The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group is ready to provide assistance to Canterbury following Saturday's earthquake.
Bay of Plenty CDEM coordinating executive group chair Diane Turner says they are in regular contact with the National Crisis Management Centre through which requests for assistance will come.

The 7.1 earthquake in Christchurch at the weekend has caused much damage which needs New Zealand's support to fix. Some of the ways Tauranga people can help are published below.

In addition, Diane is advising Bay of Plenty residents to take 30 minutes this week to sit down with their families and make sure they're ready for an emergency.
'A recent research report identified that only 15 per cent of Bay of Plenty residents were fully prepared to cope with an emergency event,” says Diane.
'The Bay of Plenty has significant exposure to a wide range of hazards including severe weather, flooding, earthquake, tsunami, and volcanic eruptions.”
Bay of Plenty CDEM Group controller Warwick Murray says the weekend's devastating earthquake in Christchurch showed that it was difficult to predict when and where disaster might strike so it was important people were prepared to cope.
'I encourage people to sit down now and make sure they've got a household emergency plan, and ensure that they're equipped to cope for up to three days by themselves,” says Warwick.
'As has happened in Christchurch, you might be without power or freshwater for days, so make you ‘Get Ready to Get Thru'.”
He says there were two key steps that everyone needed to do this week to get prepared.
'Step one is sitting down with your family and filling out your Household Emergency Plan.”
This is downloadable at www.getthru.govt.nz
'People should also look at their neighbourhood support network – if you're not a member, join.
'Communities working together in times of disaster are powerful and resourceful. 'Families also need to know how they're going to contact family members in an emergency.
'In the event of a major disaster caused by an earthquake, storm or flood, or volcanic eruption, the reality is that help cannot get to everyone as quickly as they may need it.
'It is in the immediate aftermath of a disaster that individuals and families will be most vulnerable.”
More information at: www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz

People wishing to contribute to relief for the Canterbury earthquake can do so here:
Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal 2010
- Via ASB by visiting any branch, or calling 0800 803 804. Electronic deposits at: acct # 12-3192-0015998-01. Merchant fees for credit card card transactions have been waived for these donations
- Via ANZ/National by visiting any branch. Electronic deposits at: ANZ acct # 01-1839-0188939-00 or National acct # 06-0869-0548507-00
- Via KiwiBank, Electronic deposits at: acct # 38-9009-0759479-00
Salvation Army Canterbury Earthquake Appeal
- Phone 0800 530 000, or donate online at www.salvationarmy.org.nz
- Donations by post to: The Salvation Army Canterbury Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 27001, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
- Via Westpac's Canterbury Care Fund, in partnership with the Salvation Army.
Foodstuffs collection
- Donations can be made at New World, Pak 'n' Save and Four Square stores
Christchurch Mayoral Relief Fund
- Collection boxes at all Westfield shopping centres from midday, Monday, September 6