Earthquake

20th May 2011
Canterbury Business Recovery Trust Fund (CBRTF)

The Canterbury Development Corporation and the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce have come to together to form the Canterbury Business Recovery Group. (CBRG)

The Trust fund being run by this group has been set up to receive funds from the Government and the private sectors and distribute them to the benefit of the Canterbury Business Community.

What is the CBRTF?

The Canterbury Business Recovery Trust Fund is a collective fund managed by the CBRG to provide cash injections into strong but earthquake-affected businesses to ensure their survival through this crisis. Uses of the fund include the following but not limited to:         

•  Temporary location expenses
•  Permanent relocation costs
•  Connection to essential services such as telecommunications
•  Restoration of damaged ICT hardware and files
•  Access to expert advice and assistance

Who can apply for Assistance from the fund?

The money will be available to eligible businesses, eligibility criteria will include such factors as:     

•   Being a registered commercial enterprise holding an IRD number
•   Being Canterbury-based
•   Being impacted by the earthquakes experienced in the region since September 4th 2010
•   Being able to demonstrate that the funding has the potential to assist the entity to recover from the impact(s) of the earthquake
•   Being able to show that no other efficient survival or recovery options are available
•   Being willing to agree to milestones and timelines for reassessment.

For further information goto www.recovercanterbury.co.nz

 

1st March 2011
The Christchurch Earthquake Support Package which was announced on Monday 28 February 2011 is made up of two components in order to provide support to employers and employees affected by the February earthquake. These two components are: 

Earthquake Support Subsidy 
*This is a payment for employers to assist them in paying their employees. This subsidy is available to the self-employed or business owners who draw a wage; 

*The wage subsidy will be paid: 
        -For up to 6 weeks from 22 February 2011 
        -At a rate of $500 per week per fulltime employee (over 20 hours per week) 
        -At a rate of $300 per week per part time employee (20 hours or less a week) 

*The payment assists employers when they are unable to operate either due to damage, a cordon, or an essential service is not available, or where they can operate but are experiencing significant loss of trade; 

*You will need to be: 
        -A New Zealand owned business 
        -A Christchurch City Council Area based employer 
        -Self-employed, sole trader or contractor 
        -Unable to operate either due to damage, a cordon, or an essential service is not available, or where they can operate but are experiencing significant loss of trade 

*Employers who have business interruption insurance should contact their insurance company in the first instance. If insurance payments are to be delayed then this subsidy can be accessed to cover the intervening period, but you will be required to repay it when the insurance payment is received; 

*You are not able to qualify if you are an employer who can continue to operate and/or meet your obligations to pay your employees. 

Earthquake Job Loss Cover 
 *This is a $400 a week payment paid to fulltime employees ($240 for part time employees) for a period of 6 weeks; 

 *This applies to those who are unable to contact their employer or the business has closed permanently.


Payments will be made once your IRD details have been verified.

If you require any further information then please call HFK. Alternatively please call the Earthquake Government Helpline on 0800 779 997 or apply online for the subsidy at http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/.

28th February 2011
Our very best wishes are extended to you all, especially to those who have borne the brunt of this dreadful event.

HFK Limited and staff were very fortunate to have come through this event relatively unscathed.  We have received structural clearance from our engineers and we are now fully operational. 

One of our biggest priorities is to support our clients over the coming weeks and months.

As a result of the earthquake, there has been a significant amount of damage to property and business disruption is a likelihood for many.

The challenges facing you may include:

* Immediate staffing issues.  You may not be able to open or staff may not be available to work.

* Insurance claims for both property loss and business interruption.

* Operational issues where property has been damaged and is not able to be used.

* Cashflow issues while business returns to normal.

* IT system issues.  Either equipment support or accessing information.

Our phone, fax, emails and other communications are operating and we urge you to contact us if any information is required.  We will be regularly updating our website with additional earthquake related content so feel free to refer to this at any time .

If you have any investments under our administration we will communicate with you in this regard within the next few days.  Those of you who have GST due today, don’t worry about it, but contact us when you can and we can assist.  If you require any assistance with anything at all, please let us know.

The Inland Revenue Department has announced that they will take a sympathetic and realistic approach with businesses that are unable to meet their tax obligations as a result of the earthquake.  If you think that you will have difficulty meeting your tax obligations, please contact us  and we will liaise with the IRD on your behalf.

These websites may also be useful tools and sources of information: 
 http://www.ird.govt.nz/earthquake/
http://beehive.govt.nz/release/ird-will-take-flexible-approach-quake-victims
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/online-services/eesp/index.html

Other HFK news can be found here