Dangers remain as relief gets through to New Zealand quake zone

Military forces from four nations were carrying food and other emergency supplies in quake-ravaged Kaikoura, in New Zealand's South Island, Friday despite continued dangers from aftershocks and the unstable terrain.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) was leading deliveries by land, sea and air as it pulled out all stops to stave off a shortage of food, water and other basic necessities in the quake-damaged town.

Two people died and about 1,000 tourists were stranded in Monday's 7.8-magnitude quake, which wiped out all road and rail links into Kaikoura.

"We are using our maritime, land and air assets to achieve our immediate priority, which is to deliver essential supplies to affected communities," Major General Tim Gall, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said in a statement.

Four maritime helicopters provided by Australia, Canada and the United States were helping offload about 216 tons of supplies from New Zealand navy supply ship HMNZS Canterbury, which had returned to Kaikoura, he said.

A convoy of 28 NZDF trucks carrying vital supplies was making a renewed attempt to drive in on the road to the south, after poor weather, new cracks on the road and risks of further landslides halted the aid convoy on Thursday.

The NZDF has mobilized about 560 personnel, at least 11 aircraft and four vessels to support the earthquake response.

Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management director Sarah Stuart-Black says the national response effort was beginning to move toward recovery.

"Our priorities remain the same, taking care of essential needs such as food, shelter and medical requirements but our focus will start to shift to provision of further support and longer term solutions," Stuart-Black said in a statement.

"Responders are working hard to assess damage, restore lifelines, utilities, complete the infrastructure repairs needed and restore access. We will be focusing on those rural isolated and vulnerable households and continue to work with communities through the transition from response to recovery," she said.

Homes at risk from rising quake dams were still being evacuated.

"There have been reports of multiple landslides blocking streams or river valleys, particularly in remote and rugged areas of the inland and seaward Kaikoura Ranges. We urge people in those areas to be especially vigilant and to keep clear of river valleys and outlets," she said. Endit