In response to the disastrous earthquake in Christchurch and in association with Mediaworks, 0133 will today deploy a free-to-call service to take non-emergency queries from the public - to ease pressure on emergency phone numbers.

They have created a free calling number 0800 96 0133 which will be available Thursday and Friday this week between 8am – 10pm, to assist the public, Christchurch emergency services, Civil Defence and Local Government.

Mediaworks will communicate this service as a joint initiative through all its media channels.

0133 was to launch its free telephone information service next month, but has brought forward its operations to help with the Christchurch emergency.

“We have all the phone systems, call-centre and technology in place for the launch of 0133, so we were pleased to be able to use it to help the people of Christchurch,” said 0133 co-founder Prentice Robb.

“We’ve been hearing about emergency numbers being swamped by callers seeking all kinds of basic information, so we acted to fill that gap and to help with the non-emergency calls,” he said.

“So many people don’t have any online access so they have no way of finding out even the most basic information. They’ll be able to call this number and ask pretty much anything they need to know – if we can’t tell them straight away, we’ll find out and phone or text them with the answer,” says Robb.

‘Mediaworks’ said that the network is delighted to be able to partner with 0133 to be able to help the Christchurch Community in a real and practical way. “Every call that goes to this number is one that isn’t jamming the lines of the emergency numbers.

“We’ll be broadcasting the number throughout the day right across the region,”

0133 has indicated it will extend the service if required.

Callers who are clearly distressed will be directed to call 111.

ENDS

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