Eight days on from the earthquake, the New Zealand Defence Force continues to stand by the people of Christchurch.

There are now just over 1700 NZ Defence Force personnel from all services including reserves working in Christchurch, supported by 128 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel.

The NZ Army and SAF personnel are continuing to provide security on the CBD cordon and patrolling with NZ Police in the eastern and southern suburbs.
Reserve Force personnel are assisting Fulton Hogan with cleaning up of sections and streets in Avonside, and supporting the cordon.

NZ Army Engineers are assisting with strengthening work in Mt Pleasant and Sumner. The water taskings at New Brighton and Lyttelton have ceased, as a civilian contractor has assumed responsibility. The water production units remain at Burnham on standby.

Some 150 Royal New Zealand Air Force aircrew and Air Movements support personnel are committed to air operations supporting Christchurch. Yesterday a RNZAF C-130 Hercules brought building inspectors from Auckland to Christchurch. Planned tasking for the Iroquois helicopter today includes moving engineers and Red Cross personnel to a water reservoir so it can be surveyed.

Two Singapore Armed Forces C-130 Hercules aircraft also continue to support the operation, working alongside the RNZAF and based at Whenuapai

There are 216 regular force Navy and 23 Naval Reservists in the Lyttelton area, with the HMNZS CANTERBURY and HMNZS OTAGO. They are still focused on security patrols in the Lyttelton town centre.

HMNZS CANTERBURY will transit to Wellington this evening to embark a second load of relief vehicles and supplies, and will return to Lyttelton on Friday. She has transported a total of 1613 tonnes of vehicles and equipment, and 349 personnel in or out of Lyttelton so far.

© Scoop Media

Metservice: Where Will Snow Fall And What To Look Out For

The deep Antarctic air that is expected to sweep across the country this week is bringing very significant weather to many provinces.Here's the official MetService view of the key weather concerns for the country.

MetService Media and Communications Meteorologist Dan Corbett commented,"While snow will be a major issue for those in the South Island, wind and hail will affect many North Island districts."

Snow is expected to fall to sea level, or very near it, from Southland to South Canterbury from late Wednesday into Thursday and Friday. The snow level is expected to rise to 200m from about Christchurch northwards... More>>