Mid Canterbury's Civil Defence emergency management officer Don Geddes has spent much of his time since the 7.1 magnitude quake hit at Rolleston's emergency operations centre which has been looking after the Selwyn area. He's been joined by other Ashburton staff and welfare volunteers at times.

He said the response from the public had been overwhelming, but Canterbury was just that kind of place.

But the response also had to be managed, so people wanting to help out should to contact Civil Defence's emergency management group and offer, to ensure those in charge of co-ordinating the response knew what was being done. "And don't feel disappointed if you don't get invited to help, because there's just been such an overwhelming response," he said.

"What they don't want is for people to turn up on the doorstep unannounced with things they don't need."