Corporate support for Canterbury

BusinessNZ CEO Phil O’Reilly says there has been overwhelming support from the business community wanting to be involved in the relief effort after the Christchurch earthquake.

Prime Minister John Key and Finance Minister Bill English are meeting with BusinessNZ’s Major Companies Group, chaired by Fonterra CEO Andrew Ferrier, this afternoon.

Mr Ferrier said the meeting had been scheduled in advance of the Christchurch earthquake but he felt the magnitude of the disaster required a response from New Zealand’s major companies.

“The opportunity to contribute to the relief effort for Christchurch will now be the main agenda item this afternoon,” Mr Ferrier said.

Mr O’Reilly said companies that wished to contribute but could not be present at today’s meeting should contact BusinessNZ phone 04 4966554 or smoakes@businessnz.org.nz.

Phil O’Reilly and Andrew Ferrier will make a statement to the media following this afternoon’s meeting.