Navy depart to help evacuate stranded tourists

The HMNZS Canterbury is heading to Kaikoura to help evacuate earthquake-stranded tourists and deliver emergency supplies to the region.

The South Island town has been cut off to the north and the south, after the massive 7.5-magnitude quake that jolted north Canterbury early on Monday caused widespread damage.

Air Commodore Darryn Webb, the Acting Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, says the multi-role vessel will pick up supplies on its way from Auckland.

It is expected to arrive on Wednesday morning.

The HMNZS Canterbury left Auckland on Monday night. Photo: SNPA

The New Zealand Defence Force has also deployed a seven-member team to help assess the damage.

A RNZAF NH90 helicopter flew the NZDF reconnaissance team and civil defence staff to Kaikoura on Monday afternoon.

A C-130 Hercules was deployed to Christchurch in advance of anticipated tasking requests and other defence aircraft and vessels have been placed on standby.

As well, more than 100 NZDF personnel from Burnham Military Camp and RNZAF Base Woodbourne are assisting Christchurch civil defence authorities.

Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says the immediate priority is getting clean water, food and other essential items to Kaikoura's residents and an estimated 1000 tourists there.

The items will be delivered by NH90 helicopters, which have already made a number of runs, and on board the Canterbury.

Mr Brownlee says other affected areas - including Hanmer, Waiau and Marlborough - have adequate communication and supplies at this stage.

Along with Prime Minister John Key, Mr Brownlee viewed the region from the air on Monday afternoon.

The quake, located near Hanmer Springs in north Canterbury at a depth of 15km, struck minutes after midnight and led to in two deaths.

There have been hundreds of aftershocks, and a local state of emergency has been declared in Kaikoura and Hurunui.

Mr Brownlee says the widespread destruction and subsequent aftershocks will take considerable time and resources to repair.

But he said any suggestions that the Earthquake Commission would be financially stretched in meetings its obligations "are ill-founded", adding that EQC was guaranteed by the Crown.