Photo: Chris MorrisTwo New Zealand navy vessels have reached quake-hit Kaikoura, bringing supplies of food and water and plans to evacuate hundreds of stranded tourists and residents. With no road access into Kaikoura, and limited cellphone coverage, residents and stranded tourists remained cut off from the rest of the country. New Zealand Transport Agency contractors would resume on-site work this morning after working throughout yesterday to assess the safety of key state highway routes. Agency highways manager Neil Walker said the alternative inland state highway route from Picton to Christchurch via Murchison and the Lewis Pass had reopened. "This will likely be the main state highway route from Christchurch to Picton for several months,'' he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 15, 2016 21:57 UTC