Labour leader has gone to Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker's office to see if he can help out after being evacuated from the city's airport after this afternoon's 6.3 quake.
His press secretary Francesca Mold described their experience at the Air NZ Koru lounge at the airport.
"It seemed to go on for a long time, paintings fell off the wall, glasses smashed, people were crying, plaster fell in -- the roof fell in."
They were evacuated to a car park
"And then another one hit, it wasn't as big... but a lot of people were very upset."
Some construction people nearby were organising volunteers to go into town to help.
"The roads are clogged, there are a lot of people still at the airport that can't leave. And apparently all the lights are out, people are trying to get their kids from school and are quite panicked."
No flights are leaving or landing at the airport.
"I feel shaken, it was the worst thing I've ever felt. It seemed to go on for a long time... it was quite frightening"
