Quake-hit residents tell rubberneckers to scram

Rubberneckers are being told to stay away from quake-stricken Kaiapoi and Pines Beach, as stressed residents complain of feeling like a "freak show".

"Residents are getting really irritated with the number of people coming to inspect the damage in the centre of Kaiapoi town and in residential areas," said Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer.

"Some have told us they are tired of being treated like a freak show, and we are urging rubberneckers to simply stay away."

Kaiapoi and neighbouring communities Pines Beach and Kairaki were hard-hit in last week's quake, with nearly 400 houses categorised as unsafe and its New World supermarket closing. Residents learned yesterday they faced months and even years of work before water and sewerage systems could be fully restored.

The town centre re-opened yesterday for the first time, but an overnight curfew remains in place indefinitely

"Many of our Kaiapoi people, like others in Canterbury, need time and space to deal with the situation they are in, and we urge potential visitors to respect their needs for privacy, particularly this weekend," Mr Palmer said.

The council was also concerned over reports of bogus insurance assessors "casing" homes in the district for possible burglaries later. He advised people to ask for identification and call police if they remained suspicious.

People needing financial support should go to welfare centres where agencies like Work and Income are available, Waimakariri Civil Defence controller David Ayers said.

He also urged those who had left the district to give their contact details to council.

Some families have fled the region, or sent their children to stay with relatives elsewhere, with Canterbury being hit repeatedly by aftershocks nearly a week after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

Mr Ayers asked Waimakariri District residents to keep a close eye on their neighbours as the post-quake response carried on.

"It is important that we all support each other in these difficult times. Please watch out for your neighbours, particularly vulnerable members of the community such as the elderly."

People were also responsible for their own rubbish, and should not throw it on the street.

Rubbish, including earthquake damaged furniture, rubble, food, wet carpet and other material damaged by sewage, could be dumped at the refuse pit at Southbrook transfer station, he said. Clean, uncontaminated rubble and concrete, bricks and tiles could be put in the Southbrook hardfill skip.