Update 23 December - 6:00 PM

Christchurch has been struck by a further series of earthquakes today. Below is an update for our Christchurch  team.

Firstly everyone here at The Warehouse wants our Christchurch colleagues to know how much we feel for them. Words can’t express our thoughts for you all.

The most important thing for you to know is that your wellbeing and safety comes first. Once our affected stores reopen, if you or your family are uncomfortable about you coming to work, we want you to stay home. You will be paid for any time that you were scheduled to work.

We also do understand how much our customers will be relying on us and we will be doing our best to reopen stores as quickly as possible for them.

Currently Ashburton and Rolleston are unaffected and trading. We think we will have Rangiora open again at 6.00 PM tonight.

All other stores in Christchurch will remain closed until they have been cleared by a structural engineer.

Team members from Christchurch stores (apart from Rangiora and Rolleston) should not come back to work until they are contacted by some one from their store management team. This will occur once stores have been cleared by structural engineers.

The South Island Distribution Centre is unaffected and remains in operation. However, again, team members who feel unable to come to work for family or personal reasons should remain at home until they feel able to return to work.

We are currently in the process of contacting all of our team members based in the Christchurch area to check that they and their families are fine and to ascertain their needs.

At this stage we are aware of one  team member who has suffered injuries and has been treated.

If any team member or their family would like assistance from the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) please contact Andrew Bhimy  (contact number 021 951 433).

Detailed safety advice is being provided by local authorities and emergency services and you should be guided by this.

A further update will be provided as soon as we have more information.