Earthquake a wake-up call for Wainuiomata

The bus as it picks up Wainuiomata residents to take them to the supermarket (Newshub)
The bus as it picks up Wainuiomata residents to take them to the supermarket (Newshub)

Wainuiomata has found itself without a supermarket since Monday's earthquake, giving residents a wake-up call to be more prepared in case of future shakes.

The Countdown supermarket, along with the rest of the Wainuiomata Shopping Centre, remains closed while structural engineers assess damage to the building.

Hutt City councillor Campbell Barry says they hope to have an indication by the end of the week about when it can reopen.

"I think there's a lot of people that don't leave the valley - a lot of elderly people in our community, and they're the ones that it's going to have the biggest impact on," he says.

To help out, Countdown has begun a free bus service to its store in Petone, 15 minutes' drive away. Wainuiomata customers can also get free online delivery.

Store manager Blair Finlayson says staff have only been able to get limited access to the premises, which looks like "a construction zone".

Mr Finalyson says he intends to donate whatever food he can once he can get back in.

"Once we get full access to the shop again we'll be going through the stock and making relevant choices for food donations to local charities."

Mr Barry says the earthquake has been a wake-up call for the Hutt City Council, especially since Wainuiomata only has one major road for residents to leave by.

"We need to make sure we're prepared and self-sustainable if this were to happen in the future."

He says it's lucky the earthquake only gave the suburb a small shake.

Newshub.