An Australian is one of the confirmed 75 persons who perished in the devastating earthquake that rocked Christchurch, New Zealand yesterday.

No less than Prime Minister Julia Gillard who announced that an Australian national, a journalist from the Press, was one of those confirmed dead.

Ms Gillard told reporters in Canberra this morning that details of the long-term Australian resident's death were still unclear, she noted that the man has a family he left behind.

"But it appears this person was a family man and our condolences go to his family who would be struggling with this news," Ms Gillard said.

She added that the man received ample assistance from a passer-by in the last hours of his life.

"Our thanks would go to that stranger and I think that's an emblem of the kind of spirit that we see in Christchurch as people get together to help each other," she said.

The Sydney Morning Herald said in a related report: "It is with regret that we can confirm the death of a colleague from @pressnewsroom. It is a dark day and our thoughts are with staff," the Fairfax New Zealand news website said in a statement on Twitter.

Australian rescue teams are being deployed to assist their counterparts. According to Ms Gillard, they are working very hard to secure the safety of the more than 1,500 Australian nationals in the area during the quake.

She asked for more patience from relatives, who wanted to learn about details of their family members.

Qantas and Air New Zealand have arranged additional flights from Christchurch when the city's airport reopens to international traffic today.

"Our consular team will be assisting people to make arrangements to travel from Christchurch and return home," Ms Gillard said.

Australia extends help

Australia is extending all forms of help to the government and citizens of New Zealand to secure more lives after the devastation of a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch City yesterday.

The Australian government will also provide assistance in terms of providing safe drinking water and other medical assistance to Christchurch residents.

The Australian government is deploying various forms of assistance:

- 36 NSW Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) staff arrived in New Zealand early today.

- 34 more NSW USAR staff are expected to travel to New Zealand by military aircraft this morning along with two Emergency Management Australia staff.

- 70 Queensland USAR staff will also travel to Christchurch today.

- An Australian Medical Assistance Team is also expected to be deployed today.

- New Zealand also has asked for assistance from the NSW Police to help relieve "hard-pressed" local forces.

As soon as the airport resumed operations, Australian nationals, who lost their passports in the quake can be able to fly provided they can answer some basic questions on their identity and advised the airline of the situation.

If people have concerns for the welfare of Australian family and friends in Christchurch, they should first attempt to contact them directly, DFAT said.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd advised further that if people are unable to contact them and still hold concerns for their welfare, they should call the 24-hour consular emergency centre on 1300 555 135.