New Zealand First is accusing the government of being a bad Samaritan by not immediately dispatching Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to Nepal.

'Forty-five USAR specialists have been mobilised to Auckland, but there, they'll be awaiting the government to make a decision. Something it seems incapable of doing at a time when every hour people are dying,” said Ron Mark, New Zealand First Defence spokesperson.

'For goodness sake we have a strong bond with Nepal. The Gurkhas fought with us on Chunuk Bair and their descendants were just here for the ANZAC centennial. Then there's the joint conquest of Everest.

'Let's get USAR and their kit into a C130 Hercules and get them going,” Mr Mark said.

New Zealand First's Internal Affairs spokesperson, Clayton Mitchell, was similarly concerned at the lack of urgency.

'We have some of the best search teams in the world but the government response is to offer a million dollars. Frankly that's better spent getting USAR teams and extra equipment quickly to Nepal where it will save lives,” Mr Mitchell added.

'With Cyclone Pam, the excuse was that in dealing with sovereign countries we have to be invited in. Now I'd understand that if it wasn't the capitals of Vanuatu and Nepal being smashed by natural calamities. It is time to use initiative and be a Good Samaritan.

'I mean if my house was on fire, would this government wait until I got home before asking my permission to dial 111?” Mr Mitchell finished by asking.