The initiative was spearheaded by Wanaka designer Kaz von Heraud-Parker, who began marshalling an army of friends and volunteers to help her on Wednesday.
Lake Wanaka Tourism, Destination Queenstown and the Queenstown Lakes District Council are also assisting. The tourism agencies have emailed their databases inviting local businesses, accommodation providers and holiday home owners to respond with offers of help.
Wanaka volunteer Deirdre Read said 130 email responses had been received from Wanaka contacts, an "amazing response".
The Wanaka team is now collating the offers and putting together a register to send to Christchurch agencies to be assigned next week to those in need of a break.
Destination Queenstown communications manager Jen Andrews told the Otago Daily Times yesterday more than 30 accommodation providers had offered support, including businesses and individuals. The response had been "absolutely overwhelming".
Destination Queenstown also has volunteers helping collate responses.
Mrs von Heraud-Parker also set up a Facebook site on Thursday, where people can respond (Breakfromquake Wanaka). That had attracted 68 responses by mid-afternoon yesterday.
No buses had been made available but the team was looking into how they could obtain petrol vouchers. The offer includes meals and activities, she said.
Matt Standing, of Christchurch, applauded the move.
"Great stuff guys. The hardest thing to describe is the effect of being on edge waiting for the next shake. If you can help some folk get away from this, well done. I know all of us in Chch appreciate all the support," Mr Standing said on the site yesterday.
Meanwhile, a Hawea Flat group, Grassroots Gratitude, has organised the Christchurch Compassion Performance event at the Hawea Flat Hall on Friday to raise money for the earthquake relief effort.
People who want to perform, buy tickets or assist in other ways can contact organisers Tarn Felton or Tanette Hickey on grassrootsgratitude@gmail.com or grassrootsgratitude.yolasite.com.
• Councils in Otago yesterday agreed, at a triennium meeting in Balclutha, to work together to provide support for Christchurch communities.
The mayors and chief executives of Queenstown Lakes, Clutha, Waitaki and Central Otago district councils met the Dunedin City and Otago Regional Councils.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes said in a statement that rather than a monetary offer, the councils would work with their own communities and schools to consider how best to establish programmes to provide respite for families.
People with ideas and suggestions should contact their mayoral offices.
Channels were already available for people to give money; however, communities had opportunities to perhaps host or billet those in need of a break and a "semblance of normality", Mr Geddes said.
