Kiwibank.
Canterbury Earthquake – we’re here to help
If you’re a Kiwibank customer who's been affected by the Christchurch quakes, we can help.
Help for Kiwibank customers
If you were affected by the quakes and have a home loan or your business banking with us, you can apply for:
- a three month repayment holiday on your loans (including business banking loans)
- a $1,000 overdraft, or an increase of $1,000 on your existing personal overdraft or revolving credit facilities.
Please note: interest will continue to accrue during the three month repayment holiday, and will be added to the loan principal.
Red zone? We can help
We have a special home loan package for people eligible for the Government’s red zone assistance.
If you accept the offer from the Government and wish to purchase or build a property elsewhere, we’re offering:
- a 2% p.a. discount on our variable rate for a year from drawdown – this means that the rate will be 3.65% p.a.
- no application fee for new home purchases
- no fixed rate break costs or early repayment fee if you already have a Kiwibank home loan.
You’ll need to:
- contribute the Government’s net payout towards the property purchase price, and
- have your salary direct credited to a Kiwibank account.
The maximum loan amount is $500,000, and the loan needs to be drawn down before 31 December, 2012.
For more information, call us on 0800 222 224.
Talk to us
We have a response centre for our home loan and business banking customers at our business banking centre at 50 Durham Street, South Sydenham.
If you’d like to talk to someone face–to–face, you can make an appointment with the response team by calling 03 365 8178 between 9am and 5pm.
If you’d rather talk to someone on the phone, you can call:
- 0800 222 224 for home loan enquiries
- 0800 601 601 for business banking, or
- 0800 11 33 55 for general assistance.
Insurance claims
Much of the damage will be covered by Earthquake Commission (EQC) Cover funded by the government, and you can contact the EQC claim lines (see contact details below).
Earthquake Commission Claims
Claims Line Info Line
0800 Damage / 0800 326 243
The Kiwibank/Tower claim line to call is 0800 222 491
Other assistance
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has collated all information about where people who’ve been affected by the Canterbury earthquake can apply for Government assistance.
This assistance includes financial grants, housing, welfare centres, emotional support agencies, ACC claims for injury and schooling information. You can find links to all the information on MSD’s website at:
Information to help cope with trauma and stress – from EAP Services
EAP Services have been busy in the Canterbury region since the original quake in September.
A key issue they’re being asked about is how people can care for children in traumatic situations. Below you can find their information sheet on caring for children who’ve been affected by the quake, as well as their Trauma pamphlet.
Helping children cope with the Canterbury Earthquake (PDF 159 KB)- EAP Trauma Services brochure (PDF 48 KB)