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.
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