Rayonier Matariki Canterbury regional manager Darren Mann said the donation would bring some relief to families worried about keeping warm this winter.

"When the last major quake knocked out power to much of the city, we realised we needed to step in and give whatever we could to make sure residents had a way of heating their homes that didn't rely on electricity," he said.

The company had donated to the Red Cross but wanted to give something directly to residents.

"With everything that has been going on in the city over the last few months, the last thing people living with significant quake damage to their home and property want to worry about is how they are going to keep their house and family warm over the coming months."

Any families wanting firewood should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The number of vouchers was limited and would be given out "based on criteria of need", Mann said.

Source: Story by Glenn Conway, The Press, Christchurch