I came home from work yesterday utterly exhausted and still without the answers to the questions I am being asked. I have visited so many people, whose lives are now in such a state of limbo – and I have done a lot of hugging of people who just don’t know what the future holds. I went back to Pacific Park, Bexley, yesterday morning - only 5-6 streets from where I live – just to see how everyone was. Orion got their power on after I called them the night before, so at least the ones who were still there had some warmth and light, and the water was on as well.
The problem for these people and many others where there are pockets of major damage is that they don’t know what’s going on. And I have found it difficult to get information. As local MPs we have not been given direct access to someone who can find answers to our constituent’s questions. This is a flaw in our civil defence processes that I would like to see addressed – I am not saying that MPs should get special treatment – I just think people who represent others need to be able to get answers. I have been trying to get priority EQC assessments for Pacific Park, Brooklands and the ones off Kingsford Street – so that they can make decisions. The news release from civil defence this morning suggests this may be happening, but I don’t know if I can rely on it.
Civil Defence have over-ridden a press release put out by the Minister of Education at 3.30pm yesterday. This actually isn’t good enough. The public is reliant on news reports and when they hear mixed messages they don’t know what the answer is. It’s an important issue – the Ministry says schools are out until Monday – Civil Defence says they are out today and beyond that, it is case by case for each Board of Trustees. Parents do not need this level of uncertainty and I know people are very busy, but the problem has been created in Wellington. I have contacted both Minister’s offices and Civil Defence says theirs is the correct position and the Minister of Education’s office hasn’t rung me back – even though I called an hour ago. So my message to Wellington is “get your act together” and let us know what’s going on!
You’re right this does need to be sorted out!
Glad you’re helping
Is this the start of your petty politicking Lianne? I’m frustrated with your frustration but why can’t you leave the experts to do their job. The aftermath isn’t going to be perfect but let the lessons be learnt. I also have it on very good authority that the power did NOT come on as a result of your call. Personally I would be far happier hearing information from people who know what they are talking about rather than second or third hand information from political mouthpieces.
I know that property inspectors, engineers etc… are doing a great job under huge pressure and timeframes, the visit to my house yesterday gave great piece of mind.
Re the schools, it appears that the media is well ahead of you Lianne.
If that’s true then at least she tried to get the power on and then it came on and she thought that she did. Either that or she did get it on!
She’s just being honest about what she’s finding. Communication needs to be better.
Lianne – to be fair i think that there is many communication issues across the city and it is a bit petty to say there is not access to info. There has been an issue all week and there is a need for people to physically pass on information at a time of crisis. That is why MPs like us becoming important information distributors.
There is massive amounts of traffic going through the 0800 damage and govt help line numbers seeking information and that is the right avenue. I distributed hundreds of flyers to people with these details on Monday. The people I speak to are also unclear about what happens next, but the best thing that we can do is for people is to ensure that they have the right contacts and MPs focus on getting people through the right channels asap. EQC will have 120 people on the ground today and more are coming. But there are 100,000 damaged properties. In a Civil Defence Emergency they have precedent. It is a very fluid situation. but things are happening there is simply a massive volume of work to be done.
Aaron
This is a clear case of politicting. I suppose it is inevitable that Labour need something to complain about.
It seems to me the Mayor and everyone from the Prime Minister down are paying close attention to this disaster and they have a real understanding of the magnitude of the earthquake. The actions taken to date have been excellent and appropriate.
Listening to the radio (Radio Live) drove home to me how stressed people really are. But no one was complaining about lack of information. They seem to understand that the situation is very fluid and after shocks such as were experienced this morning means that some sites may need to be re-evaluated.
I have been listening to the news reports and if I was local (and I am so thankful I am not) I think I would have a very clear understanding of what is going on or where to get information that would be relevant to my particular situation (filtering information to te appropriate target is critical in disasters otherwise there would be an information overload)
Unfortunately for some there is an information underload!
Politicking? Petty? The responders so far… Pompous!
I only found yesterday I could call the fire dept to get my chimney checked. I learned that from a friend. We’re all tired and a bit frustrated, MPs would be no exception.
Hey well done Lianne with the Education issue. It was gobsmacking to hear those conflicting statements! I also thought there would be a truly bi-partisan approach to this stuff. Seems not. Some things should be beyond politics. earthquakes and peoples’ well being are high on the list.
Spud, there is information underload and then there is voyeurism. We all jsut love to read and hear about bad things happening to other people. A letter is todays Press picked Mark Sainsbury on Close Up on disappointing programming for finding families hardest his for a story whereas they could have found some good things that are happening, for example the work of the emergency services, council officials, civil defense, engineers, Orion (that Lianne feels she has a hot line to), those getting water and sewage back on line etc….
3zb radio is the best source of local news..lots of people texting them and phoning in. Most things in the paper on the net are a bit out of date..the 3zb people are doing everything they can to a solve problems and connect people.
A local hero is Sam Johnson , the young man who organized the students..he and his gang are in Kaiapoi today and tomorrow ..have already worked in Halswell and Avonside.
I think Mr Gilmore needs to do some remedial English.
Since my original post I have had a long conversation with my Aunty in Chch to ensure all my extended family (and there are a lot of them 7 families including cousins families) are all ok – but they have never been so terrified in their lives. The area of Christchurch where they live is largely unaffected due to the shingle sub-strata. The extent of damage to the wider infrastructure remains the biggest issue – but the CCC are getting services connected and in spite of everything ahead they are positive about the future.
Following on from my earlier post this morning they have nothing but praise for the media, the mayor and the Government. They said that the information available has been excellent and the last thing they do not want is information overload – they just need to get information specific to their needs. She is so worried that they have only had a few hours sleep in the past 5 days – but health at this time takes prededence over everything else.
Thank you all for your “helpful” responses and I am sorry that some of you have decided to say that it is “politicking” to want to be able to answer the questions that my constituents, who elected me to represent them, are asking. I don’t care whether I got the power on or not, I know when I spoke to Orion about another area that was without power, their system wasn’t showing as many affected as were. My involvement did help on that occasion – as recorded by a grateful constituent in a letter to the editor this morning. For those whose houses may end up being condemned they haven’t got enough information. They have seen no one except their local MP and I am trying to help as best I can. I received a personal phone call from the Minister of Education this morning and she explained exactly what the situation was – which was different from what was released yesterday. She was great and has sent a personal email to everyone explaining what the situation was. I also received a message from the Minister of Social Development’s office offering help after reading this post, but we were able to tell her that the New Brighton office of Work & Income had been great. So enough of this please. My post was answered by the powers that be and I am grateful to them for that. And to top it all off, I have just had the building my office is in closed – and am decamping to Ruth’s office, which is an unwelcome distraction from getting around the badly affected parts of my electorate.
@Simon
1, I was thinking about the poor saps who only have access to their battery powered radios or less and others who are not getting the info that they need.
2, People who don’t live in Christchurch have friends and relatives who do!
3, voyeurism? Hell yes! This is big news and it is interesting. Personally I’m only voyeristic about seeing the damage to the buildings. I feel sad for the people
4, I would be worse not to know, worry from lack of info is not good
5, You can cure information overload by walking away from the computer / tv.
Spud – like your number 5 but sometimes the problem is recognising you have a problem
So true
The politicing in this matter is the result of a right wing media loading up pictures of John Key and forgeting there is any other politician in Christchurh then fawning before the Mayor. It is tiresome. John Banks must be praying for a tsunami in Auckland!
Lianne, if you need portaloos it is may be possible to get some from Marlborough, most vineyards here have them and shouldn’t need them for the next couple of months. If it’s desperate something can probably be arranged. Ask Brendon he’ll know how to contact me.
You are doing your job as you should be Lianne ignore the armchair critics who are politicising this for their own self interest.