A road is now open to Kaikoura - at least for some vehicles - for the first time since the massive earthquake struck on Monday, wrecking homes and triggering massive landslips.
The inland route, State Highway 70 from Culverden, has only been cleared for military-style 4WD vehicles.
The road was closed by slips and damaged bridges and crews have been working from both ends since Monday morning.
Army trucks will now be able to deliver water and essential supplies through to the town, on the South Island's east coast.
"At this stage, it's hoped the route will be cleared by the weekend. NZDF [New Zealand Defence Force] is using all-terrain vehicles on the road and, once reopened, access will be controlled by the New Zealand Police," Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said.
The earthquake, which hit near Hanmer Springs at a depth of 15km at 12.02am on Monday killing two people and causing widespread damage, has been upgraded from magnitude 7.5 to 7.8.
Kaikoura is home to about 2000 residents and was among the settlements worst-hit by the quake, with hundreds of tourists also stranded.
Work under way on the inland road between Kaikoura and Mt Lyford Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The NZDF has already evacuated about 600 people from the town, mostly by air to Christchurch.
The HMNZS Canterbury was expected to set sail to Lyttelton with hundreds of other evacuees on board tonight. It was expected to arrive overnight, depending on weather conditions.
"Evacuations will continue for as long as necessary and, as of tomorrow, several ships from other nations - including the USS Sampson - will arrive off the Kaikoura coast ready to be mobilised as required," Mr Brownlee said.
'It's a great sight'
Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray said this morning it was a great relief to see the navy ships coming to help them.
Another load of people are transported to HMNZS Canterbury - one of several navy ships helping with rescue and recovery efforts in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
"I'm up on the peninsula and I'm currently looking at the Wellington out on one side and the Canterbury looming large on the horizon on the other side.
"It's a great sight."
A helicopter from the Canterbury had flown in large bags of material, including two loads of lifejackets, to enable tourists to be taken out to the ship.
Civil Defence said this morning that 700 to 1000 people were still to be evacuated.
Tourists queue to be taken to the navy ship off the coast of the quake-hit town Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The navy vessels would be joined later by the frigate Te Kaha and tanker ship Endeavour.
American, Canadian and Australian ships were also joining the rescue and resupply operation.
American destroyer USS Sampson was going to be in Auckland today but a decision was made last night to send it to the South Island instead. The ship's two helicopters were expected to help with supplies and evacuations. Canada was sending the frigate Vancouver, and Australia the frigate Darwin.
Water supply to be boosted
The water supply had run out much earlier than expected in Kaikoura, and some homes were still without power.
Civil Defence director Sarah Stuart-Black said this morning 50 percent of the town had access to the water supply, and that should rise to 75 percent by mid-morning.
Ms Stuart-Black said there was still no operational sewerage system in Kaikoura.
Staff Sergeant Simon Haughey, beach master for the evacuation, and Nicole Booth in Kaikoura Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
"We were looking at what additional chemical toilets might be needed to be taken in to provide support."
The local council said it was working on a water pipe from Cheviot and people could expect clean water from there by this afternoon.
The NZDF also air-dropped 5000 litres of water into Kaikoura this evening.
5000 litres of water was air dropped into Kaikoura this evening by the Defence Force pic.twitter.com/1OyCB1nXs3
Four large pallets containing thousands of bottles water were parachuted down into a paddock near the town by an Air Force C130 Hercules, which was too big to land there.
Increasing numbers of people were going to Kaikoura Hospital with anxiety related disorders, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alastair Humphrey said.
Door-to-door welfare checks were being carried out in Marlborough, Hurunui and Kaikoura.
Troops from Burnham arrived yesterday to help check on people. The 25 soldiers were going door-to-door in Kaikoura.
Evacuation helicopter flights, for both tourists and residents, were expected to continue for the next three days.
Marlborough civil defence controller Richard McNamara with a map of the Ure River area. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
A landslide triggered by the November 14 earthquake covers State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura. Photo: AFP
Quake damage to SH1. Photo: AFP
The view from inside one of the blocked road tunnels on SH1 near Kaikoura. Photo: AFP
Quake damage to SH1. Photo: AFP
Emergency services officers inspect the damage caused to Rotherham Road near Waiau town. Photo: AFP
Quake damage to SH1. Photo: AFP
Quake damage to SH1. Photo: AFP
A damaged home in Waiau. Photo: AFP
French tourists Lucie and Louisa moments before leaving Kaikoura on the HMNZS Canterbury on Wednesday. Photo: RNZ / Max Towle
Part of the KÄkerengÅ« fault in Marlborough. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet
Damage along the KÄkerengÅ« fault in Marlborough. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet
Quake damage in Ward. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
Mt Lyford resident Don McIntosh's cars were shunted around by the earthquake. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
A helicopter lowers itself to land to collect luggage of evacuees heading to the HMNZS Canterbury. Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly
A helicopter ferries evacuees luggage onto the HMNZS Canterbury. Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly
RNZAF's Hercules airdrops water to Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry
RNZAF's Hercules airdrops water to Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry
The Clarence rafters. Photo: Deirdre Lusby
The Clarence rafters were evacuated by helicopter from Muzzle Station. Photo: Deirdre Lusby
The airforce helicopter flies in to Kaikoura to drop off supplies and pick up those still stuck in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry
Boat taking evacuees to HMNZS. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
John Key talks to tourists waiting to leave. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
John Key in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
People waiting for buses to HMNZS. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Sarah, baby Kenoah and Tom Herrmann, from Germany, are not leaving Kaikoura yet. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Boats come back from HMNZS. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
People being transported to HMNZS. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Another load of people are transported to HMNZS. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Road damage in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Damage to highways near Kaikoura following the quake. Photo: RNZ / Simon Morton
Damage to highways near Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Simon Morton
Simon Morton investigates raised seabeds near Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Simon Morton
Damage in the Kaikoura area following Monday's earthquake. Photo: RNZ / Simon Morton
Damage seen near Ohau. Photo: RNZ / Simon Morton
Repair work on quake damage to buildings in central Wellington is well underway. Photo: RNZ / Aaron Smale
Repair work on quake damage to buildings in central Wellington is well underway. Photo: RNZ / Aaron Smale
Quake damage in central Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Aaron Smale
Marlborough district council building inspector Cherie Newman fills out a yellow restricted access placard for a badly damaged house in Ward, south Marlborough. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
Transport Minister Simon Bridges in Kaikoura today. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Prime Minister John Key talks to local Fire Service personnel in his second visit to Kaikoura since the quake overnight Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
John Key talks to Kaikoura business owners in his second visit to the town since the big quake. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Kaikoura business owners. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Tourists in Kaikoura queue to be taken to the navy ship off the coast of the quake-hit town. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Tourists being taken by bus from Kaikoura to where they can board a navy ship. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Tourists being taken by bus from Kaikoura to where they can board a navy ship. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Ward resident Kerry Snell and Red Cross volunteer Ian George assess a fallen water tank on Mr Snell's property. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
HMNZS staff waiting on chopper with supplies for Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ/Rebekah Parsons-King
Navy staff waiting on chopper with supplies for Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ/Rebekah Parsons-King
Lieutenant Commander Matt Kaio arrives in Kaikoura from HMNZS Wellington. Photo: RNZ/Rebekah Parsons-King
Staff Sergeant Simon Haughey, beach master for the evacuation, and Nicole Booth, lcws, in Kaikoura, cut off after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck near Hanmer Springs. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
HMNZS Canterbury arrives in Kaikoura. Photo:
RNZ/Rebekah Parsons-King
HMNZS Canterbury arrives in Kaikoura, after the town was cut-off following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake near Hanmer Springs. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
HMNZS Canterbury arrives in Kaikoura, which has been cut-off since the 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Hanmer Springs. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The police cordon around the quake-damaged buildings. Photo: RNZ / Emile Donovan
The cordon around quake-damaged Wellington buildings. Photo: RNZ / Emile Donovan
The cordon around Pipitea House. Photo: RNZ / Emile Donovan
The cordon around Pipitea House. Photo: RNZ / Emile Donovan
A cordon in place in central Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Emile Donovan
Earthquake damage at the Waiau Hotel. Photo:
AFP
Authorities have closed Molesworth St in central Wellington because of potential building facade collapse. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet
Photo: RNZ / Mei Heron
The closed building on Molesworth St, Wellington. Photo: Mei Heron / RNZ
Fire and police officers were expected to be working through the night. Photo: RNZ / Mei Heron
Red Cross helping earthquake-stranded. Photo: Corinne Eambler / Red Cross
Waiau School has become a welfare centre for the earthquake-hit North Canterbury township. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
Kaikoura resident Mark Solomon showed us around his home that was badly damaged in the quake. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Damage at Mark Solomon's property. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Eruera and Mark Solomon. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Mark Solomon's family home of 16 people was badly damaged in the quake. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The kitchen contents emptied onto the floor. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Eruera Solomon, Mark Solomon's 15 year old son does not want to return to the family home. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Power lines down in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Power lines down in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The 4Square is closed as are most businesses. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
NZ Defence Force brings supplies. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The facade of Mitre 10 fell in the earthquake.Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Lines of people line up outside of New World in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Takahanga Marae feeding the masses of stranded tourists. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Hundreds of people have waited for flights out of Kaikoura at the rugby club rooms. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Fire crew inspect buidlings along the main street in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The 4Square on the main road in Kaikoura remains closed. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A Westpac ATM is out of order. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Chinese tourists Xiaolei Chen and Jiangyong are honeymooning in New Zealand. They were evacuated by the Chinese consulate. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
People wait at the rugby club to be airlifted out. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Ward local Di Litchfield at the emergency welfare centre. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
Koko Lambert with her daughter Tiara, 7, and son Elijah, 6, at the Ward emergency welfare centre. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
On Ward beach, the coastal rock shelf was lifted by the force of the quake. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
The supermarket in Seddon suffered severe damage including collapsed ceiling panels. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
Seddon locals Richard Ronaki and Maki Kumasaka and their children Lyuta, 5, and Morena, 18 months. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
Someone made their feelings clear at a rockfall on Marlborough road. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
A closed section of State Highway 1 between Seddon and KÄkerengÅ«. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
NZ Defence Force evacuation. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
NZ Defence Force evacuation. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
People are being evacuated by helicopter by the NZ Defence Force. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Chinese tourists evacuated. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Parents and children are evacuated from Kaikoura by the New Zealand Defence Force. Photo: NZDF
Families with young, old or vulnerable people are taking priority in evacuations. Photo: NZDF
New Zealand Defence personnel help evacuees settle in for their journey away from quake-stricken Kaikoura. Photo: NZDF
Four NZDF NH90 helicopters and commercial helicopters were helping evacuate tourists from the town. Photo: Supplied / NZDF
New World Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Plane lands on state highway 1. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Plane lands on state highway 1. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
An image of Clarence River shows dust caused by an aftershock on November 14. Photo: AFP
Bricks have tumbled off this building in Culverden, one of the towns closest to the epicentre of Sunday nights quake. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
Lines damaged on back road close to Waiau. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
Lines damaged on back road close to Waiau. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
Rockfalls along a closed portion of State Highway 1 just south of Seddon. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
Cracks in a closed section of State Highway 1 just south of Seddon. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key (R) inspects earthquake damage from a helicopter near Kaikoura. Photo: AFP
Former All Black captain Richie McCaw who has been flying personnel after the earthquake with Prime Minister John Key. Photo: RNZ
Elms Homestead. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Elms Homestead. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
As the sun sets on day one of the quake, the town of Kaikoura will grow darker with many properties and businesses without power. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A Southland man flew to the area to check on friends and family, landing on State Highway 1. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
After feeding 700 people the clean up begins at Takahanga marae, local business owner Dexarelli helps out. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
300 kg of crayfish waiting in the fridge at Takahanga marae for the hundreds of locals and stranded tourists tomorrow. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Damage outside the Kaikoura fire station. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Tourists attempt to make contact with their family after the quake. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A family reunites after the shakes in Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
State Highway One near Oaro on the South Island's east coast. Photo: AFP
A crashed vehicle on SH1 in the wake of the devastating quake. Photo: AFP
A train is trapped by landslides on the Kaikoura coast line. Photo: AFP
Two significant fissures intersect a roadway near Rotherham. Photo: NZDF
Damage in the Mount Lyford area. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Railway cuts through State Highway 1 on the coastal road to Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Damage to the road between Kaikoura and Mt Lyford. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A digger begins work on the road between Kaikoura and Mt Lyford. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A digger begins work on the road between Kaikoura and Mt Lyford. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Damage to the road between Kaikoura and Mt Lyford. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Lights seen above Wellington during yesterday's earthquake. Photo: Instagram: sana_aljoj
Road damage in the Waiau Valley/Mt Lyford area. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Aerial surveys by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft showed massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island. Photo: The New Zealand Defence Force
Aerial surveys by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft showed massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island. Photo: The New Zealand Defence Force
Aerial surveys by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft showed massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island. Photo: The New Zealand Defence Force
Aerial surveys by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft showed massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island. Photo: The New Zealand Defence Force
Aerial surveys by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft showed massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island. Photo: The New Zealand Defence Force
Aerial surveys by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft showed massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island. Photo: The New Zealand Defence Force
Aerial surveys by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft showed massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island. Photo: The New Zealand Defence Force
Two buildings on Picton's High Street damaged in Earthquake. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Acting Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee, Prime Minister John Key and entourage take off on blustery Wellington day heading to Kaikoura. Photo: RNZ / Mei Heron
Earthquake damage and slips around Kaikoura after the Hanmer Springs earthquake on November 14. Photo: Garden City Helicopters
Railway damage 20km south of Cheviot, as seen from the air. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Road damage 10km south of Clarence. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Earthquake damage and slips around Kaikoura after the Hanmer Springs earthquake on November 14. Photo: Garden City Helicopters
Earthquake damage and slips around Kaikoura after the Hanmer Springs earthquake on November 14. This is an inland slip. Photo: Garden City Helicopters
A house at Bluff Station between Blenheim & Kaikoura, which is right on the Kekerengu fault line, was demolished by the shakes. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet
A house at Bluff Station between Blenheim & Kaikoura, which is right on the Kekerengu fault line, was demolished by the shakes. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet
Damage at Wellington Port after the 7.5 quake hit near Hamner Springs. Photo: RNZ / Phil Pennington
Pictures of damage to home of Cheviot GP Anthea Prentice, at Claverley, near Cheviot. Photo: Supplied
Rail and bridge damage 20km south of Clarence. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Damage 20km south of Clarence, seen from the air. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Pictures of damage to the section of Cheviot GP Anthea Prentice, at Claverley, near Cheviot. Photo: Supplied
Road damage near Kaikoura. Photo: Twitter / @lou_gordongreen
Ohau Point on State Highway 1 has been completely blocked after this morning's shakes. Photo: Supplied / NZTA
A fresh landslide on the north east coast of South Island. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet
Damage at Wellington Port after the 7.5 quake hit near Hamner Springs. Photo: RNZ / Phil Pennington
Broken windows in the Farmers Institute building on Featherston St, Wellington, after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake centred near Hanmer Springs. Photo: RNZ / Phil Pennington
MP Stuart Smith in Kaikoura. Photo: supplied
Earthquake damage around the Conway River area. Photo: Andrew Macfarlane
Earthquake damage around the Conway River area. Photo: Andrew Macfarlane
Earthquake damage around the Conway River area. Photo: Andrew Macfarlane
Earthquake damage around the Conway River area. Photo: Andrew Macfarlane
Earthquake damage around the Conway River area. Photo: Andrew Macfarlane
Earthquake damage around the Conway River area. Photo: Andrew Macfarlane
Earthquake damage around the Conway River area. Photo: Andrew Macfarlane
The Massey University campus in Wellington was closed. Photo: RNZ / John Gerritsen
Four Square Culverden owner Andrew Whittleston is thankful he's got a generator to keep his frozen goods on ice with power yet to be restored to the town. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
Lines company working to restore power in North Canterbury Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
Damage on the state highway just before Hanmer Springs Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
Hundreds of people moved to higher ground on Mount Victoria, Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Broken glass in Wakefield Street in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Broken glass on Cable St from an apartment building Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Cars in the Wellington suburb of Mt Victoria after the earthquake. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Displaced Wellington residents Kenny Yeh, Daniel Sik and Alex Laing. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Evacuees at Amberley Pavillion, in North Canterbury, where a community welfare centre was set up in after the midnight earthquake. Photo: Conan Young /RNZ
Tea is served for evacuees at the Amberley Pavillion afte a 7.5 magnitude quake hit near Hanmer Springs. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
The road towards Seddon has been closed. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
The quake threw groceries off shelves and broke wine bottles at the Culverden 4 Square store. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
The quake damage could be clearly seen on Leader Rd in Kaikoura. Photo: Twitter / @Nicola_RaynerNZ
The quake threw groceries off shelves and broke wine bottles at the Culverden. Photo:
RNZ / Conan Young
Richard Bicknell tweeted this picture of his kitchen after the severe earthquake. Photo: Twitter / Richard Bicknell
Earthquake damage in central Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Susie Ferguson
Pane of glass smashed from a window of a inner city building on The Terrace, Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
An emergency sign at Massey University's Wellington campus. Photo: RNZ / John Gerritsen
Victoria Greenwood-Loose and Lexie Loose at the Tua Marina Memorial Hall in Marlborough, which was set up as a Civil Defence welfare centre. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Damage to road on The Terrace around a construction site. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Damage to road on The Terrace around a construction site. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A fresh landslide on the north east coast of South Island. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet
The Good Vibes store on Manners St in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / John Gerritsen
A collapsed pile of logs at a Wellington wharf. Photo: AFP
Broken glass on a building in Manners St in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Alexa Cook
Damage in a central Wellington store. Photo: RNZ / Alexa Cook
SH70 from Kaikoura to Culverden has been cleared for military-style 4WD vehicles. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farelly
Sarah, Kenoah and Tom Herrmann, from Germany, are not leaving the town just yet. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Chinese tourists Xiaolei Chen and Jiangyong, who were on their honeymoon in New Zealand, were among hundreds waiting to fly out. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
HMNZS Canterbury arrives in Kaikoura, which has been cut-off since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Hanmer Springs on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
People waiting at Kaikoura's rugby club to be airlifted out on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
