Join us in nationwide appeal | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty Times publisher APN News & Media is joining the nationwide appeal for funds to help Christchurch earthquake victims with a company contribution of $100,000 and it will use its newspapers, magazines, websites and radio stations across the country to rally other Kiwis to donate.

Chairman Gavin O'Reilly said APN was adding its weight to the growing number of companies coming to the aid of Christchurch people still reeling from the continuing aftershocks of one of the most devastating natural disasters of a generation.

"Structural damage is measured in the billions of dollars. Thousands of homes have been affected, a large number beyond repair. People everywhere are asking how they can help," Mr O'Reilly said.

APN launched a national media campaign today encouraging New Zealanders to support the Christchurch Mayoral Earthquake Appeal, which was being administered by the Red Cross.

In a joint statement, the chief executives of the publishing and radio divisions of APN, Martin Simons and John McElhinney, said the appeal was designed to mobilise the nation.

"It is time for New Zealanders to support a community in need," they said.

"The impacts of the earthquake are only just starting to be appreciated. Apart from the destruction of some of the country's iconic buildings, this event will leave thousands of people in temporary accommodation for months."

At present, the worst affected people are sheltering with family and neighbours but as more houses are declared unsafe the pressure on rental accommodation and welfare agencies will become severe.

The APN appeal follows the great leadership being shown by many New Zealand companies including the ANZ Bank, Westpac, BNZ, Fonterra, Fletcher Building, the Warehouse, Westfield shopping centres and Foodstuffs in making substantial donations.

The APN chiefs said the company's role was to mobilise the country's general population using its strong regional publishing brands such as the Bay of Plenty Times and bayofplentytimes.co.nz, regional radio, and national brands such as The New Zealand Herald, Newstalk ZB, The New Zealand Woman's Weekly and nzherald.co.nz.

While government funds would help rebuild the infrastructure of Christchurch, and insurance would meet the needs of many, lots of people "many uninsured" would be forced further into poverty by this disaster.

New Zealanders had always given generously to help others in times of crisis, and this one is happening in our midst.

Bayfair Shopping Centre in Mount Maunganui is calling on the local community to help those affected by the Canterbury earthquake by donating non-perishable food items and cash. Yesterday, AMP Capital Shopping Centres in Auckland, Mount Maunganui and Christchurch started collecting. Bayfair's drop-off point is located at the information desk, outside Kmart.

Western Bay of Plenty Grey Power will be collecting for the Christchurch Earthquake victims at the Tauranga Boat & Leisure Show which starts tomorrow at Baypark.