Updated Information

• Tourism New Zealand is working with Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism (CCT) and emergency services in the region to get reliable information to visitors and travel sellers.
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• Operators and travellers are advised to look at www.christchurchnz.com for updated information, currently daily.
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• CCT has established a hotline for enquiries : 0800 423 783.
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• Outside of New Zealand call 64 3 379 9629 or 64 3 353 5990
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• Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism are posting regular accommodation, activities and tourism services updates on its website advising of the current status of tourism businesses in the region
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• Other regions of New Zealand outside Christchurch are unaffected by the earthquake
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• 550 buildings in the city have now been checked and only 5% have been marked as unsafe.
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• Christchurch Airport is open and operating normally for both domestic and international flights.
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• The i-SITE visitor information centre at Christchurch Airport is running normally and is taking calls on either +64 3 353 7044 or 0800 568 369
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• The i-SITE Visitor Centre in Cathedral Square is closed until at least Wednesday 8 September.
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• Most accommodation providers in the city are open, but visitors are advised to contact their travel agents or accommodation providers directly before arriving. All Holiday Parks in Christchurch are operating as usual. Only one motel has been closed but guests have been relocated elsewhere
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• The TranzAlpine train service is now running. The TranzCoastal will not be running today and will be replaced by a bus service.
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• The central City cordon is being reduced daily, allowing more of the city to open up.
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• Two checkpoints for those coming in from the airport or out of town. The checkpoints are at either end of Colombo St – at Gloucester Street and St Asaph Street. Army personnel are on hand to provide instructions at the checkpoints.
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• Nightime curfews were lifted on Monday, but restrictions on movement around the city centre remain in place
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• Akaroa has escaped with minor damage from the earthquake and is operating largely as usual.
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• Those who are travelling to the central City are advised to contact their accommodation providers or travel agents to check what arrangements are in place.
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Tourism New Zealand Advice to Travellers

• Tourism New Zealand is advising international travellers to check travel arrangements with travel agents or accommodation providers before proceeding with plans to travel to Christchurch
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Regular tourism updates will be carried on www.newzealand.com and www.christchurchnz.com.

For official updates from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency, visit www.mcdem.govt.nz.

www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf

For the latest news on the earthquake from New Zealand media, visit www.stuff.co.nz or www.nzherald.co.nz

Tourist transport update

Coaches

• All InterCity, Newmans and GreatSights services in to and out of Christchurch are operating as normal. Due to inner city cordons, the pick-up point has been moved to the Christchurch Town Hall at 86 Kilmore St. This info is on their website and passengers with bookings are being contacted to inform them.
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• Magic Travellers Network is operating as normal.
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• Naked Bus also operating as normal, their pick-up point has been moved but passengers are being contacted and the info is on their website.
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• The Metro bus network in Christchurch will resume services tomorrow, including services to both the Waimakariri and Selwyn districts.
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Rail

• All rail services in the Christchurch area are expected to be restored by tomorrow (Tuesday 7 September) following repairs to damage caused by Saturday's earthquake.
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• The Main South Line which runs south from Christchurch is already open although with a 40 kph line speed restriction and 25 kph restriction on bridges between Christchurch and Ashburton.
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• The Midland Line west of Otira is open and the line between Otira and Christchurch is expected to open this afternoon, again with a 40 kph line and 25 kph bridge speed restriction. This will enable freight traffic to resume this afternoon and the Tranz Alpine to run from tomorrow (Tuesday).
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• The Main North Line which suffered 4 kilometres of damage in the Kaiapoi area including damage to abutments of one bridge, is expected to be open again tomorrow (Tuesday). In the mean time, freight is being off-loaded at Rangiora and moved into Christchurch by road.
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Tranz Coastal passenger services are expected to resume between Christchurch and Picton on Wednesday, (8 September) again with speed restrictions within the earthquake zone.

ENDS

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