National police response continues to support Christchurch rescue effort

See our New Zealand Earthquakes page for ongoing updates - infonews.co.nz

Police say they will continue to work until everyone in Christchurch is accounted for.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls, Specialist Operations, Police National Headquarters, says the focus has been, and continues to be, the rescue of those people who are alive and trapped in the rubble.

"We will continue to work together with civil defence, emergency services and military personnel until everyone is accounted for," he said. "An operations group is working out of Police National Headquarters in Wellington providing support to Canterbury District.

"Police DVI staff confirm 39 people have lost their lives. We know that the final number who have perished will tragically be much higher.

"Police and emergency services are well prepared for this situation. Our staff are well trained and we have plans and procedures in place that are working well," Mr Nicholls said.

Significant extra police resources have been deployed to Christchurch with over 235 extra staff arriving from other districts.

"Some staff arrived last night and some are due to get on the ground in Christchurch this morning."

These include 50 staff from Auckland, 30 from Counties Manukau, 50 from Wellington, 63 from Southland and 42 from Tasman district.

A team of specialist search and rescue staff from Australia has arrived this morning.

"More staff are on standby and will be deployed as required. Further offers from overseas are being assessed and will be accepted if needed.

"Amongst the extra staff are specialist disaster victim identification teams, urban search and rescue staff and police dog units.

"We are making contingency plans to ensure adequate staffing is available for Christchurch for the forseeable future," Mr Nicholls said.

"Once again we are seeing the astonishing community spirit of Cantabrians supporting each other throughout this incredibly harrowing ordeal."

"Please continue to look after your family and the people in your immediate vicinity, check on neighbours, especially the elderly or people living alone who will be vulnerable to shock and trauma as a result of this second earthquake."

"We are continuing to ask people to please keep away from the CBD and not to travel unless absolutely necessary. The environment in Christchurch is significantly different to the September quake and it is vital that people, including media, do not attempt to get into the cordoned areas. This is a safety issue that everyone must be aware of."

If you are worried about someone, or concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives in Christchurch please call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276). The international number for people ringing from overseas who are worried about the wellbeing of relatives or friends in Christchurch is 0064 758 02199.

For assistance with income support, housing options, health issues, community assistance, help with cleaning up and any other services you may need, the Ministry of Social Development's Work and Income service has set up an emergency line which will run 24 hours a day: 0800 779 997.