There are about 200 Christchurch people registered with Civil Defence in the Bay of Plenty as evacuees from the earthquake rattled city.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chairman John Cronin says help is being offered to these people by the community.

Parts of Christchurch are in ruin, leading people to evacuate the city.

'Our region stands ready to help in any way we can,” says John.

'It is vital that people who come here to stay with relatives and friends, or just in the hope of finding somewhere to live temporarily, register with the Red Cross.

'Registration places have been set up in all towns and there are information booths at the airports and Rotorua's bus terminal.

'We will do everything we can to help – staff from our councils are already working in Christchurch offering their expertise, and our search and rescue teams were deployed there immediately after the quake.

'In this region we know all too well the devastation that natural disasters can cause in people's lives and we are here to help in any way we can.”

Evacuee registration centres are available at:

Tauranga and Western Bay: Tauranga Red Cross Centre, 245 Chadwick Road, Greerton, open from 8.30 am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Rotorua: Rotorua District Council, 8am - 5pm.

Opotiki: 92B Church Street, opposite Work and Income office.

Whakatane: Community Link building, 24 Pyne St.

Kawerau: Kawerau District Council, WINZ office Tarawera Court and House of Hope.