BUSINESS AS USUAL IN QUAKE-HIT CHRISTCHURCH, SAYS HIGH COMMISSIONER

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

SINGAPORE, April 9 (Bernama) -- It's all back to normal and business as
usual in New Zealand despite the country being rocked by a devastating
earthquake in February.

"For New Zealand, we just had an earthquake which was extremently
devasting and a big surprise, but we are still open for business.

"It is very important for people to understand that the quake was very
localised, only a part of Christchurch was affected.

"The rest of the country is functioning and even Christchurch is getting
back to normal," said New Zealand High Commissioner to Singapore Peter
Hamilton.

He said Christchurch Airport was operating as usual with AirAsia X flying in
and out of Kuala Lumpur while Jetstar was flying into New Zealand.

"The rest of the country is fine and I am always telling students and
tourists not to be put off by the earthquake. If they visit New Zealand they
will not see any sign of an earthquake having hit the place," he told Bernama
here today.

He admitted that Christchurch's central business district was already
reeling to recover from the 7.1-magnitude earthquake in September, before
disaster struck again in February.

Hamilton said the stage was now set to demolish many large buildings and
homes which were unsafe.

"The question now is what can be repaired and what has to be rebuild," he
said, adding that water and electricity supply has been restored to all
citizens.

As Christchurch moved into its recovery phase, New Zealand Prime Minister
John Key launched a global fundraising appeal.

"We are organising a big fund raising event for the New Zealand community
and friends of New Zealand at my residence here on April 17," he said.

The High Commissioner said: "The recovery effort is going to be a long drawn
out process, nevertheless, not the same as in Japan, where an 8.9 magnitude
earthquake and a tsunami left hundreds dead and thousands homeless.