Four dogs, one child, and 450 adult evacuees arrived safely in Christchurch this morning on the HMNZS Canterbury.
At 1:30am, the naval ship reached Lyttelton Port, before the group were taken on 12 buses to Horncastle Arena in Christchurch.
SEE ALSO: Kaikoura evacuees arrive safely in Christchurch
It's been a tiring overnight trip for the evacuees, after boarding yesterday afternoon.
Civil Defence and the City Council are helping them get home, or continue their travels from Christchurch.
Evacuee Chris Cooper said he's "looking forward to a shower and some sleep" after travelling home with his dog Odin on board.
He said the most memorable part of this week in Kaikoura has been the teamwork there.
"It was great to see all the locals pitch in and help each other."
Evacuee Mark Buckland said "the trip was long" but "they were well looked after".
He boarded at 11am yesterday and the ship didn't leave Kaikoura until around 8pm.
The Christchurch man said the navy's catering made up for the wait "with cakes, fruit and lots of lasagna."
His wife Esme said their dog Bandit had been on edge since the 7.8 tremor - and the crowded situation in Kaikoura afterwards only made it worse.
She said Bandit has been very scared but will settle down now he's home.
He didn't go to the toilet until he reached grass in Christchurch - after 15 hours on the ship holding on.
The Christchurch City Council's Community Support Manager Claire Phillips said it was great to see the group return to a sense of normality despite a tragic week for residents and locals alike.
She said they're negotiating with rental and hotel companies to help those who simply couldn't carry out their travel intentions after being trapped in North Canterbury.
The Council's also sent building inspectors, civil defence staff, engineers and community support workers to the town as it addresses the devastation from Monday's 7.8 quake and aftershocks.
Ms Phillips said they're sending the message that if Christchurch can bounce back - so can Kaikoura.
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