WELLINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will make an initial contribution of 500,000 NZ dollars (360,886 U.S. dollars) to help with the emergency response following the 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Papua New Guinea's Highlands region last Monday, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Monday.

"The rugged terrain and loss of communications in the area impacted means it is taking time to build a complete picture of the damage, but we know that tens of thousands of people are reported as requiring humanitarian assistance," Peters said in a statement.

New Zealand is working with Papua New Guinean authorities, the United Nations, donors and aid agencies on the ground to identify how New Zealand can best assist, Peters said, adding that New Zealand stands ready to assist Papua New Guinea.

A RNZAF C130 Hercules aircraft carrying emergency relief supplies departed for Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, on Monday, carrying family hygiene kits, shelter kits, jerry cans, and tarpaulins.