Overseas aid contributors exceed 40

9:32 pm on 1 March 2011

More than 40 countries and aid organisations have given quake assistance to Christchurch, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says this includes 900 international aid personnel working with New Zealand crews in search and rescue, police, disaster victim identification and other urgent areas.

He says Korea is sending plastic sheeting, water cans, tents, blankets and generators, while Japan is sending plastic sheeting, and water tanks, and Australia will send sanitation supplies, including camp toilets.

Meanwhile, two Australian rescue teams will return home on Friday and Saturday and will be relieved by a team of 70 rescuers from New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.

Australian Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland will visit Christchurch at the weekend to thank rescuers.

Mr McClelland says the new team will continue to look for survivors.