Inmates from Christchurch Men's and Women's prisons are being transferred to avoid putting pressure on emergency services.
The temporary move is a precautionary measure after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit the city on Saturday and affected the prisons' water systems.
"Although both prisons are operating safely, with adequate drinking water, sanitation and staffing in place, there is a risk that the current water pressure would not be adequate for sprinklers to work effectively in the event of a fire," acting manager service support Lance Alexander said.
Inmates from the Men's prison would be taken by bus to Otago Corrections Facility and charter flights would take women to Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility. They would be double-bunking to create enough room.
A Corrections department spokeswoman told NZPA they were "playing it by ear like the rest of Christchurch" and it was not clear when the inmates would be returned to Christchurch.
Rolleston Men's Prison has not been affected by the quake.
NZPA