Site news

This post has been superseded by a more recent update and is kept here for archival purposes.

Good morning

I hope everyone had a relatively undisturbed night.

The Incident Management Team has met this morning and I can report that there is no change to the update provided last night at 8.30pm regarding campus closures i.e. all Wellington region campuses are currently closed to staff and students with the specific exceptions related to the Whitireia Performance Centre and Wikitoria Katene Block in Porirua.

Please also note the following:

1. Our first priority is staff and student safety. Facilities will not be opened until cleared by an engineer. For leased facilities this is dependent on landlords and for our own facilities dependent on sourcing engineers who are clearly stretched at the moment. We expect most facilities to be inspected today.
2. WelTec staff still have no access to IT services including email due to a fault caused by the power outage in Petone and restricted access to WelTec Petone campus. This issue is being worked on as a matter of priority. Whitireia and WelTec managers are asked to use all possible alternative means to ensure WelTec staff are kept up-to-date.
3. In the event that, following inspection, some buildings require remedial work and/or extended clean up, contingency plans are being developed to provide for alternative accommodation/access to services etc. We do not know yet whether this will be necessary with the exception of the Whitireia Library which will certainly require some time for clean up.
4. Students can be assured that any issues regarding examinations, assessments, catch up lessons etc will be addressed sympathetically. Students should also be reminded of the availability of support from Vitae. This service is, of course, also available to concerned staff.

A further update will be provided at mid-day today.

I would like to put on record my appreciation of the work that has been carried out already by the Campus Services team and the IT team who have been working tirelessly to resolve these issues for all our benefit.

Kia kaha.


Chris Gosling, Chief Executive

Additional information

The following summary of the state of things generally in Wellington may also be of interest. Thanks to Tod Cooper and Stuff.

CBD

• The CBD will be open again for business on Tuesday, however people are being asked to check with employers if their buildings are safe to return to work.
• Parts of Featherston St will be a no-go area and will be blocked off as further assessments take place.
• Car parking may be an issue because a number of car parks still need to be assessed by engineers. Carpooling and public transport are recommended.

ROADS

• Motorists are being strongly advised to take extra care if they are on the road overnight – a combination of continuing quake tremors and heavy rain raises the risk that rockfalls and landslips could come down on roads in steeper parts of the region.
• The region's acting Civil Defence controller, Anthony Wilson, said: "The conditions are right for landslips – so motorists should be extra vigilant, especially on blind bends. Better still, stay home if you can."

WEATHER FORECAST

• High winds are forecast for this evening through until Tuesday morning, which could dislodge broken glass and other materials from buildings damaged in this morning's strong earthquakes.
• Heavy rain is expected from nightfall.

RAIL

• The Johnsonville and Kāpiti lines will be running normal Tuesday schedules. Inspections are still being completed on other lines before trains for Tuesday can be confirmed.

BUS

• Buses will run on Tuesday, but check for latest information and arrival times.
• Diversions will remain in place in the CBD for safety reasons, with the risk of falling glass in the high winds.

FERRY

• All harbour ferry sailings are cancelled. There will be no services on Tuesday due to damage to the wharf at Days Bay.
• There will be no shuttles operating, but the Eastbourne bus services should be running to timetable.
• Interislander ferry sailings were set to resume from 6pm on Monday, but only for vehicles and freight.
• Damage to the Picton terminal has meant foot passengers cannot be accommodated.
• Both the Kaitaki and Kaiarahi vessels have been cleared for use in Wellington.

AIR

• Wellington International Airport is still operating, but there continues to be disruptions to flight schedules. Those flying in an out of the capital should continue to check the airport's website and with individual airlines for the latest information.

WATER

• Some issues with stormwater. Drinking water is safe and wastewater systems are working.

SCHOOLS

• No blanket school closures, but most are closed and some exams cancelled, so check with your schools.

TSUNAMI ALERT

• Tsunami warnings have been lifted for the Wellington region, but residents are advised to take care around marine and beach areas.