Global appeal launched for Christchurch
February 27th, 2011 at 5:02 pm by David FarrarJohn Key has announced:
Prime Minister John Key today launched the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, a global fundraiser for the recovery effort in the city and the Canterbury region.
“It’s vital we reach as many people throughout the world as possible who want to help. This isn’t just New Zealand’s tragedy – the February 22 earthquake affected countless people internationally.
“Like all Cantabrians and fellow New Zealanders, I have been humbled by the offers of help and assistance pouring in from individuals, organisations and governments around the world. This new Appeal gives people another means of donating to the people of Christchurch and the recovery effort.
Mr Key said the Appeal was designed to complement those already established, such as the funds organised by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
“It’s my intention that the Government will work alongside these organisations to make sure the funds are used in the best possible way.
It will be useful, internationally, to have one official appeal that can be donated to. I expect much of the money donated will end up with NGOs like the Red Cross.
“I am also pleased to announce that the proceeds raised for the earthquake recovery from Saturday’s special Lotto draw will go directly to the Appeal,” said Mr Key.
I think I’ll buy a few tickets. Hopefully the major prize winners might also donate a portion of their winnings.
Mr Key said he was encouraging New Zealanders to give generously to Christchurch.
“Every little bit helps – every donation, no matter how small, will be welcomed.”
Donations can be made at www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz
Telecom, Vodafone and 2 Degrees mobile customers can text chch to 933 to make an automatic $3 donation.
Donations can also be made via internet banking, or at any branch of New Zealand’s retail banks, by depositing into account number 03-0251-0039807-00.
Go to www.facebook.com/ChristchurchEarthquakeAppeal to find out more.
Good to see social media being used by the Government for the appeal.
Related posts:
- Christchurch Earthquake 2011 Day II
- 2011 Christchurch Earthquake Day VII
- Christchurch Rent Hikes
- The earthquake recovery tsar
February 27th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Anyone heard any mutterings of an investment vehicle yet?
Charity eventually peters out, but a properly Govt. sponsored bond issue or other forms of investment would be good for me.
JC
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
JC @ 5.10pm
Your touching altruism humbles us. Six days into possibly the greatest disaster faced in NZ & instead of a bit of empathy for the people who have lost family, friends & a third of a city your major concern is whether a bonds issue would suit you. To compare you with dog shit on a shoe would do a disservice to the dog.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Hopefully the major prize winners might also donate a portion of their winnings.
I thought about that last night. Let’s say you won thirteen mill. Not to give at least say $1m of that seems churlish. Yet that’s what OG gave and he has lots more than $13m.
It’s an interesting dilemma and what I’d like to see is the winner(s) asking the stupid journos what precisely they themselves would do were they them, when the question is inevitably asked. I also wonder how much Key personally is going to give and whether he’ll announce what it is – not that he should or needs to, I just wonder, that’s all.
P.S. Luckily paws your 5:49 opinion is the minority view on every single issue and angle you raise, and that’s putting it kindly.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
If hone key suspended the etSCAM , i might consider, WEASLE words dont strike the heart cords,im sorry for CHCH i have donated,but im not rich like hone key ,im getting screwed by the national party,every which way, cut back on the treaty payments for a year , does al gore need hone keys rort etscam for the next year, ps cut the tax on petrol and ease the tax rort burden, try to cut the cost of food and we would have more to give maybe, but key just speaks weasle words, you can almost hear him saying to his minders/scripe readers , (did that sound like genuine bullshit)was i convincing
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
I’m happy to donate to a good cause.
Vote:Diverting ETS tax proceedings to the reconstruction will also help Canterbury.
February 27th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
As far as a tax goes, GST raised 11,478 million in 2010 according to IRD (page 16).
That means a 1% raise will give us an extra $717,375,000 approx.
Since we’ve just been through the exercise all businesses still have recent knowledge of what it took and how to do it. Wise businesses probably built in variables to make it easier next time. It’s not a trivial exercise, but this is not a trivial problem.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
I’ve donated some, but wish I could donate more. Unfortunately, this government hasn’t delivered on giving it’s citizens a “prosperous future” as they said they would.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Is paws related to philu by chance?
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
And I agree we should ditch the ETS, interest-free student loans and the WFF for wealthy households at the same time.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
reid I really hope you are not suggesting a raise in GST to help with the earthquake recovery…
Jobs in chch are going to be shed on an unprecedented scare and the economy is going to be fucked for years to come. What John Key needs to announce is a huge package of tax relief for small canterbury businesses- corporate welfare or tax hikes will have the opposite effect of what is needed
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
What John Key needs to announce is a huge package of tax relief for small canterbury businesses- corporate welfare or tax hikes will have the opposite effect of what is needed
What John Key needs to announce is a huge package of tax relief for small businesses offset by the elimination of government quangos – corporate welfare or tax hikes will have the opposite effect of what is needed
FIX’d
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Won’t argue with you there Jeremy
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Why do you say that XChequer??????????…………………………………………
opps silly me,sticking your head above the rampards,gets you abused in NZ………………………………………..
XChequer (235) Says:
February 27th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Vote:Is paws related to philu by chance
February 27th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
nick GST is in fact the perfect taxation vehicle if one is required. It’s one-off inflationary so after the increase works itself out you’re sweet and we’re right now coming into the 15% inflation so if we catch that wave its minimal impact, administration is a breeze. The alternative is PAYE which doesn’t capture self-employed so you have to do changes to two regimes instead of just the one. As I said a big plus is the whole country has just done one, so another soon after is a no-brainer.
opps silly me,sticking your head above the rampards,gets you abused in NZ
paws this particular thread at this general time isn’t the place for such outbursts. Please try to hold yourself in check and if you can’t say anything sensible try not to say anything at all.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
I’m not arguing the efficiency of GST, I am querying whether tax hikes are a good solution to what likely be a severely depressed economy for canterbury in the months to come. And just when people are reaching financial breaking point you are going to hike tax on goods? good luck there reid
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
When I win the $15,000,000 next weekend I will give $5,000,000 to the earthquake fund as long as it is matched by every other person in NZ giving 1/3 of their cash away as well.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
As i said…
opps silly me,sticking your head above the rampards,gets you abused in NZ
paws this particular thread at this general time isn’t the place for such outbursts. Please try to hold yourself in check and if you can’t say anything sensible try not to say anything at all.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
I am querying whether tax hikes are a good solution to what likely be a severely depressed economy for canterbury in the months to come.
And it’s a fair question nick. Cantabrians should not be subject to it but exemptions are anathema to GST administration and how precisely could one enforce a geographically-based exemption? I don’t have an answer, but I don’t think that removes GST from the options table, of which what are the others?
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Paws at 5.49pm – proof positive that National Standards in literacy are long overdue.
Great to see the Lotteries Commission coming to the party, and I will certainly be investing in Lotto this week. If I won the Big One (highly unlikely, but one never knows one’s luck), I would happily give at least half to the earthquake appeal.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
I find it rather pathetic that even in this forum it seems to be accepted that “The Rich Pricks” should foot the bill.
“Mr Key said he was encouraging New Zealanders to give generously to Christchurch.
“Every little bit helps – every donation, no matter how small, will be welcomed.”
When JK writes his check for $20,000,000 and it is matched by everyone else in NZ I will put in my check for 1/3 of my cash as well.
“Fine words butter no parsnips” as my old Grannie used to say.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
What about setting up Christchurch as an SAR, similar to Honkers.
Have lower corporate taxes there, 9% for instance, and watch the business come. The problem would be getting the infrastructure in place to service the businesses though. But, the ball can be got rolling with infrastructure companies setting up there first.
Not sure that it would be feasible to have an SAR in NZ, my preference would be for lower taxes for the whole of NZ, but that will not assist Christchurch in itself.
If the gummint did this I would relocate my business there, the business that I have progressively been offshoring as of late.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Nasska,
Will you still be donating a portion of your savings for Christchurch charity in 1,5, 10 years time?.. thought not.
Like I said “Charity eventually peters out” but Canterbury’s need for money and investment will go on for years and I would like to support that in a pragmatic fashion through some sort of investment vehicle.
You need to separate out charity for the moment and think of the long term future for Canty.
JC
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
“as long as it is matched by every other person in NZ giving 1/3 of their cash away as well.”
I’m a starter. There’s a fair bit of silver stashed away in the glovebox of the car, old silver ashtrays, mum’s purse and so on.
JC
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
not a bad idea roo!
if i won the 13 mil.. id give a few hundred bucks. no worries.
NEVER agree to a tax increase on gst or whatever. once its on, it will never come off.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Paws at 5.49pm – proof positive that National Standards in literacy are long overdue.
Vote:Inventory2, i bet you got really excited as you posted this jibe,WOW you are going to buy a lotto ticket.The next weekends BIG excitment other than posting abuse,and buying a new pair of underpants
February 27th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
JC @ 7.13pm
Charity will give way to solid funding & sensible investment.
Society, however, is more than items in a personal investment portfolio. Even primitive societies recognise that there is a time for grief, a time to nurse the sick & bury the dead & that time is exclusive to other considerations. Your financial nous may be impeccable…… your sense of timing defies understanding.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I hear many calling for special levies, taxes etc to tackle the CHCH problem. Fuck we need that like we need another hole in the head. They say charity begins at home, the more the bloody government takes the less charitable I feel. I’m perfectly happy to donate to what i see as needy charities. If the government feels the need to take more and more wealth to fund charities it sees fit then why should I continue to open my wallet to ones i see fit. New Zealand society as a whole is very generous, we do not need the government to become our conscience. Yes we have a huge problem, my solution dump this fucking bullshit ETS con and cancel WFF put this money into helping the South Island.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Hang on a minute you guys!
This event is an insured event, at least in the case of the local and Govt. infrastructure and building and for anyone else that did as they should.
I don’t hear any insurance co’s saying they can’t pay for their responsibilities. I can hear people moaning because the ignored theirs.
The Govt runs a welfare system to assist those that are in need ( automatic), an ACC scheme to assist the injured (automatic) and then there is family and charity.
Why then this great need to feed the beast with money?
Stop and think a bit. A case of capitalizing the profit and socializing the losses.
Its easy to use these disasters to collect money and you are as always free to donate but why should the Govt. make any move at all to increase taxes to pay for their obligations.
Vote:It behoves them to exhibit the Leadership they are paid for and reduce the expenses that consume the current taxes at least until they have completed their responsibilities to ChCh.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Christchurch rebuild can be afforded – Key
7:17 PM Sunday Feb 27, 2011
Prime Minister John Key says there will be about $14 billion available to rebuild Christchurch but the huge project won’t start until aftershocks have ended and quake-stricken area has settled down.
It was difficult to estimate how many buildings would be taken out of the central business district but said it could up to 200.
“By the time we’ve removed those buildings and then done the geo-technical work to assess what’s actually required for the land before it can be rebuilt on, it’s going to take quite some time.”
Speaking on the day he launched the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, a global fund raiser for the recovery effort, Mr Key said the Government could afford to rebuild.
“It’s very likely that EQC levies will rise for New Zealanders for a number of reasons.
“We want to build the fund up faster than we would normally. If we don’t increase the levy it will take until 2025 to get the fund back to about $6b.”
Mr Key said there had been some discussion about whether there would be a special earthquake levy.
“We haven’t completed our final analysis but we’re asking Treasury’s advice, and their preference was not to have the special levy,” he said.
“But it’s guaranteed that EQC levies in their current form will rise.
“No decision has been made yet, but I think you could expect it to double or triple.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10709146
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
EQC has $6B total and reinsurers have further liability for five but that’s only if this quake isn’t ruled as an aftershock in which case the reinsurers have liabiilty only for the Sept quake which they have already discharged.
The outcome of this will be TBC for a long time I suspect thus we can’t rule a tax in or out.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Why would he ask Treasury.
Vote:They have a track record of about 90% wrong in most predictions they do so this will be another cock up.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
reid; if I could find the interview with the EQC chairman this morning that was in either the Herald or Stuff he has outlined their position quite clearly.
Vote:The insurers liability as I understand it is that any shock after 48 hours is a new event and he was basically agreeing with this.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
any shock after 48 hours is a new event and he was basically agreeing with this.
If this becomes the eventual case then great news V2. Since there are 5 thousand million dollars riding on this principle however, I expect various people will be poring over it right now in fact.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
“Speaking on the day he launched the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, a global fund raiser for the recovery effort”
Fuck me Key has hit a new low.
We have always been a bloody nation of beggars now he is advertising that world wide.
What a tosser.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
This is an ideal time to correct the mistakes of WFF, interest-free student loans, ETS tax, etc and channel those funds towards Christchurch’s reconstruction.
Political courage, determination and intestinal fortitude are required from the present leaders of the nation. It’s time to act, John Key.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
“Political courage, determination and intestinal fortitude”
He will have to have a bit of a search around to see if he can find any of those Manolo.
I won’t be holding my breath while he looks.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Manolo
There is no doubt that Key has what it takes to lead our country through this catastrophe, the way he has handled himself these past few days has been fantastic, both Key and Parker deserve knighthoods for what the way they have led.
The issue as I see it is does he have the balls to do what is needed in the coming weeks and months
(re posted from GD)
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Guys, whilst I would love for the government to ditch WFF, Interest Free Student Loans, the ETS and all the rest of the useless shit that our money is wasted on, these measures do nothing for relieving the burden placed on the people of Christchurch.
We need measures that can be easily put in place that increase the employment and business prospects for the people of Christchurch. Similar measures to what I have suggested above, I’m sure others here also have some good ideas on what we can do to increase employment prospects, and I don’t mean hiring people into gummint departments – otherwise I would have posed my questions over at the circlejerk that is the stranded.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Whatever it is matty it needs to by on a massive scale. Something along the lines of huge tax cuts for small businesses, tax credits the more people a business employs etc etc.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
mattyroo
I do not disagree, however, first we have to rebuild the place, first we have to make sure that the people who live there have shelter and clean water, we have to make sure they are not taking a crap in their backyard for months on end.
The rebuilding of the economy can come later, right now we need infrastructure and roads, for that we need cash, bucket loads of cash.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Nasska,
“Your financial nous may be impeccable…… your sense of timing defies understanding.”
Former long serving mayor Garry Moore was interviewed the day after the quake. He already knew the scale of the disaster (suspected much higher loss of life), yet he carefully traced the history and culture of Canty and Chch and said the city needed to be rebuilt, and he outlined some of the ideas he had for that rebuild.
Geddit? Prominent Cantabs were certainly in shock and grieving but already looking ahead and offering a much needed vision for the place so as to reduce the culture shock of losing the CBD, the cathedral and churches that give the character of the city.
In the weeks and months ahead we will be mourning the newly identified dead and the horror tales that come from Chch, but at the end of the day we must give our dues to the vastly greater numbers of the living and their plight.
I’ve done my own grieving and dropped my own tears for the dead, but now I want to move on with hope and belief in Canterbury.. the same way my own parents had to move on when their homes were damaged, their friends killed and their lives changed in the heart of the Hawkes Bay Earthquake.
We’ve had five days of shock and grief, but now we have to move on and take care of the living.. charity can do its bit for sometime yet, but there’s nothing like a concrete plan and investment to start the process of normal life.
JC
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
It’s truly wonderful how blog pundits can sit back and pontificate about using an event like this to push their personal political agendas. While I’m not naive enough to believe in the goodness of human nature, sometimes what I see on the net truly makes me despair.
I’m from dunedin, so was not directly affected, but have spent the past four (very long) days inspecting damaged buildings, talking with individuals and families that we’re moving out of unsafe homes, and today, getting into the CBD inspections. Every one here is stretched, and there will be some serious psychological side effects on both volunteers and affected cantabrians.
I think taking some of the worst offenders on here (in terms of pushing their economic reform agenda) with me tomorrow into the CBD to actually experience (see, touch, hear and smell) the destruction might change a few minds, but then perhaps maybe not. The TV footage and photos do not do it justice – think post-apocalyptic horror films like 28 days, with a ruined city as well as total depopulation.
Talking with the ECQ guys – this event can be funded. All claims from the previous earthquake have been binned, and we’re starting from scratch. Public infrastructure wise, they were looking at six (6) years to restore BAU after the September quake – I’d say closer to ten (10) years now, given the scale of the damage to the previously weakened infrastructure. Do remember that EQC doesnt fund local authority spend, and that most of that is uninsurable.
This is a tragic event, with long-reaching social and economic impacts. Using it for insufferable point scoring on the internet is in my opinion, almost obscene.
Thus concludes my first, and likely last post on Kiwiblog. I’ll now return to lurking as an occasional reader (Blog itself good, comments generally vary between informative and rabid)… and yes I am aware that by posting I open myself open to the same criticism I have just made.
so it goes.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
mattyroo>We need measures that can be easily put in place that increase the employment and business prospects for the people of Christchurch. Similar measures to what I have suggested above, I’m sure others here also have some good ideas on what we can do to increase employment prospects, and I don’t mean hiring people into gummint departments – otherwise I would have posed my questions over at the circlejerk that is the stranded.
I think it will be months before people can get back in to the CBD, and maybe a year or longer before the destroyed buildings are replaced. I think after the rescue and recovery have completed and the water and sewerage have been repaired, the priority needs to be restoring normal commercial activity and employment. If not then businesses will fail and people will move away rather than spend the next couple of years on the dole. If normal employment doesn’t resume quickly then I think Christchurch will face a future with about half the population it does now.
My idea is to buy tens of thousands of shipping containers and fit them out as shops and offices. Bulk shipping containers cost about $2k each, or less. I’m sure that China could knock up 30,000 for a miserly $60million, complete with windows, doors, connections for internet and electricity, and fittings to allow modest stacking, and have them on site within a month or two. Place them all over Hagley Park for CBD businesses to move in to. Place them outside ruined suburban shops to allow trading to continue. Use some to support essential services and housing in the suburbs, providing the residents agree to stay on in Christchurch rather than just walk away from their properties with their insurance payouts.
Then when normality has resumed, park the containers somewhere dry for the next disaster, whether in NZ or overseas.
Vote:February 27th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Could anyone enlighten me to the tax breaks on donations. Will donations to this appeal and the red cross etc be tax detuctable? If so, will the Government make a statment as such.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 12:41 am
Fuck off Nikolai.
Most of what you term “rabid” is serious discussion on how we can quickly get businesses functioning again, so that they can employ people. The people most likely to lose their jobs in Christchurch; the tourist shop workers, the hotel employees, the already destroyed retail sector employees etc. etc.
Being a leftie though, it is hard for you to appreciate that gummint doesn’t create jobs, it only gets in the way of job creation.
Oh, and before you get off on your own self aggrandisement, consider what others here may have been doing to assist the people in Christchurch…. But we don’t need to tell everyone about it to make us feel better about ourselves. Dickhead.
[DPF: 20 demerits. Less personal abuse]]
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 7:35 am
I wouldn’t disagree with you. Key and Parker’s performance has been outstanding.
Precisely my point. It’s now the time to make the necessary corrections to the NZ economy.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 9:32 am
I’m just not sure I’m up for supporting businesses who chose not to get BI insurance.
Tax rises to support a recovery? Dumb.
Vote:February 28th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Agree about Key and Parker’s performance being outstanding, much as Natalie Portman’s is in Black Swan. Lest we forget it is but a performance though.
John Key’s global response quite literally beggars belief.
Vote:March 1st, 2011 at 9:05 am
To those ‘knockers’ out there, I put you in the same category as the looters and other scum seeking to take advantage of this devistating event. Why not appeal to the international community? New Zealanders are very quick to put their hands in their pockets in response to disasters o’seas. Get a grip and reflect on the words of JFK … ask not etc.
Vote: