Civil Defence groups are going to Kaikoura to help with the response.
Shane Bayley, from Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, said the Canterbury Civil Defence people will support the Fire Service, including going door to door.
Two vessels, including the HMNZS Canterbury, are heading south and will arrive in Kaikoura tomorrow.
The Chinese Government has also chartered a helicopter to get Chinese nationals out of the town.
Four NH90 helicopters are also ferrying people in and out of the town, cut off by road slips.