The Dunedin City Council has pledged an initial fund of $250,000 to support earthquake relief efforts in Christchurch, and indicated more help could follow.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is also urging people to wear red and black clothing to the Octagon today to show solidarity with the people of Christchurch, and mark a national two-minutes' silence from 12.51pm.
His call came after councillors gathering for a full council meeting yesterday started by committing to support relief efforts in Christchurch.
Mr Cull suggested the initial fund to support the people of Christchurch, in cash or in kind, and indicated more support could follow once more was known about what was needed in the shattered city.
The fund could cover cash grants or offers of council staff, equipment or other resources, and the timing of the expenditure would be determined when needs in Christchurch were identified, he said.
The fund was not capped at $250,000, but establishing the initial fund would allow support without the need for further approval by councillors, he said.
The move won support from most councillors.
Cr Fliss Butcher suggested a larger $1 million fund was needed.
"I don't feel $250,000 is enough ... surely we can afford more," she said.
A separate suggestion by Cr Teresa Stevenson, for an additional $250,000 fund to support relief activities taking place in Dunedin, was also defeated.
The decision to create the fund came as council staff yesterday established a drop-in "embassy" at the Dunedin Railway Station, for use by Christchurch residents arriving in Dunedin.
The centre will help direct those seeking assistance to social agencies and others who can offer help.
A national two-minutes' silence at 12.51pm today would be marked in the Octagon, remembering those affected by the Christchurch earthquake, Mr Cull told yesterday's meeting.
The Octagon event would begin at 12.15pm, with a string quartet from the Southern Sinfonia performing, followed by the singing of the national anthem at 12.40pm, an address by Mr Cull and the two minutes' silence.
The City of Dunedin Choir and the Dunedin RSA Choir would then lead the crowd in a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
Mr Cull said he hoped to fill the Octagon, and urged as many people as possible to wear red and black clothing to show their support for Christchurch.
Council acting chief executive Athol Stephens reiterated the support and helpers already offered to Christchurch authorities by the council.
Vacant council social housing flats had been offered rent-free for use by Christchurch residents in need of a home, Mr Cull said.
Cr Paul Hudson said staff from council-owned company Delta were busy working in Christchurch, assisting reconstruction of the city's damaged infrastructure.
Show your support
What: A rally to show support for the residents of Christchurch.
Where: The Octagon.
When: Starts at 12.15pm today.
National anthem to be sung at 12.40pm, followed by an address by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, the observance of two minutes' silence at 12.51pm, and then a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
Attendees are encouraged to wear red and black.
