KEY POINTS:
The Government is going to kickstart a fund for Australian bushfire victims with a $500,000 donation.
Prime Minister John Key said today the fund would be run by the New Zealand Red Cross and people would be able to donate to it through a website or an 0900 number.
He said the Government's $500,000 was a sign of solidarity.
"We think New Zealanders will rally to what are devastating circumstances in Australia," he said at his post-cabinet press conference.
"We have the closest of relationships. I think if the position was reversed you would see an outpouring of support from Australians to New Zealand."
Mr Key confirmed that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had accepted his offer to send about 100 New Zealand firefighters to help fight the blazes in Victoria.
He did not think they would leave for a week or two.
"We have the manpower and the military capability to get them there immediately," he said.
"It's at the request of the Australians that they don't go immediately. They have still got quite a lot of back up in Australia at this point but they anticipate that down the track they will require it."
He said timing was in the hands of the Australian authorities.
"We're standing ready, willing and able."
Mr Key said sending about 100 firefighters to Australia would not expose New Zealand if fires broke out here.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the loss of life and property in Victoria was devastating.
"Australians are our closest friends and neighbours and we want to help them as much as we can in their time of need," he said in a statement.
"Our donation will support those people whose lives have been shattered by this disaster and the Government's contribution will go to the Victorian Bushfire appeal Fund."
Mr McCully said New Zealanders wanting to make a donation could go to www.redcross.org.nz or make an automatic $20 donation by calling 0900 33200.
- NZPA
