9 March 2011
1.20pm
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Local companies are rallying to support the Christchurch relief effort, including sending technical experts to the quake-affected city and providing logistical support at the national crisis management centre in Wellington.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says corporate social responsibility is alive and giving in New Zealand’s largest city.

“It is heartening to see our business leaders getting in behind our region’s response to this crisis situation and committing such generous support to our friends in Christchurch.

“Aucklanders have dug deep into their pockets and opened up their homes to those in need and now big business is taking an active role in Christchurch’s recovery,” he says.

Many national and Auckland-based businesses have committed support to Christchurch, including:

• Air New Zealand and Jetstar, who have offered discounted flights to people flying in and out of Christchurch
• Fonterra, who has established its own earthquake relief fund which has raised over $3 million and has an emergency response team working to assist civil defence staff.
• A number of engineering consultancies have deployed staff from around New Zealand to assist with urgent building assessment work to identify which structures in Christchurch the public can enter.
• National telecommunications providers such as Telecom, Kordia and Vodafone have sent technicians, engineers and equipment to Christchurch and many Auckland-based staff are focussed on the response and recovery efforts.
• Auckland Airport continues to support Christchurch Airport and has an engineering team on standby if required.
• Power company Vector has joined with other networks to provide expert support.
• Fuel companies such as ExxonMobil, BP and Greenstone Energy have deployed engineers and tanker drivers to Christchurch.

Government and local government agencies, including OnTrack, NZTA, Ports of Auckland Limited, and Watercare have joined Auckland Council, Civil Defence and the emergency services in providing technical expertise and equipment for response efforts in Wellington and Christchurch.

“In addition to these companies, I would like to acknowledge that many other organisations have also provided resources and support which have assisted with the response to the earthquake. Their help has been invaluable,” Mayor Brown says.

ENDS

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