Extra support for Kaikoura businesses
Kaikoura businesses will receive a further eight weeks of financial support from the Government.
Businesspeople at a meeting with Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce breathed an audible sigh of relief when he announced the extension of the business support package through until mid-March.
It will now be made available to some businesses in Hanmer Springs and the wider Hurunui District for a total of eight weeks, backdated to the November 14 earthquake.
‘‘I think it’s been a fantastic relief for the whole town,’’ Whale Watch Kaikoura general manager Kouahi Ngapora said.
He was also interested in Joyce’s announcement the Government had made progress towards getting the marina working again.
‘‘For us, that’s the most exciting,’’ Ngapora said.
‘‘There’s still no start date, but what we know is ECan [Environment Canterbury] is really keen to get some assurance around funding.
Ngapora said contractors were already moving equipment into Christchurch and preparing it for when the dredging work got the goahead.
Whale Watch boats were partially grounded when the earthquake pushed the sea floor upwards, and they can only exit the marina for three hours at high tide.
Ngapora said divers had assessed the boats and they were not damaged.
‘‘Thankfully for us, the area under our boats is kind of like mud and limestone shingle.’’
His 70 staff were still turning up to work on a daily basis and still getting paid, he said.
Some were helping with community projects, including aiding contractors with traffic control, and some were preparing the business for reopening, whenever that might be.
‘‘So when the time comes, the homework’s already been finished,’’ Ngapora said.
Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray said keeping staff employed and paid was going to be a big challenge for local businesses.
‘‘[The package] is an absolute plus. It’s good news.’’
Joyce said it was ‘‘quite possible’’ there would be another extension to the package.
The Government has set aside $12.5 million for the support package. As of yesterday, 639 applications had been received.
Joyce said the biggest hold-up to getting Kaikoura business back up and running was likely to be the harbour and marina.
‘‘My suspicion is that the harbour will be the biggest choke point.’’