Motueka community responds to Christchurch disaster

February 24th, 2011

The Motueka community is responding to the Christchurch earthquake disaster, with Te Awhina Marae leading an initiative to house and care for Christchurch people needing to get away from their wrecked homes and shaky city for a break.

The marae is being assisted directly by congregations at most of the town's churches. First National Real Estate is also running a collection service for non-perishable relief supplies that are being transported daily to Christchurch.

In a programme named "Sanctuary for our Canterbury Whanaunga", the marae has opened its doors for people who have chosen to evacuate from Canterbury for the time being. Up to 80 people in families can be temporarily housed on the premises at the wharenui, and other buildings are being used for single people. Pets are welcome.

Te Awhina is providing breakfast and lunch, but they have also got support initially from the Uniting Church, St Thomas Church, Motueka Baptist Church, St Peter Chanel Church, the Christian Fellowship, Church of Christ, and Truthfinders. For the first week from Sunday February 27th these churches are taking a night each to provide a hot meal. By then it is hoped that other community organisations will help in this way, taking responsibility for one meal during the second and subsequent weeks. This is seen as a medium-term programme.

Uniting Church minister Peter Norman says that the churches have groups within them who are used to catering for functions, so they will not necessarily need any additional help. They will use food and vegetables donated by the community - already many people have been delivering food. Peter says the church folk will not just be feeding but also offering to talk and provide moral and spiritual support.

"Many of the whanau who are leaving Christchurch are traumatised, often with their only possessions being the clothes they are wearing," says Marae Coordinator Donna McLeod.

"In order to provide the manaakitanga needed, we are asking for the following donations: food, blankets and duvets, towels, flannels, toiletries including soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo etc, hairbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels, first aid, board games, puzzles, packs of cards etc."

Volunteers are also needed to support the whanau during the day, sleep over at night, clean the toilets and generally keep the Marae tidy. Donna says schools are offering to look after children, and the community's churches are also committing to help the initiative. Police and Maori Wardens are also offering assistance.

Please bring any donations to the office at Te Awhina, or phone Fiona or Donna at if you have something which needs to be collected, or you are able to volunteer some time.

Donna said on Sunday that the operation is gearing up well, thanks to lots of help being offered. Coppins has donated four large tents for overflow accommodation. A chiller is being used to store excess food items, so no food will be wasted. And the word is starting to get out that visitors are welcome and will be assisted to get emergency living grants where appropriate.

Those Motueka people wanting to provide relief supplies for people in Christchurch can drop off items at the offices of First National Motueka (corner of High and Tudor streets, phone ), where they are delivered daily to Christchurch.

Supplies that would be useful would include bottled water, disinfectant, tea and coffee, long life milk, Milo, Weetbix and breakfast cereals, canned items of easily prepared meals such as spaghetti and baked beans, packaged biscuits and cakes, noodles and pasta, meusli bars, candles and batteries, matches, toilet paper, dishwasher liquid, washing powder, toothpaste and brushes, soap and shampoo, womens toiletries, towels, blankets, plastic cups, pens and paper, and any other non-perishable items.

Comment by Sue Clark:
[Posted 25 February 2011]

Now there's a great idea for the produce from the community garden. I shall be donating pumpkins and butternut to the marae for the Canterbury people, this is a good place for the (community garden) product to go too.

Editor's note: The community garden trust agrees with this suggestion and is acting on it. Thanks.

Later news item added:
[Posted 9 March 2011]

Three Motueka High School students have been preparing food for campers at Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp, who have come to the Motueka district to get away from the devastation in Christchurch. Local orchards, farmers and businesses have donated ingredients and food technology students, led by teacher James Tait, have been turning them into meals. Muffins, biscuits and hot meals including macaroni cheese, spaghetti bolognaise and soup are on the menu.

Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp is offering free camping for those affected by the earthquake in Christchurch for up to a fortnight and manager Rob Guild said about 30 families had taken up the offer. Nine were camping in Kaiteriteri when the earthquake hit.

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