Christchurch Earthquake

Social recovery given less attention than rebuild - report

13:01 pm on 21 December 2012

Support services in Canterbury say the post-earthquake social recovery of the province has been largely ignored.

The Canterbury Report, produced by the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services and Christchurch social services agencies, was released on Friday.

It finds that while attention has been given to business recovery, repair of infrastructure and the rebuild of the central city, there's been less focus on social recovery.

The report says the needs of social service agencies who have continued to operate in very difficult circumstances have been overlooked.

Christchurch City Missioner Michael Gorman says his organisation is facing increased demand for services like food banks, counselling and social work.

He says the mission has given out 300 more food parcels than at the same time last year.

Mr Gorman says the report contains an implicit commitment from the agencies that they will continue to work with those in immediate need.