The NZ AIDS Foundation has terminated the lease on its earthquake-damaged inner-city Christchurch building and is now searching for new premises. Currently the Foundation only has limited access to just one half of the Hereford Street offices so that some of its property can be retrieved. “Sadly the lovely old villa is just not up to it anymore, and may not be again, so we have terminated the lease agreement as of Friday, 18 March 2011,” a Foundation spokesperson says. It is understood the building owner plans to demolish the structure. Currently the NZAF South/Te Toka is operating from two offices of Christchurch Sexual Health at 33 St. Asaph Street. “The NZAF Positive Health Services staff are able to see clients there using laptops with remote access to our Auckland server so they can access files etc. They have been contacting clients directly by phone so counselling and support services are up and going again. HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis C testing is on hold this week but we are going to review the situation next week”. The Foundation's main Christchurch phone line was diverted to the NZAF Āwhina Centre in Wellington after the earthquake, "but since then it’s been diverted back to staff cellphones so callers are now able to get in touch with the NZAF on the ground in Christchurch,” the spokesperson says.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Thursday, 10th March 2011 - 3:10pm