Schools and early learning services

The Ministry of Education provided a range of support to early learning services and schools for staff, children and board members to support their well-being, including extra staffing and counselling support.

The regional office in Christchurch provided support for the Hurunui District and surrounding region, including:

  • staffing release to ensure staff can attend appointments related to the earthquake, such as insurance or EQC meetings, and to give time away for health and wellbeing
  • administrative support
  • additional staffing
  • support for staff counselling
  • ensuring schools have access to the wellbeing@school resource.

The Nelson office supported schools and early learning services in the Marlborough and Kaikōura areas, including:

  • contracting and funding a local Kaikōura psychologist
  • running workshops on wellbeing for schools in the  Kaikōura Community of Learning
  • access to the Wellbeing@School tool/resource.

The Ministry of Education has regional representation on the North Canterbury/Kaikōura Psychosocial Steering Group, led by the Canterbury District Health Board. It continues to work with local mental health services and other key government agencies.