The Prime Minister says the damage to the Kaikoura region from Monday's magnitude 7.5 earthquake is worse than he thought.
Massive slips could be seen as he flew over in a Defence Force NH90.
"It's just utter devastation, I just don't know - that's months of work," John Key told Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee, Labour leader Andrew Little and pilots.
He hoped there were no cars stuck underneath the heavy rockfall.
"It's lucky it was midnight".
He says it's worse than the Manawatu gorge slips.
Mr Key and Mr Brownlee estimated the cost of the clean-up will run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, and clearing the debris and blocked roads could take months.
As the chopper surveyed damage over the wider Kaikoura area, further earthquakes hit and dust from rockfalls and slips could be seen.
"That's a goodie", one of the pilots commented.
Dust billowed down the hillside as the chopper circulated. The pilot said he'd never been airborne when a quake had hit before.
Mr Key asked how big the quake was, but the pilot didn't know.
"Not something you see every day. Better to be above it than below it," Mr Key said.
As they flew over the scene, Mr Key and Mr Brownlee commented on the damage to rail lines and roads. The doors were opened and the helicopter flew low as the PM, Mr Brownlee and Mr Little surveyed the area.
The crew also ran through what other defence force personnel had been doing through the day.
Some had gathered supplies to take in to Kaikoura. A number of NH90s are preparing to take in tonnes of food, water and other supplies tomorrow.
"It's really warm" Mr Key said as he flew over the Clarence River mouth. "It's a lot of water running down there."
Parts of the area were clearly impassable and the water was a murky brown.
The doors to the chopper were open as they flew over the hills and the dust was thick in the air.
"It's like a fire almost," Mr Key said.
As he viewed the damage, Mr Little said the mudslides and rockfalls were "stunning".
"I can't imagine what it will be like to clear it," he told Newshub.
As the plane descended sharply in to Kaikoura, large rockfalls were evident.
"Look at that road down there, it's been hammered," Mr Key said.
A slumped hill could be seen, and Mr Brownlee commented: "Oh hell, that's amazing."
They commented to each other and the pilots over the intercom about large slips on roads and the rail line. Cars could be seen lying on their sides.
There are 1200 tourists are stranded in Kaikoura. The Government is looking at options to try and help them get out.
HMNZS Canterbury will support the ongoing response in the Kaikoura region, which has been hardest-hit by the earthquake
Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says viewing the region from the air revealed extensive damage to essential connections and basic infrastructure.
"The Prime Minister and I have now seen first-hand the numerous major slips, which have isolated Kaikoura from the north and south," Mr Brownlee says.
"Our immediate priority is ensuring delivery of clean water, food and other essentials to the residents of Kaikoura and the estimated 1000 tourists in the town.
"The New Zealand Defence Force has been tasked with delivering the essential items Civil Defence is asking for - first by NH90 helicopters, which have already made a number of runs, and also on board the Canterbury.
"The economic impact on earthquake-affected areas will also be assessed in the coming days. Any suggestions the Earthquake Commission will be financially stretched in meetings its obligations are ill-founded. EQC is guaranteed by the Crown.
"Agencies will continue monitoring the situation closely. The public should be advised that aftershocks will continue to occur. It's important that people look out for each other."
Newshub.
