New Zealanders caught up in Japan's earthquake aftermath can now get help from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) consular staff stationed at Narita international airport in Tokyo and in the northern city of Sendai.
No New Zealanders have been harmed in Japan's massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami which hit the country on Friday, the ministry said. The magnitude 9.0 quake triggered a tsunami that flooded the coast of northeast Japan.
Up to 10,000 people are missing, with thousands feared dead.
Authorities are also racing to combat the threat of multiple nuclear reactor meltdowns, with more than 180,000 people evacuated as fears mount about the spread of possible radioactive contamination.
Mfat today said there had been no reports of New Zealanders among the injured or dead.
So far, 850 New Zealanders had registered with the ministry but it was believed there were about 6500 in Japan when the quake hit.
Mfat staff in Wellington and Japan were making ongoing efforts to contact a small number of New Zealanders in the affected areas to determine their whereabouts and safety.
All New Zealanders in Japan should monitor developments via the news media, and follow the instructions of local authorities, the ministry said.
Anyone with concerns about family in Japan should try to contact them directly in the first instance, or contact Mfat on 0800 432 111.
New Zealanders in Japan were urged to register their details on www.safetravel.govt.nz, and the ministry recommended against all non-essential travel to Tokyo and badly affected areas in the northeast.
Meanwhile, a New Zealand team of 42 urban search and rescuers (USAR) are on their way to Japan to help in tsunami devastated areas, where they could remain for several weeks.
A 66-strong Japanese team, which had been combing through rubble in Christchurch after last month's deadly quake, had headed home to work on their own shattered country.
