Wellington business owners are being urged to lend their time and effort to help their Christchurch counterparts, by selling stock for them.
Hands Up Wellington has been formed by a group of Wellington firms, and will hold an expo over two days in the capital in early July for Christchurch's firms whose premises are out of action.
Wellington firms will be paired with Christchurch businesses and will set up the stand sell stock and bank the proceeds for them.
Rochelle Jackson of Kitchen Elements, who came up with the idea, says the expo is for small, owner-operated retailers. About five had so far signed up, and 120 are needed.
Organisations such as Wellington City Council, the local Employers' Chamber of Commerce, and entrepreneurs like Infratil's Lloyd Morrison and Gareth Morgan are supporting the group.
Ms Jackson says the expo is not a bargain sale, and the public can show their support by buying product at full retail prices. She hopes Auckland and other big centres will pick this up the idea.
Interested firms can find out more at www.handsupwellington.co.nz.
