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New Zealand earthquake: help arrives for stranded Kaikoura – live New Zealand earthquake: help arrives for stranded Kaikoura – live
(35 minutes later)
12.28am GMT
00:28
Kaikoura seal sanctuary 'destroyed'
As relief efforts continue for people affected by the quake and its fallout, concerns are also shifting to the fate of wildlife, especially in the South Island.
Kaikoura’s famed seal sanctuary at Ohau Point is reported to have been wiped out by a landslide.
Ian Angus, manager of marine species and threats at the department of conservation (DOC), said:
It is clear from reports that the recent earthquakes have impacted upon wildlife, including seals, penguins and seabirds. DOC’s immediate priority in the aftermath of the earthquakes is to assist Civil Defence with the recovery effort, including ensuring that structures and tracks are safe.
DOC is aware there has been a large slip at Ohau Point, which is a specially protected seal sanctuary. Images indicate the landslips are likely to have resulted in casualties to seals.
Some seals will likely have been out at sea foraging and so may not have been impacted. There are still places north and south of Ohau Point where seals can haul themselves out to rest.
Another significant species impacted is the Hutton’s shearwater, and other species such as blue penguins may have been affected.
Seals and seabirds are often found breeding or resting in exposed areas, such as a cliff or seashore, and so may be prone to further slips or landslides.
It will be important that the safety of the researchers can be ensured before visiting seal or seabird colonies. For this reason, a full assessment of the impact of the earthquakes on our wildlife may take several weeks.
12.10am GMT
00:10
Although relief efforts – and international attention – have been focused on Kaikoura, which has been cut off from road access since the quake struck in the early hours of Monday, other communities have also been hit. And some feel they need more help than they are getting, as Eleanor Ainge Roy reports from Waiau, the town closest to the epicentre:
Waiau, in north Canterbury, is home to 280 people. Its name means flowing water in Māori. And flowing water has been the community’s main concern these last couple of days, after unstable bridges over the grey Waiau river made road access impossible for relief vehicles, or residents wanting to leave.
Although located only 80km (50 miles) south-west of Kaikoura – where a massive relief operation is under way – people in Waiau feel they have been left to fend for themselves.
Since the 7.5-magnitude quake, food supplies have been salvaged from the collapsed pub and Brenda Smith’s tea shop. An elderly woman’s oxygen bottle has been hooked up to a farm generator to keep her alive.
About 200 people who no longer have a place to call home are camping on the grass beside a primary school playground.
Initial estimates by surveyors flown in to inspect the damage to the town suggest at least 15 buildings may have to be demolished, leaving as many as half of the residents facing an uncertain future.
The fire chief, Hugh Wells, said he realised the community would need to mobilise rapidly because help would not be arriving any time soon.
“I basically thought, if we are this bad, how bad is the rest of New Zealand? We need to be ready to feed and look after ourselves for a couple of days, at least, before help kicks in,” said Wells, his eyes bloodshot with fatigue.
“We haven’t really started getting any help till today. It has been very frustrating watching all the reporters flying around taking pictures from the sky but not landing to help us or see if we are OK.”
11.58pm GMT11.58pm GMT
23:5823:58
The initial magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit just after midnight as Sunday moved into Monday – 60 hours later, New Zealand has been shaken by 1,718 quakes, some severe.The initial magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit just after midnight as Sunday moved into Monday – 60 hours later, New Zealand has been shaken by 1,718 quakes, some severe.
New Zealanders have been warned that aftershocks are likely to continue for some time yet.New Zealanders have been warned that aftershocks are likely to continue for some time yet.
12 pm update: 37 eqs in the last hour, 336 eqs in last 12 hrs (21 over M4) and 1718 eqs since the M7.5. Kaikoura Earthquake #eqnz #Kaikoura pic.twitter.com/uikMZNkQB412 pm update: 37 eqs in the last hour, 336 eqs in last 12 hrs (21 over M4) and 1718 eqs since the M7.5. Kaikoura Earthquake #eqnz #Kaikoura pic.twitter.com/uikMZNkQB4
11.49pm GMT11.49pm GMT
23:4923:49
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the aftermath of Monday’s massive earthquake in New Zealand.Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the aftermath of Monday’s massive earthquake in New Zealand.
Relief efforts continue, with hundreds of people who have been stranded in Kaikoura, a coastal town in the South Island popular with tourists, starting to be shipped out to the HMNZS Canterbury, which has anchored nearby.Relief efforts continue, with hundreds of people who have been stranded in Kaikoura, a coastal town in the South Island popular with tourists, starting to be shipped out to the HMNZS Canterbury, which has anchored nearby.
We will have all the latest news here through the day. If you’re affected by the quake and its aftermath, please do contact me via the comments below or on Twitter @Claire_Phipps.We will have all the latest news here through the day. If you’re affected by the quake and its aftermath, please do contact me via the comments below or on Twitter @Claire_Phipps.