Day 523 - fruit & veggie co-op

Many Christchurch people are going hungry today through no fault of their own in a country that exports food around the world!.

This is because of very low wages, reduced work hours, unexpected earthquake costs, displacement, rapidly growing unemployment, rising food prices and benefit cuts.

Addington Action is organising

• Christchurch South Fruit and Veggie Co-op
• Emergency food parcels
• Home vegetable gardens
• Cooking and preserving classes
• Harvesting tree fruit for making jams and preserves
• Hunting parties
• Ensuring everyone knows about the Emergency Food Grants available from WINZ

Christchurch South Fruit and Veggie Co-op
The fruit and veggie packs cost $10 each, contain between $20 to $30 worth of produce at supermarket prices, and can be ordered in a week in advance and picked up from these distribution centres. Each distribution centre is run by co-op members who are receiving the packs.


Addington

Addington Action
Wednesdays
Open to Addington Action members only
[Vacancies]

Addington School
22 Brougham St, Addington
Co-op enquiries phone or text Amanda 021-024-76027 during school hours
Wednesdays 2.50pm - 3.20pm
Open to school families only
[Opening soon]

Kidsfirst Kindergarten Selwyn St
366 Selwyn St, Addington
Co-op enquiries 366-3472
Wednesdays
Open to kindergarten families only
[Vacancies]

Manuka Cottage
45 Dickens St, Addington
Co-op enquiries 338-1613
Wednesdays 11am – 3pm
Open to anyone
[Full - waiting list]

(Waiting list of people wanting to join - 2 more possible Addington venues being investigated)

Christchurch Central

Generation Health
Christchurch Central
Co-op enquiries 965-1021
Wednesdays
Open to clients only
[Vacancies]

Halswell

(Waiting list of people wanting to join -1 possible Halswell venue being investigated)

Hillmorton

(Waiting list of people wanting to join - does anyone have a venue available)

Hoon Hay

Hoon Hay Presbyterian
5 Downing St, Hoon Hay
Co-op enquiries (to come)
Wednesdays 5pm - 7pm
Open to anyone
[Opening soon]

Rowley Ave Bible Chapel
26 Rowley Ave, Hoon Hay
Co-op enquiries (to come)
Wednesdays 5pm - 7pm
Open to anyone
[Opening soon]

Rowley Ave School
48 Rowley Ave, Hoon Hay
Co-op enquiries Krystal 027-899-6762 or Lolina 027-484-2301
Wednesdays 2.45pm - 3.15 pm
Open to school families only
[Opening soon]

Rowley Resource Centre
59 Rowley Ave, Hoon Hay
Co-op enquiries Liz 322-8989
Wednesdays 12noon - 2pm
Open to anyone
[Vacancies]

Hornby

(Waiting list of people wanting to join - 1 possible Hornby venue being investigated)

Islington

(Waiting list of people wanting to join - does anyone have a venue available)

Opawa

(No waiting list of people wanting to join - does anyone have a venue available)

Riccarton

(Waiting list of people wanting to join - 1 possible Riccarton venue being investigated)

Somerfield

(Waiting list of people wanting to join - does anyone have a venue available)

Spreydon

West Spreydon School
147 Lyttleton St, Spreydon
Co-op enquiries 980-6078
Wednesdays 2.50pm - 3.30pm
Open to school families only
[Full - waiting list]

Sydenham

Sydenham Community Centre
25-27 Hutchison, St Sydenham
Co-op enquiries 331-6146
Wednesdays 10.30am – 12 noon
Open to anyone
[Full - waiting list]

Sydenham Salvation Army
17 Southampton St, Sydenham
Co-op enquiries (to come)
Wednesdays 1pm - 2pm
Open to anyone
[Opening soon]

Wainoni

Eureka St
Eureka St, Wainoni
Co-op enquiries (to come)
Wednesdays
Open to Eureka St residents only
[Vacancies]

Waltham

Opawa Baptist Church
285 Wilsons Rd, Waltham
Co-op enquiries 379-7680
Wednesdays 10.30am – 1pm
Open to anyone
[30 vacancies]

Woolston

(Waiting list of people wanting to join - does anyone have a venue available)



More distribution centres are needed for a few hours every Wednesday. Many hungry families are on waiting lists to join in Woolston, Opawa, Waltham, St Martins, Somerfield, Spreydon, Hoon Hay, Hillmorton, Riccarton, Halswell, Hornby and Islington. Contact Addington Action if you can help by providing a free venue.

Emergency food parcels
Addington Action street reps distribute emergency food parcels supplied by 0800 Hungry to hungry families of working people in Addington and Spreydon until they are able to join the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op.

Home vegetable gardens
Help is available to establish a simple herb garden at your home to add to your recipes. Available free to members of the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op. Watch out for the flyers in the fruit & veggie packs.

Cooking and preserving classes
Held first Saturday of every month. Available free to members of the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op. Watch out for the flyers in the fruit & veggie packs.

Hunting parties
Hunters are needed to go and shoot game birds, wild pigs, deer and goats for meat to feed people.

Emergency food grants
WINZ has emergency food grants available to families who desperately need it. Anglican Care is able to advise people on how to access this.

Day 522 - Addington Action to open building

A celebration is planned for noon Saturday September 1 to launch Addington Action's new base of operations.

The base will have a well equipped workshop to be used by volunteers to repair uninsured homes, an office and canteen and will also be the base for the packing centre of the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op.

Supporters are welcome to attend the opening.

Further details will be announced over the coming weeks.

Day 521 - Christchurch Kerala Association help Rowley

This afternoon, members of the Christchurch Kerala Association (CKA) put up 40 street posters in Rowley to advertise the August 1 meetings to bring the fruit & veggie co-op to Hoon Hay.

The area covered was enclosed by Hendersons Rd - Halswell Rd - Redgrave St, and just south of Hoon Hay Park.

The posters were not laminated and are only designed to stay up till Thursday. Once 3 or 4 new distribution centres are firmly established, permanent laminated posters will go up in the area from Lyttleton St to Hendersons Rd advertising their operation to residents.

Christchurch Kerala Association has agreed to provide volunteers every second Sunday afternoon at 1pm to help with tasks for Addington Action.

There has been a lot of demand in the Hoon Hay area, so the meetings will set up 3 distribution centres operating at different times in Hoon Hay so that any locals can join the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op (CSFVC).

Come to a meeting to both join and help organise local distribution centers based in Hoon Hay.

• 12 noon Wednesday August 1
  Rowley Resource Centre
  Rowley Avenue, Hoon Hay (for anyone)
• 2.30pm Wednesday August 1
  Room 8, Rowley Avenue School
  Rowley Avenue, Hoon Hay (for school parents) 
• A future meeting is planned in a few weeks at Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church to establish a 3rd distribution centre.

Day 519 - EQC Campaign Committee established

Addington Action established an EQC Campaign Committee at its recent monthly membership meeting. This is in response to requests from affected members and also from affected residents living in the working class area that Addington Action organises from Ensors Rd to Hendersons Rd.

The triggering point was the recent changes by EQC to opting out.

The intention is to run a very large effective public campaign to force through changes to EQC in the manner and way it deals with the public instead of the current shambles. The committee is not planning to take up individual cases, instigate legal challenges, or be involved in behind the scenes meetings with EQC etc.

The Committee Co-ordinator is Jo McLean.

Initial members of the committee are Christine Blance, John Chalklen, Terry Dobson, Jo McLean, and Mike Peters who have all experienced insurance issues since the quakes and are all experienced organisers.

The committee has to present an action plan to the next membership meeting at the end of August.

Day 518 - Hoon Hay Presbyterian

Hoon Hay Presbyterian have agreed to provide space for a distribution centre to operate as part of the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op. The Parish Council discussed this proposal at a recent meeting and they will also advertise the co-op to the church.

The Church is located at 5 Downing St, Hoon Hay.

Thank you Rev Arii Taimataora and friends at Hoon Hay Presbyterian.

Day 517 - Addington Action adopts no violence policy

Addington Action formally adopted a strict no violence policy at all sites it operates at. This will be strictly enforced and any individuals who break this policy will be asked to leave immediately.

The policy was adopted at tonight monthly membership meeting of Addington Action. This is in response to a recent incident where a member of Addington Action was physically threatened at a project by someone working for another organisation involved in the same project.

Day 514 - Builders laid off as earthquake recovery falters

Reprinted from Action for Christchurch East
21/7/2012

According to the latest bulletin from The Earthquake Commission - 50,000 emergency repairs have been completed, 19,000 families are back in repaired homes, 39,000 are in the process & 100 more jobs are finished everyday.


Action for Christchurch East has been talking with local trades people and Fletchers customers and we have been presented with a very different story...
Months after the September 2010 earthquake contractors and building firms were told to prepare for the pending flood of work, hire enough staff to deal with the rebuild, increase middle management levels and purchase the equipment necessary for the task. In recent days our writers have witnessed qualified builders being sacked, companies left without work and Fletchers EQR instruct building firms to stop hiring.

Canterbury Master Builders in recent days have gone public stating "Canterbury builders...are treading water" ...As well as a lack of work the pricing allowances regulated by EQC and enforced by Fletchers EQR have left many out of pocket. "All of the small firms are finding it tough - I know there are lots of people being laid off because I'm getting a lot of texts asking for work," states the owner of paint and plastering business David J Peters. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7296828/Builders-tread-water-waiting-for-the-boom

In the past week the pricing allowances for materials has been stripped, leaving painters and plasterers dealing with $19 per square metre - a 20 per cent drop in pay! CTU president Helen Kelly has labelled it "an abuse of contracted labour" http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/14262390/christchurch-tradespeople-form-lobby-group/

To top it off we have heard that EQR hubs have explained to contractors that the work flow will be "at best one new job a week" for each firm. With the majority of work continuing to be paint and decorating, builders and trades people not using the brush or scraper are in serious trouble. 

So how is it the Earthquake Recovery Authority can boast such large numbers of repairs and success stories? Because the vast majority of jobs have been cosmetic and restricted to areas largely unaffected by the quakes. Now that the easy stuff is drying up we're now finding building companies getting trapped into the black hole that is 'work variations'. A variation has been described to us as damage that wasn't reported in the initial EQR inspections. Once the builder's step into a home they are finding the original reports are entirely inconsistent with what they are physically looking at on the day. The time it's taking for insurance companies and the EQC to agree on new pricing is pushing the completion of jobs further and further back. EQC for example, have only budgeted for one or two quantity surveyors per hub, meaning one individual is responsible for working out the pricing of on average 400 properties - and that's before any variations land on their desk!

The legacy of deregulated residential building standards are also beginning to bite - leaky homes is something we have all heard of but now Christchurch is beginning to wake up to its full consequence. As builders strip back the weather boards and pull down plaster board they are discovering mould and rotten timber. As the rot is not earthquake related but the result of past and present politician's decisions who foots the bill? The question is yet to be answered and building firms are forced to put work on hold until they are told otherwise.


The conclusions we are left with are; the EQR Fletchers staff are horribly under resourced, questions surrounding variations and leaky homes remain unanswered and the builders with the skills necessary to fix the city are being left high and dry by EQC. The results speak for themselves.

COMING UP...

(Taken from the TC3 Residents forum)

On Monday July 30th the 100 day blue print of the CBD is launched in town. Key, Brownlee, Sutton, media etc will be present to celebrate 'their' milestone. TC3 residents are organising a rally to coincide with this occasion outside the CCC building where the blueprint unveiling will take place. We need the powers that be to take notice that whilst the city may be getting fixed and addressed, we in the suburbs are ignored, abandoned and forgotten. That EQC is a shambles and insurance companies are refusing to engage with us. That the time frames being presented to us are unacceptable - we are real people who are facing uncertainty, ill health both physical and emotional, loss of community, financial loss and the inability to lead a normal, healthy life due to the fact our homes are broken and no one will fix them. We want our homes fixed so we can begin repairing our shattered lives. More info to follow soon - but this is a little over a week away. Share with all your networks - get the word out there. There is power in numbers and we need you there - placards as well.

More info can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/100420550099634/

Day 513 - Addington School PTA to discuss co-op

The Addington School PTA will be discussing whether to join the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op at its July 26 meeting. The proposal is to establish a distribution centre at the school run by parents for the school families on a Wednesday at end of school.

Day 512 - Sydenham meeting to expand co-op

There is growing demand in the Sydenham area, so we need to set up an additional distribution centre so anyone can join the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op (CSFVC).

The key person who previously ran this distribution centre is now overseas so a residents committee needs to be formed to run it. The current distribution centre at Sydenham Community Centre is now full up and cannot take everyone else from the area.

Come to a meeting to both join and help organise a second local distribution center based in Sydenham.

• 1pm Wednesday August 15
  Sydenham Salvation Army Community Ministries
  17 Southampton St, Sydenham
  (for anyone)

Day 511 - Eureka!

Today Eureka St became the latest distribution centre to join the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op. Eureka St is in Wainoni and the distribution centre is a split off that has grown out of the distribution centre operating at the Sydenham Community Centre.

So well done Karen and friends!

Day 510 - Hoon Hay meetings planned to establish co--op

There has been a lot of demand in the Hoon Hay area, so we need to set up 3 distribution centres operating at different times in Hoon Hay so anyone can join the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op (CSFVC).

Come to a meeting to both join and help organise local distribution centers based in Hoon Hay.

• 12 noon Wednesday August 1
  Rowley Resource Centre
  Rowley Avenue, Hoon Hay (for anyone)
• 2.30pm Wednesday August 1
  Room 8, Rowley Avenue School
  Rowley Avenue, Hoon Hay (for school parents)

Day 508 - Waltham gets fruit & veggie co-op posters

8 members of the Christchurch Kerala Association spent the afternoon today putting up posters in 30 streets in Waltham to promote the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op.

The Association has joined Addington Action with a rep on the committee and is keen to be active.

Since an article about the co-op was published the Observer yesterday, the phone has been ringing all day from residents keen to join and also willing to help.

Most people think the co-op is "about time", and a big help in reducing weekly food bills when faced with mounting pressure from heating bills and the general cost of living in Christchurch for many families since the quakes and government inaction.

Meetings will be called in a few weeks in various suburbs calling for people to help set up more distribution centres to meet growing demand for affordable healthy food.

Day 507 - Keep Our Assets - Christchurch

KEEP OUR ASSETS - CHRISTCHURCH

There is a newly formed coalition called Keep Our Assets - Christchurch (meaning publicly-owned assets both at the national level and those in Christchurch).

Groups represented include Greypower, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA), the Greens, Labour, the Alliance, Council of Trade Unions (CTU), Aotearoa Not For Sale, and Addington Action.

Recent activities have included: Greens Co-Leader Russel Norman speaking to a Rangiora Greypower public meeting on July 10th; and helping to organise the Christchurch march of up to 1,000 people along Riccarton Road on Saturday 14th as part of the National Day of Action against asset sales.

Coming activities include CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg speaking about why asset sales are a crazy idea at a public meeting at Knox Presbyterian Church Hall, 28 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch at 7.30 p.m. Thursday August 30th.

Keep Our Assets – Christchurch can be contacted at Box 2258, Christchurch 8140, e-mail: convenor@koa.org.nz Website www.koa.org.nz and Facebook www.facebook.com/KeepOurAssetsChristchurch

We invite groups to join the coalition. Contact us about our organising meetings. And we welcome people to get involved. Let’s build a mass movement to stop these thieves and con men who are trying to steal what is ours and who, to add insult to injury, are trying to sell little bits of it back to us.

Murray Horton
For Keep Our Assets - Christchurch

Keep Our Assets-Christchurch
Box 2258, Christchurch 8140
convenor@koa.org.nz
www.koa.org.nz
www.facebook.com/KeepOurAssetsChristchurch

Day 506 - EQC opt out changes prompt response from Addington Action

In response to the recent announcement by EQC over changes to the payout rules over opting out by residents, Addington Action has been asked by its affected members and local affected residents to take up this issue and get EQC to change it's stance.

A group is now in the process of being formed. Addington Action is asking anyone affected by this clause and who would like to be part of an active group to make contact.

A large meeting is to be called to discuss the issue and decide on a course of action.

Links to recent articles in the Press

• EQC changes payout rules - 6/7/2012
• EQC opt-out change to bring job losses - 7/7/2012
• EQC's 'ridiculous' opt-out changes put onus on homeowner - 7/7/2012
• Insurers' new rules for homeowners 'unfair' - 12/7/2012

Day 506 - ICEcycles Free Bike Maintenance Workshop

Flat tyre, squeaky chain, worn out brakes, dodgy seat?

Come along to our free bike maintenance days and we'll help you get your bike sorted and show you some basic bike maintenance skills. Refreshments provided.

Note: Some big repairs jobs may have to be referred to our supporting bike shop, Cycle Trading Company.

270 Gloucester Street (near Barbadoes Street corner)
Wednesday 18th July 8-9am

Delta Community House (150 North Avon Road) 
Saturday 21st July 1 - 4pm

For more information, contact Jenny (379 5134), Jonathon (389 4227) or Steve (021 0619296 or steve@cycletrailers.co.nz).

Visit the ICEcycles webpage for further details.

Got an unwanted bike, parts or helmet? We'll collect it, restore it, and pass it on to someone who really needs it. Got bike maintenance skills? We'd love to have you come and help.

The ICECycles (Inner City East Cycles) Group is a project of Te Whare Roimata promoting and enabling - for health, enjoyment and self-sufficiency.

Day 505 - Red Cross quake grants available

The New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission has a number of grants available to meet the needs of the affected population in Christchurch. Additional grants will be considered as further needs arise.

Winter Assistance Grant
To assist all households living in homes significantly damaged by the earthquakes or who have had to move into damp or hard to heat accommodation. Please download the PDF application form for more details.

• $100 a month for 4 months
• Download application form (PDF)

Disability Support Grant
To assist people with disabilities, and their carers, who are having difficulties meeting disability-related needs because of the effect of the earthquakes upon services and infrastructure.

• $750 per person with a disability
• Download application form (PDF)

Storage Grant
To assist earthquake-affected homeowners and renters who have had to vacate their property and pay for storage for their belongings anytime since 4 September 2010 and have exhausted other financial assistance to pay for storage.

• up to $500 per household
• Download homeowners application form (PDF)
• Download renters application form (PDF)

Bereavement Grant
This application is available for people who have lost an immediate family member in the earthquake of February 2011.

• Two payments of $10,000 for the immediate family of confirmed deceased.
• Download application form (PDF)

Targeted Moving Assistance (S124) Grant
This application is available for households whose properties have been issued with a Section 124 Building Act Notice by Christchurch City Council.

• $1,000 per household.
• Download application form (PDF)

Enhanced Water Filter Grant
This application is available to assist those people whose domestic water supply comes from either a well or a bore and whose water quality was affected by the earthquake, to the point where they now require an enhanced water filter, in order to make their water potable.

• Up to $5,000 which shall include purchase, installation and testing of the Enhanced Water Filter.
• Download application form (PDF)

Independent Advice Grant
To assist vulnerable homeowners with obtaining assistance on what to do with their earthquake damaged property.

• Up to $750 per household
• Download application form (PDF)
• NB This grant is not retrospective. Please ensure your application is approved BEFORE seeking a report or advice.

How to apply
Select the grant you wish to apply for and download the PDF application form.  (Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files.  Download a free copy of Adobe Reader)
Return your completed grant application form to the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Commission -

• by email - eqgrant@redcross.org.nz (please note, where applications are lodged by email, the required supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to your email)
• by post - Freepost 237070, New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Grants, PO Box 217, Christchurch Mail Centre 8140
• in person - deliver to Red Cross, 34 Birmingham Drive, Christchurch.

Please keep a copy of your application for your records.

Any questions? please call 0800 754 726

The helpline is available to answer any questions on the application process. Please note applications can only be lodged via email, post or in person at the location mentioned above. For more information view the fact sheet.

Day 504 - more fresh fruit and veggies

Today the Christchurch Fruit & Veggie Co-op packed for 109 households.

Everyone got

• 1/2 pumkin
• 1 celery
• 1 leek
• 1 kg mandarin
• 1kg tomato
• 1kg nectarine
• 5 banana
• pile of broccoli heads

Because of the school holidays some distribution centres are closed so the orders are down but expected to be up next week.

•  1 Addington Action
• 14 Generation Health
• 0 KidsFirst Kindergarten Selwyn St
• 40 Manuka Cottage
• 0 Opawa Baptist 
• 15 St John of God Waipuna
• 39 Sydenham Community Centre
• 0 Sydenham Salvation Army
• 0 West Spreydon School 

Next week, a new packing shed layout will be trialled to make the process more efficient and easier.

Day 503 - 400 street posters done, 400 to go

As of today 400 laminated A4 posters have been put up on 100 streets to promote the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op (CSFVC).

Another 400 will be distributed to Addington Action members over the next week to put up on power poles in another 100 streets.

The area chosen stretches from Hendersons Rd, Hoon Hay to Ensors Rd, Waltham, and promotes the existing 8 distribution centres for the co-op. As more distribution centres are set up, the poster will be revised and distributed. This area matches the area Addington Action has found the greatest need after the quakes.

So far, there has been a great response from the public, with many more households joining the co-op or figuring out how to set up more distribution centres.




View Addington Action - Poster Zones in a larger map

Day 503 - Addington Action - Helping to feed Christchurch residents

Reprinted from Tindall Foundation website
July 10 2012

Addington Action Committee was established by local residents the day following the February earthquake. The group got together in response to the overwhelming need in and around Addington. Since then the organisation has helped 500 families.

From day one, the plan was to organise Addington residents in 64 streets to work together. In the first 18 days, 150 volunteers joined in. The group was involved in building long-drops in parks to help control disease, providing clean water, organising security, looking after the elderly and lost pets, cleaning up the rubble into neat street piles for later removal by Civil Defense and providing hugs and support for people.
Today, many people in Christchurch are going hungry through no fault of their own. So Addington Action is organising the following to make food more affordable and easily accessible:

• Vegetable gardens
• Christchurch South Fruit and Veggie Co-op
• Food parcels
• Harvesting tree fruit for making jams and preserves
• Hunting parties
• Ensuring everyone knows about the Emergency Food Grants available from WINZ

The Christchurch South Fruit and Veggie Co-op: is a fantastic initiative where people can spend $10 on packs of fresh fruit and veggies which are worth $20-$30 in the shops. These vege packs can be ordered from the following local distribution centres on Wednesdays. Anyone is welcome to join.

• Generation Health (ph 965 1021)
• Kidsfirst Kindergarten Selwyn St: 266 Selwyn St, Addington
• Manuka Cottage:7 Dickens St, Addington - 11am - 3pm
• Opawa Baptist Church: 285 Wilsons Rd, Waltham - 10.30am - 2pm
• St John of God Waipuna: Cnr Pages & Woodham Rd - 10.30am - 1.30pm
• Sydenham Community Centre: 25-27 Hutchison St, Sydenham - 10.30am - 12 noon
• Sydenham Salvation Army
• West Spreydon School: 147 Lyttleton St, Spreydon - 2.50 - 3.30pm

More distribution centres are being set up so that there is one in easy walking distance of every family. Call Addington Action on 980 0902 or 027 2105 042 for more information.

Day 499 - EQC changes the rules

Reprinted from The Press
6/7/2012
By Liz McDonald

Homeowners could have to pay as much as $115,000 up front for earthquake repairs because the Earthquake Commission has changed its payment rules.

In what have been labelled bullyboy tactics, the EQC released a new policy this week saying property owners opting out of the Fletchers repair scheme must pay all bills themselves and wait to be reimbursed by the commission.

Previously, the commission would approve quotes, inspect completed work and pay contractors directly.

The commission backtracked slightly late yesterday after The Press called, promising to change the new policy to let owners claim without paying first, but it will still leave them responsible for the bills.

An EQC spokesman said the commission aimed to settle opting-out claims monthly, but could give no guarantees, especially if there were complications.

"They do take a risk if the invoice falls due and the money has not come from EQC. If you can't handle it, then you shouldn't be opting out. You are taking on a big job," he said.

The change affects people with repair costs in the $10,000 to $100,000 bracket before GST. Several thousand homeowners are estimated to be considering arranging their own work.

Steve Brooks, whose building company, Rebuild Me, does quake repairs, said: "Who has $40,000 lying around? This affects anyone who wanted to opt out and all the companies doing rebuilds.

"It's going to push the rebuild right out. People could be stuck with damaged homes for five or six or eight years. If you don't have the cash, tough, you'll be left waiting."

Brooks said he and other companies had builders busy doing work now, and jobs were at risk.

"What if EQC take three months to pay up and the homeowner takes another three months to pay us? We would really struggle and we'd end up in the Disputes Tribunal."

Homeowners would now be left to deal with new problems such as GST registration and project management qualifications, Brooks said.

He questioned the reason for the changes when "it was working fine before".

Property owners on social networking sites yesterday were angry at the changes.

"I am trying all avenues I can think of but pretty much feel we are powerless," one homeowner said.

"EQC won't get away with these bullyboy tactics to stop people opting out of Fletchers EQR-run shambles," wrote another.

However, one person said even borrowing the money and paying interest would be worth it to get the job done.

The commission does not make cash settlements on homes with $10,000 to $100,000 of damage but has contracted construction company Fletcher EQR to do the work. Alternatively, homeowners can choose to opt out and take responsibility for the work themselves.

Hard-up families dread having to stump up cash

Phillipa Main was about to start the repair process on her foster daughter's and mother's homes when the EQC told her of their new payment rules over the phone.

"They said we would have to front up with the money, and they couldn't give us a timeline when we'd be paid back," she said.


"My mum is 80; she's never going to get a mortgage for $50,000. Elderly people and most families can't afford the repayments, and if they could, who's going to pay the interest?"

Main said she had heard of poor workmanship from Fletchers and had a good repairer lined up to do the work.

"With Mum, I though it would be nice to get it sorted out in her lifetime. I don't want to go to Fletchers and I've been mucked around by them before. I plan to battle the Government on this one."

Homeowner Craig Joblin said he and wife Kerri have a builder they were comfortable with ready to fix their Burwood house.

With four children and one income, they cannot afford bills in the tens of thousands of dollars.

"We're on a very, very tight budget."

The couple had received an email from the EQC saying they were too far through the process to opt out, but they were ignoring it because the commission had not yet arranged any repairs.

Day 498 - Getting back on track

Finances a bit "off track"

Kingdom Resources
Presents
Getting Back on Track
July 2012

Getting Back on Track

Have your finances taken a bit of a hit lately? Struggling to make ends meet! Or maybe the ends are so far apart you think there is no hope of them ever getting back together!

There can be hope for you, especially if you're prepared to put the hard yards in!

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all"

... Dale Carnegie


Life can be more enjoyable with a bit of planning, so here are some of the "planning skills" we can help you learn:

• Developing a Personal Spending Plan and learn how to deal with debt
• How to cut down on household costs
• Contracts and credit issues

Plus more ...

Details

Cost:
This 3 session course is free
Tea/Coffe & biscuits will be provided

When:
Tuesday- Thursday evenings
12-12 July 7.00-9.15pm

Tuesday- Thursday mornings
17-19 July 9.30-11.45am

Where:
Kingdom Resources Offices
Shop 7/300 Lincoln Rd
Addingtown Mall
Addington, Christchurch

What To Bring:
Pen or pencil

Expected Outcomes

• Develop your budget
• Define your priorities
• learn how to balance a budget
• learn how to deal with debt
• Gain some great tips on how to save money
• Get a certificate of attendance
• Plan the next step

Registration Details

To register for this course you can:

Contact Paul
Phone: 332 1700 (ext 703) or
paul@kingdomresources.org.nz

or

Post the printed form to:
Kingdom Resources Office
Shop 7/300 Lincoln Rd
Addingtown Mall
Addington, Christchurch

or
Hand it in at:
Kingdom Resources Office
Shop 7/300 Lincoln Rd
Addingtown Mall
Addington, Christchurch

Getting back on track is made possible by the generous support of Family & Community Services

Day 497 - fruit & veggie co-op

118 fruit and veggie packs were made up and distributed today by the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op (CSFVC).

The orders are down from last week with the school holidays. Determined efforts are now underway by parents to establish more distribution centres at Addington School, Rowley School, in the Lincoln Rd area near Hilmorton Hospital, and in the Peverel St state housing area of Riccarton.

Congratulations to volunteer packer Karen who won a chockie bar today for the best suggestion made last week - unique bank deposit codes for each distribution centre.

The orders packed this week for distribution centres were.

• 1 - Addington Action (members)
• 17 - Generation Health (members)
• 0 - KidsFirst Kindergarten Selwyn St (families of kids)
• 35 - Manuka Cottage (anyone)
• 9 - Opawa Baptist (anyone)
• 17 - St John of God Waipuna (anyone)
• 39 - Sydenham Community Centre (anyone)
• 0 - Sydenham Salvation Army (anyone)
• 0 - West Spreydon School (families of kids)

Day 496 - Community board to help find Addington Action a premises

From the published minutes of the Spreydon/Heathcote Community Board
3 July 2012

A letter was received from Addington Action.

The Board received a letter from Addington Action advising the Board of their urgent need to find alternative accommodation to continue with repairing uninsured homes for elderly residents in the Spreydon/Heathcote ward. In particular Addington Action indicated that the Model Engineering building in Rowalan Lane would be a useful site for their base for a two year period. The group needs to locate a site by the beginning of September 2012.

The Board decided that the matter of locating a suitable property for Addington Action be referred to staff and SCIRT for consideration and report back to the Board by its 17 August 2012 meeting. Further, in the event that the property in Rowalan Lane is unsuitable staff are requested to provide other suitable options for Addington Action.