The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the devastation to Christchurch in the wake of an earthquake that struck New Zealand on February 21, 2011.  New Zealand government agencies are advising against any non-essential travel to Christchurch at this time.  Considerable damage has occurred in the Christchurch Central Business District and in Lyttelton.  There is a cordon around the central business district.  Damage assessment is ongoing, and rescue work is likely to take days to complete.  This Travel Alert expires on March 22, 2011.

New Zealand government agencies have established emergency medical and welfare relief shelters, at which U.S. citizens in Christchurch can find water, food, shelter, and medical care.  Tourists wishing to depart Christchurch can do so on New Zealand Government-sponsored Visitor Facilitation Flights to Wellington.  At this time, no passport or photo identification is required for the New Zealand Government-sponsored flights.  Commercial flights are operating from Christchurch to Auckland and Wellington.  U.S. Consular personnel from the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland and the U.S. Embassy in Wellington will assist U.S. citizens arriving in Auckland and Wellington with documentation of citizenship, onward travel, and emergency needs.

U.S. citizens may contact the U.S. Consulate, located at 23 Customs Street East, Auckland via e-mail at Chchquake@state.gov.  In the event of a U.S. citizen emergency that cannot wait until the next business day, the emergency number is:  64 9 303 2724 x 2900 or 011-64 9 303 2724 x 2900 (as dialed within the United States).

All U.S. citizens in New Zealand are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website:  https://travelregistration.state.gov.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

For the latest security information on travel and security in New Zealand, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).