Earthquake-related advice and support.

Residential Advisory Service (RAS)

This service is focused on progressing issues between home owners, insurance companies and the Earthquake Commission.

The Residential Advisory Service (RAS) provides:

  • free independent and impartial legal advice to help home owners navigate through their rebuild, repair or settlement issues
  • free technical advice of existing repair solutions (desk-top review)
  • free facilitated meetings with Insurers and other interested parties to try and achieve agreement on the way forward.

Call 0800 777 299 or (03) 379 7027 or visit the RAS website(external link). 

Canterbury Support Line

Connects callers to free and confidential services. The support line can help with questions, give information, and connect callers with free counselling services or organisations that can offer practical support, information or advice.

The support line is open seven days a week, from 9am to 11pm on 0800 777 846.

Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO)

The Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme resolves complaints about insurance and financial services. If you have an issue about insurance, loans or credit, superannuation, a financial adviser, investments or other financial services the IFSO Scheme may be able to help resolve it. The service is free and independent.

Call 0800 888 202 or visit iombudsman.org.nz(external link)

Ombudsman

The Ombudsman helps the community in its dealings with government agencies. They handle complaints against government agencies and undertake investigations and inspections.
It is independent and impartial.

Visit the Ombudsman website(external link) to find out how they can help with your complaint about a state sector agency, and what you need to do before coming to the Ombudsman.

Red Cross Transportation Service

A community transport service for those who need help with transport to medical appointments or community engagement activities. The Outreach team can also point people in the right direction for further assistance and provide a listening ear.

Call 0800 468 873 or visit redcross.org.nz(external link)