More international search and rescue teams are set to arrive in earthquake-hit Christchurch to help with the disaster response.
Help is coming from Australia, the United States, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and Britain.
Specialist teams from New South Wales and Queensland are already working in the city.
A team from Singapore is due to arrive at 8.30pm on Wednesday, while one from Japan is due to arrive at 11.30pm.
Teams from Britain and Taiwan are due at arrive in Christchurch late on Thursday, followed by a team from the United States.
Mr Carter says there are more than 70 people in each team.
Some 300 police officer are being deployed from Australia and are expected to be in New Zealand for about a fortnight, including 200 officers from New South Wales to help maintain law and order in Christchurch. The West Australian government is sending 50 officers. About 75 emergency rescue workers are also being sent.
The United States Government says it is deploying a disaster assistance response team, which includes search and rescue personnel from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. US AID administrator Rajiv Shah says 70 personnel and equipment will be sent, and the US Government stands ready to assist in any way it can.
Britain will also send a search and rescue team, which is ready to deploy immediately. British Prime Minister David Cameron announced during a visit to Kuwait that he has told Mr Key Britain will provide whatever help is required.
The Japanese Consulate in Auckland says three members of a rescue team have arrived in Auckland from Japan on their way to Christchurch. Deputy consul-general Mitsuko Ito says a further 70 people - with four rescue dogs - will arrive on Thursday.
220 personnel deployed by midday
Civil Defence says 220 search and rescue personnel will be deployed in Christchurch by midday on Wednesday, and up to 700 within 48 hours.
Seven rescue helicopters are ready to transfer patients to hospitals throughout the country.
About 250 military personnel are on the ground helping with the rescue and recovery effort, with more being brought in.
Police numbers will be boosted on Wednesday by extra officers from other parts of the country. They include disaster victim identification experts with specialist dogs.
Police say the out-of-town staff are equipped to be self-sufficient for five days, bringing sleeping bags, water and food with them.
Medical teams are working with local health officials and soldiers are crewing cordons around the city while the Army carries out search and rescue operations.
An Air Force Hercules has evacuated people from the city to Wellington and a second plane will follow.
An Orion has flown over the city and taken pictures of the destruction for analysis by Civil Defence Personnel.
Three Naval ships, HMNZS Canterbury, survey ship Resolution and patrol vessel Pukaki are in Lyttleton and the Otago is in the harbour entrance and is available if needed.
Wellington paramedics flown in
Wellington Free Ambulance says its paramedic rescue squad has gone to Christchurch.
It says four rescue paramedics were airlifted into the city late on Tuesday afternoon and a further eight paramedics and four vehicles went by ferry on Tuesday night.
The service says more staff, ambulances, a mass casualty incident truck and other vehicles went early on Wednesday morning.
A12-strong urban search and rescue team from Waikato's southern emergency operating area has also arrived in Christchurch.
Singapore troops on the job
Troops from the Singapore armed forces are among those manning the cordon around central Christchurch.
Some 116 Singaporean troops were taking part in an annual bilateral exercise in Christchurch when the earthquake happened.
Singaporean Minister of Defence Teo Chee Hean is also sending a 55-strong urban search and rescue team as well as a command team to the city.
