WELLINGTON, June 3 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand has provided a total of 850,000 NZ dollars (672,000 U.S. dollars) to the International Federation of the Red Cross to provide shelter for the homeless inthe wake of the powerful earthquake in China's Sichuan province, it was reported here on Tuesday.

　　"All New Zealanders watching television news pictures of the devastation following the earthquake have been moved by the plight of the people in Sichuan. The government of China is coordinating the major relief effort, and has welcomed support of the practical kind New Zealand is providing," said New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, according to a press release on Tuesday.

　　Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter said that New Zealanders have also contributed through a wide range of community fund-raising activities to the relief effort, in solidarity with New Zealand's Chinese communities.

　　"More than 150,000 New Zealanders are Chinese, and many are new migrants. Events in the earthquake zone will have impact on a number of families here in New Zealand," he said.

　　"The heart-rending stories from Sichuan, along with the stories of bravery and courage, have reached into New Zealand homes and evoked a hugely sympathetic response in our country," Carter said.

　　"Our thoughts are with the people of China and New Zealand's Chinese communities over these tragic events," said Clark and Carter.