Christchurch councillors slam call centre move

recovery, a group of councillors says, Stuff.co.nz writes.

Mayor Bob Parker has hit back at the criticism, saying squabbles have undermined the organisation and could force the government to appoint commissioners.

The council said this month it was moving its after-hours call centre from Christchurch for earthquake-related “business continuity” reasons.

The news was revealed in a letter to the press from call centre worker Robin Fernando, who said the decision to move the centre was made at a time of “extreme suffering” for Christchurch residents, Manawatu Standard says.

The Christchurch call centre was operated by Orion, which has held the contract for the centre since 2002.

Council public affairs GM Lydia Aydon said the council had decided to review the contract as a result of the strain placed on the Christchurch centre during aftershocks.