Abstract: This work in progress investigates the communication issues encountered and the strategies used by local government to communicate electronically with disaster affected individuals in the immediate aftermath of the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, NZ. It also provides a preliminary examination of the effects of information access on individual perceptions of community resiliency. We draw from a variety of data sources, including field research, interviews, and focus groups with local community members. Ongoing survey research will be integrated into future papers and presentations. This research provides insight into online crisis communications and the effectiveness of strategies to communicate with members of the public in a post-disaster environment when there is limited access to information via electronic channels. © 2012 ISCRAM.