Recovery Support

Free counselling support

Trained counsellors are available for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for mental health support following the extreme weather events.

To speak to a counsellor, phone or text Need to Talk? on 1737 for help with anxiety or mental health after an extreme weather event.

As well as this help line, did you know you're also able to receive three free sessions with a counsellor. You’ll just need a referral from your General Practitioner (GP) / family doctor.

You can also contact:

• Depression Helpline - Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 to talk through issues with a trained counsellor
• Lifeline – phone 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
• Anxiety Line – phone 0800 2694 389 (0800 ANXIETY)
• Healthline – phone 0800 611 116
• Alcohol Drug Helpline – Call 0800 787 797 or text 8681 for confidential advice, information or support about drinking or other drug use.
• https://www.pict.org.nz (for Pacific people) - 07 577 1270

Support for our young people

• Youthline – Text 234, call 0800 37 66 33
• Sparklers at Home
• Gumboot Friday
• The Lowdown – phone 0800 111 757, free text 5626

In case of an emergency, call 111.

For more wellbeing tips, resources, and tools, go to allsorts.org.nz.

Free Wellbeing Apps

Below are some really helpful and free apps to support your wellbeing. You can download these apps for Android and Apple devices from Google Play and the App Store.

The Balance App

The Balance app is a wonderful resource which helps you manage your mental health and improve stress, sleep, mood, and more. This app is free in your first year of using it. Download the app on the Apple Store or on Google Play.

Groov

Co-founded by All Black legend, Sir John Kirwan, Groov gives you the tools to make small daily steps that create big changes for your daily wellbeing. Download it on the Apple Store or on Google Play.

Podcasts

What Matters Most’ Podcast - Vol X Looking After Yourself In The Face Of Natural Disasters

Hosted by Jacqui Maguire, a clinical psychologist, and Antonia Prebble, actor and presenter, in this episode Jacqui breaks down the three stages we typically go through following a natural disaster and how we can best look after ourselves – and one another – during these different periods. The pair also discuss what PTSD can look like, plus how to find a new routine, hope and gratitude in the wake of a major event. And, importantly they delve into exactly what we can do to care for and support children who are caught up in natural disasters.

Listen to this chat on Player FM or Apple podcasts.

‘After the Disaster’ Podcast

Hosted by disaster recovery expert, Dr Kate Brady, and with the support of the Australian Red Cross and the University of Melbourne, After the Disaster is another brilliant resource which gives you practical tips and evidenced-based advice on how to find your way through a disaster.

This includes tips for responding to questions like what should you expect? How do you look after yourself and the people around you? Why are relationships, the endless paperwork, emotions and parenting so hard right now? When are things going to feel normal again?

Listen to the podcast on Apple podcasts.

Free support for processing home insurance claims

If you would like support and advice on your residential home insurance claim, the New Zealand Claims Resolutions Service (NZCRS) can help.

The NZCRS is a free and independent service that provides residential homeowners with advice, case management support where appropriate and access to legal, technical and wellbeing services to help them achieve timely, fair and enduring resolution of their residential insurance claims resulting from natural disasters.

They are there to help whether you're unsure of what your insurer is telling you or have specific questions about either your insurance policy or the process that will be followed to settle your claim.

Do your homework before accepting a settlement.

Homeowners should ask their insurer who will manage the repair – will your insurer arrange for the repair work to be done, or will you be responsible?

It’s critically important you don’t incur any costs or agree with your builder on any contract until the insurer has accepted any changes and/or the cost variations. If the insurer is going to carry out the repair, it’s still important to check the scope to make sure you agree with it.

You can contact NZCRS on 0508 624 327, or visit website nzcrs.govt.nz

Adverse Events | Rural Support Trust NZ

We're here to help and support during and following an adverse event.

We're directly linked into local Civil Defence and Rural Advisory Groups to provide information and assist you in getting emergency or on-going help. This may include movement of stock, financial and/or family support, labour or other needs during or following an adverse event. After an event we provide needs-based support to help your family, farm and community to recover.

Placards indicate whether or how a building may be used. There are three placard colours. When a Rapid Building Assessor makes a judgement on the usability of a building, they are required to outline this on the placard they choose to use.

To get a placard changed or removed, building owners should in the first instance contact their local council/territorial authority as well as their insurer. You cannot remove or change a placard yourself. Tenants should contact their landlord for more information.

The territorial authority should be able to tell the owner what steps will need to be taken to have a placard changed or removed, while the owner's insurer will be able to provide information regarding what professionals and inspections will need to be organised (eg geotechnical or structural engineers, licensed building practitioners).

A territorial authority may need evidence about the structural status of the building after any repair work recommended by the building owner's insurer.

https://www.building.govt.nz/managing-buildings/managing-buildings-in-an-emergency/rapid-building-assessment-placarding-system