if necessary – 0800 652 333 ( this body pays the first $100,000 of any claim.)
Remove any water damaged property.
Take photographs.
Consult your insurance agent asap.

I hope you all sleep well tonight!

All the best for the new week

Video update

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:22:00 +1200

I love daffodils- they are the first bright faces of Spring!

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:38:51 +1200

Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society's annual flagship event and one of the most important fundraising and awareness campaigns in the country. With 1 in 3 New Zealanders affected by cancer it is important that we all support it generously. Donations go towards vital scientific research into the causes and treatment of all types of cancer, as well as providing a wide range of support services, to reduce cancer risk, and support people affected by cancer.

Video Update

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:02:27 +1200

Nicky talks about events happening in Parliament, specifically the "Big A Awards" - Arts Access Awards.

Continue reading "Video Update"

Big ‘A’ Awards Awesome

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:33:34 +1200

It’s always great to recognize people who are doing special things. Last week the Big ‘A’ Awards 2010 celebrated some awesome creative work. The Awards were presented by Arts Access Aotearoa, which acts as a catalyst in promoting artistic opportunities for some of our most vulnerable groups, the disability sector, disconnected youth, mental health service users, disadvantaged migrants, refugees and prisoners.

There were four major winners Toi Ora Live Art Trust of Auckland won the Big ‘A’ Creative space Award. Each term more than 130 people attend classes in their community Arts Centre. The judges were impressed by Toi Ora Live Arts Trust’s “wow factor”. It has a strong public profile, a list of awards and achievements and offers a wide range of art forms and programmes in its new premises.

The Big ‘A’ Community Partnership Award went to Enliven Longview Rest Home, Society of St Vincent de Paul and Vinnies of St Francis Xavier School and St Francis Xavier School of Tawa in Wellington. These three organizations created opportunities for an inter-generational exchange of ideas and creativity between the residents of the Rest Home and the children of St Francis Xavier School. Projects have included crafts, musical and dance performances, storytelling and oral histories

The Big ‘A’ Prison Art leadership Awards went to Robyn Hughes, a long term and enormously respected art tutor at Auckland Prison. Robyn has been an art tutor at the prison for 17 years. She is totally dedicated to developing prisoners artistic talent and has had some stunning success. Her positive influence cans be seen in the murals around Auckland Prison and in the changing attitudes in the men she works with.

The Big ‘A’ Winton and Margaret Bear Young Artist Award went to Duncan Armstrong from Wellington. Duncan has not let Down syndrome stop him performing, succeeding academically or pursuing his goal of a career in the Arts. Duncan is a drummer, dancer, actor and kapa haka performer. We were treated to a glimpse of his work when his band ‘Mr Handsome’ played “I get by with a little help from my friends” It was brilliant!

FIBRE AND FLEECE STARS - OPOTIKI

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:49:02 +1200

Dot Wilson of Opotiki has created the fabulous “fibre and fleece’ event which showcases textile and fashion designers from across the country.

It’s a great entertainment. A fast-paced well presented evening of colour, texture and creative innovation.

Fibre and Fleece 2010 is the 13th showing of a well attended, well supported and obviously well loved event.

There were so many spectacular garments, my favourites were “Out of Africa” a merino knitted coat embellished with felted pieces, with a dress, petticoat, gloves and accessories by Laurel Judd of Napier, “Blue Harakeke” a dress with päua embellishment by Bev Vellenoweth of Maraenui, and “Oak Man” a wooden trench coat of oak timber veneer and possum skin by Mark Bruce of Opotiki

I represented the local MP Hon Anne Tolley at the show and was delighted to support such an entertaining and successful event. Congratulations to everyone in Opotiki involve in the event, it is a show to be proud of.

Canterbury Waterways

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:39:11 +1200

This morning I attended the launch of the new Waterways Centre- for Freshwater Management. The Hon Dr Nick Smith, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Climate Change Issues acknowledged the importance of this joint initiative between Canterbury and Lincoln Universities which creates a centre for excellence in water resource education and research.

As someone who has been involved in water management and knows how difficult it is, I see this centre as hugely valuable. Everyone in Canterbury is keen to see the better management of water quality and water allocation. To get it right we require better regulation, stronger institutions and improved knowledge and skills and this initiative will underpin future work. It's strength is its collaborative cross discipline approach. The new centre will bring together the engineering, agricultural, geology, environmental and geography disciplines of the Universities to help provide the necessary research and skills base to help New Zealand better manage water.

To help kick start the project the Government is contributing $1 million to the Centre and is particularly pleased that both Lincoln and Canterbury Universities are involved- there are real synergies between the Universities that can be exploited in the centre.

The Waterways centre is a great step forward for the management of water in Canterbury and it needs to be seen alongside the Land and Water Forum process, the Government’s decisions to appoint commissioners at Environment Canterbury, the mandatory requirement for irrigators to install water meters, the development of stronger national standards with a new Environmental Protection Authority and tougher penalties and enforcement of water quality standards.

Professor Jenny Webster- Brown is the new Director of the Centre and I liked her comment that it was time to roll up the sleeves and get on with the job.

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:02:38 +1200

On a recent visit to Wanganui businesses with local MP Chester Borrows, we visited Katie Brown in the Chronicle Art Studio where she produces stunning glass work and teaches the art. She helped me to make a paper weight which was quite a thrill - to have something that I helped make with the pleasure of being creative (even with your hand firmly held) and having something to show for it, is just wonderful. You can see the paperweight in pride of place on my office desk!!

Launch of the 2010 ST Thomas’s Young Enterprise scheme.

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:47:07 +1200

Whatever Enterprise NZ projects St Thomas’s do - they do it well!!

Over years they have come up with some fabulous products – several have been to do with cars, and monitoring anti-social road user behavior, There has been books, cookies, hats – or sorts and they have often been recognized in the Young Enterprise awards. But there is another dimension to the businesses that the boys of St Thomas’s set up.

They also have a social responsibility component - in making their Salam biscuits they brought young people of different religious groups together. The book they wrote was aimed at breaking down racial barriers and encouraging better literacy. The hats and clothes were made of eco friendly materials. So what social dimension will the product we are seeing today have?

Intriguing because the “commercial sensitivity” around the product. We can only guess what it might be…..

I looked at the name Oceanic Fusion- with all the excitement around the All White and their representations of Oceania – I thought it was a great name and good timing.

The Fusion- which that hints of exciting and interesting results. Like the Asian pacific fusion food that New Zealand is getting known for?

So Oceanic Fusion you have caught my imagination - and I am looking forward to hearing more about your business.

Congratulations to the team involved in their project- it’s a always a big effort creating their companies, and congratulations to St Thomas’s for supporting such an active, exciting and successful programme.

SPEECH TO THE OPENING OF MY NEW OFFICE at 222 BEALEY AVENUE

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:06:45 +1200

Welcome everyone to my new office.

I want to especially welcome the Prime Minister back to his hometown, Mayor Bob Parker and his wife Joanna, Rodd Carr from the University of Canterbury, Peter Beck the Dean of Christchurch and Peter Townsend Chair of the Employers Chamber of Commerce.

Opening this office is another in the master plan to make Christchurch a better, brighter city of opportunity by turning it BLUE!.

When I first go seriously involved with National, at the turn of the century, Christchurch proudly called itself “the Socialist Republic of Christchurch”. It was a safe Labour town under a Labour government and consequently while Helen Clark lavished her money and her attention of more marginal constituencies across the country – Christchurch was neglected.

After almost a decade of Labour party neglect we have been left with some of the worst social problems and poorest neighbourhoods in the country.

Back in 2002 the city was dominated by Labour MPs – but is has changed rapidly as Christchurch people aspire to a better future, and want better services and more opportunities.

In 2005 we increased to 4 MPs in the city and in 2008 6 MPs working actively in and around Christchurch.

6 hard-working MPs – making a difference. And what a difference – in the last 18 months National has delivered more to this city than the Labour government did in the last 9 years.

We’ve invested in infrastructure, new roads, new schools, the AMI stadium (I would like to not that Christchurch was the first city to be ready and waiting to the Rugby World Cup!)
And in ultra-fast broadband.

We’ve invested in our people, especially over the recent recessionary period – we’ve worked had to keep people in work and with Jobs Ops and Community Max programmes especially focussed on young people – who are so often the casualties of a tough job market. We’ve taken steps to make the city safer.

Before the election 400 people packed into the Town Hall calling for action on crime – especially “inner-city crime and boy racers’ And we have delivered on both – I cant claim a peaceful paradise yet – but there have been dramatic improvements in boy-racer behaviour – encouraged perhaps by Hon Judith Collins’s threat of car crushing – and a police report after strong focus of police on the streets – improvements in public place violence.

As an ex-teacher I am delighted that National standards have been introduced and are helping to raise educational expectations.

And in Health we have produced monitoring tables so the public can see how the District Health Boards are performing. You’ll be pleased to know that Canterbury DHB is performing well on many of the indicators. And last year we delivered the largest ever increase in elective surgery – things like hip replacement, cataract removals and ear, nose and throat surgery.

We’ve also delivered a solution to manage the Leaky Home problem an issue that just continued to fester under Labour. And I know that many of my constituents are very pleased about this.

On the environmental front – the warm Home Insulation programme has been well received in our ‘chilly’ city and despite what some protesters will say the appointment of Commissioners to manage ECAN is a very positive step for the management of water. We all understand that water management must be sustainable le in the long term but under ECAN there was no water plan so no way of protecting water quality or preventing the over allocation of water. We also understand the need for water storage – firstly to restore our river flows and ensure water quality and secondly to green our plains and support a wide diversity of agricultural production;

ECAN was hopelessly bogged down in this issue “excuse the pun” but the Commissioners now have the skills, and the tools to deliver the community based Canterbury Water management Strategy which the vast majority of stakeholders ‘including the protesters’ support.

Finally, our recent budget provided the biggest reform for 25 years – it was designed to encourage savings and investments, to help keep skilled New Zealanders in the country and to help families get ahead. Everyone will benefit from the tax cuts because more money in your pocket gives more choices and more opportunities.

So Prime Minister, as you can see Christchurch is pretty pleased with how you and your government is delivering for us. But now that we are on a roll, please don’t forget us….. we’re keen to develop our convention centre, grow our businesses, support our arts and - and - and ….because we’re building a better city here.

Vidovdan – the 621st anniversary of the Kosovo Battle.

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:34:31 +1200

One thing I particularly enjoy as a Member of Parliament is becoming involved in the different ethnic groups in Christchurch.

Yesterday, I attended a Vidovdan Recital – a celebration of the greatest national day in Serbian history, Vidovdan – the 621st anniversary of the Kosovo Battle.

It was presented by the Serbian Orthodox Church, St Nicholas Missionary Synaxis, Christchurch and Musical Balkanica Choir of Christchurch.

The Battle of Kosovo was exceptionally significant not only for Serbia, but also for Europe and European Christian civilization.

It was wonderful to hear the story, listen to the music, and feel the emotion still fresh 621 years later.

For me, the translation and audio visual presentation was fabulous. It meant that I could be part of this special celebration.

Video Update

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:08:50 +1200

Nicky talks about Volunteer Awareness Week, thanks the 1.2 million volunteers throughout New Zealand and goes on to discuss the spectacular efforts of some of the volunteers in Christchurch.

CANTERBURY'S WHITE FLIPPERED PENGUINS

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:41:38 +1200

I have just met the people from the Canterbury White-flippered Penguin Trust. Canterbury has its own special breed of penguin, Eudyptula albosignata, it is the one and only indigenous creature unique to Canterbury. It is part of the genus Eudyptula and very similar to the Blue Penguin but with a lighter colouring and whitish flippers. There are about 500,000 Blue penguins in New Zealand but only 4,000 white flippered Penguins.

They breed only on Motunau Island (1800 pairs) and Banks Peninsula (2,200 pairs)

The White Flippered Penguins are considered endangered by the IUCN (The International Union for the Conservation and Natural Resource) Birdlife International and ‘acutely threatened and nationally vulnerable’ by DOC in New Zealand

The White-Flippered Penguin Trust is monitoring the colonies and has established a chick transfer from predator free Motunau Island to the Harris bay Colony near Lyttelton harbour. They are also keen to establish a new self-sustaining colony at Boulder bay.

Penguins are fascinating birds and the Trust hopes that in the long term they can involve the public in their conservation.

Nicky Wagner MP - AGPAC

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:51:35 +1200

Nicky talks about Agpac