Auckland Council is looking for accommodation to house thousands of people who have left Christchurch following the earthquake.
The council, Housing New Zealand and the Ministry of Economic Development have been reviewing the availability of rentals in the city.
Auckland Council civil defence controller Clive Manley says finding the right size homes will be a challenge in Auckland's already tight rental market.
However he says accommodation will not be needed for all the quake refugees in the city - estimated at 21,000 - because experience in disasters overseas shows up to 60% of people will stay with family or friends.
Mr Manley is urging people who have moved to Auckland from Christchurch to register with the Red Cross so officials know how many need to be accommodated.
So far 2,200 people have registered.
