Foreign Affairs Murray McCully today expressed New Zealand's gratitude for messages of condolences and offers of assistance following yesterday's Christchurch earthquake.
``New Zealanders are deeply humbled by the messages of support and offers of specialist search and rescue help that have flooded in over the past 24 hours from other countries,''
he said.
``Support will be critical over the next few days as we reassess the specialist services required to speed the rescue operation.''
Mr McCully said New Zealand had received offers of help from numerous countries, and accepted offers from Australia, the United States, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom and Taiwan.
``We are constantly assessing the needs and several offers of help remain under consideration,'' Mr McCully said.
Australia has sent a search and rescue team of 40 people, which arrived at 5.30am today. A second team will arrive at 3pm today.
A contingent of military staff from Singapore are currently in New Zealand helping, and a Disaster Assistance and Relief Team of 55 people will arrive tonight at 8.30pm.
Singapore was also sending two more aircraft due to land tomorrow with a additional equipment.
A specialist search and rescue of 75 people from the United States, and a team of 60 from Japan will also arrive tomorrow.
From the United Kingdom, a team of 63 people is on its way, and will arrive tomorrow night.
``We know there will be many people around the world anxious to contact family and friends who are visiting or living in Christchurch. We are in close contact with foreign missions in New Zealand to offer our assistance,'' Mr McCully said.
