Canterbury Earthquake
This Recovery Toolkit contains a number of resources to help small businesses recover from the February 22 earthquake. Find out more about crisis management, workplace emergency preparation and planning and how to prepare an evacuation plan or recover from a disaster.
On this page:
- Articles and documents you can read
- Online training you can use
- Healthchecks and templates
- Useful links
Articles and documents you can read
Recovering from a disaster - This article outlines some of the steps you can take to help your business recover from a disaster. It focuses on safety, possible claims for compensation and the need for communication.
Crisis management - Planning for disasters and other crises that could affect your business is not as difficult as it sounds. The trick is to assess where your business is at risk and to put plans in place to mitigate any possible damage or costs. This article explains how to go about doing just that.
Workplace emergency planning - Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, businesses have an obligation to be prepared for an emergency. Put together a Workplace Emergency Plan for your business. Access this link for some tips on how to get started.
Preparing an emergency plan - This 20-page manual will help you identify the hazards your business faces and develop an appropriate emergency plan for your business. Use these checklists to help you minimise hazards, improve safety, put in place processes and document them in your emergency plan.
Preparing a building evacuation plan – An evacuation plan for your place of work is obligatory under New Zealand legislation. Use this guide produced by the New Zealand Fire Service to develop an evacuation scheme that is appropriate for your building.
When Trauma and Grief Come to Work - A practical handbook for organisations, employers and managers to support staff, clients and customers after the Canterbury Earthquakes.
| Video case studiesWatch video cases studies about how Christchurch businesses coped with the earthquake. |
Online training you can use
10-step survival plan - The 10 Step business survival plan is designed for businesses under stress. It takes the approach that the best way to confront market turmoil is through strategy, planning and doing something now.
Financial forecasts - This online training module leads you through some key financial forecasting tools that will help you manage your business better and develop a more solid foundation to your business planning.
Healthchecks and templates
You can use these Healthchecks and templates to help you assess your business and get back on your feet if possible:
Your financial healthcheck - Use our handy tool to check your business' financial health and identify areas to focus on to improve the financial health of your business.
Five ways to increase profit - Small changes in five key areas of your business can have a major impact on your profit. Use this template to calculate whether identified changes will help to keep your business profitable.
Consolidate your debt - Consolidating your debts into one loan may result in lower costs. A lower overall interest rate and lower combined fees could contribute to improved cash flow overall. Use this template to work out whether debt consolidation is the best option for your business.
Useful links
- IRD: tax information and and advice for businesses affected by the earthquake.
- Work and Income: advice and assistance scheme information.
- Department of Labour: advice for employers and employees.
- Recover Canterbury: practical advice and information for business recovery following the Canterbury earthquake.
Earthquake assistance information
Advice, updates and latest information regarding the Canterbury earthquake.
Business earthquake recovery video case studies
Watch videos about how Christchurch businesses coped during the earthquake.
Earthquake tax changes – what you need to know
Overview of the tax obligations and concessions for businesses effected by the Canterbury Earthquake.
