New Zealand Prime Minister John Key (R) inspects earthquake damage from a helicopter near Kaikoura. Photo: AFP
Police say several hundred people want to get out of quake-hit Kaikoura, and they are working to prioritise which tourists and residents leave first.
Ten police officers from Auckland arrived in the town last night to help in the wake of yesterday's severe quakes.
Deputy Commissioner Mike Clements says up to 20 police staff as well as technical communications staff will be on hand to make sure people can get help and make emergency calls.
He says Canterbury police are prioritising work to capture those who have been carrying out thefts during the earthquakes.
