Council says Kapiti ‘relatively unscathed’ by Quake

But K/I hears reports of stock damage in shops

By Alan Tristram

The Kapiti Coast Mayor, Jenny Rowan, says the District escaped from the big quake ‘relatively unscathed.’

But several shops the Kapiti Independent visited reported considerable stock damage as a result of the major shake-up in the 6.5 quake yesterday afternoon.

The Kapiti Coast Council says Council buildings and infrastructure have been checked for structural damage ‘after a series of significant earthquakes over the weekend.’

Only minor damage was found including two small leaks to water services at two individual properties — one in Ōtaki and the other in Paraparaumu (there was no damage to water mains) and several dislodged ceiling tiles in the Civic Building, it says. The minor leaks and the tiles have been fixed.

Mayor Rowan says whilst Kapiti appears to have escaped relatively unscathed, it is important residents are prepared in case of further earthquakes.  

“This is a timely reminder of how important it is to be prepared,” she says. “Most of us know we should drop, cover and hold as soon as we feel any shaking and we should have already identified where the safest places in our homes, offices or schools are so we can respond as quickly as possible.

“Every resident should also have emergency supplies stored at home, such as water, food, blankets, a first aid kit, warm clothes, torches and a radio. Being prepared in this way can save lives.”

Mayor Rowan is also urging Kapiti residents who work in Wellington CBD to heed calls to delay heading into work today to give landlords and engineers time to assess quake-damaged buildings.

“People should check with workplaces before heading into the Wellington City and if they do go in they should stay away from quake-damaged facades.  Roads into Wellington are also likely to be pretty congested with trains running and no buses available at such short notice to replace them.”