Two more welfare centres have opened in quake-hit Christchurch, with a third to open tonight.
The welfare centre at Hagley Park was now full and people needing assistance should head to the new welfare centres instead, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said this afternoon.
The extra welfare centres at Cowles Stadium, Aranui, and Burnside High School were already open, while another at Pioneer Stadium, Spreydon, would be open by 6pm.
"The welfare centres are vital for displaced people who are in need of assistance, as a place to find company, food, water and refuge,'' Ms Bennett said.
Some people had gone to Addington racecourse, where a welfare centre was set up after last year's quake, but Ms Bennett said it was not being used after this quake because buildings were unsafe.
She said the challenge in setting up welfare centres was to make sure buildings were safe.
"We are going to make sure there's electricity, there's clean water and there's toileting.''
The centres were for people without a home to go to, she said.
"Last time we had a lot of people that were just really unnerved that went to the centres, and I understand that completely.
"If you feeling that unsafe and that unnerved please do go, but if you can reach out to a neighbour and get that level of emotional support for the next day or two that would be pretty helpful so we can deal with the most extreme.''
A Government helpline has so far taken about 6000 calls, relating mostly to locating loved ones, donation offers, and accommodation enquiries.
"An event on this scale can test even the most resilient Cantabrians and we say don't tough it out alone, people are there to help,'' Ms Bennett said.
Trauma counselling services and victim support were being mobilised, with between 80 and 100 people from around the country being called upon to help those affected by the quake.
Ms Bennett said Relationship Services in Christchurch was badly affected but its phone counselling service was operational.
The Salvation Army has deployed teams from across New Zealand to work out of welfare centres and its own support centres.
People in desperate need could also get financial assistance. Many money machines in the city were not working so Work and Income centres in Ashburton, Hornby and Rangiora would be able to look at cash payouts.
However, Ms Bennett said it was important not to clog the streets and financial help may be able to be provided via the Government helpline, 0800 779997.
Senior managers had the discretion to make decisions about approving payments based on individual circumstances.
"Today is the day to be stepping in and doing what we have to do.''
Officials were looking at criteria from last time and how payments were issued and what was needed.
"We will probably be rolling out a similar criteria.''
There was also help available via Civil Defence payments.
"If people are in extreme need right now, make that call... you do not have to be a beneficiary to get that.''
A group was working on ensuring beneficiaries had access to shelter, food and water and officials were contacting elderly, disabled and other vulnerable people to see if they were OK.
"We have already started making some outbound calling.'
