The Christchurch Memorial Returned Services Association (RSA) is to foot the bill for the Anzac Day poppy crisis.

New Zealand faced running out of the remembrance poppies because of production problems in the Christchurch factory until Australia offered to come to the rescue by sending over some of their supplies.

The trans-Tasman airlift of 200,000 poppies is due to arrive in the country this week .

New Zealand RSA chief executive David Moger confirmed the Christchurch Memorial RSA would foot the bill for the additional poppies, which Australia had agreed to provide at cost price.

Moger would not say how much the bill for the additional poppies was likely to be.

The RSA had also decided to order an additional 100,000 poppy stickers in light of the crisis so people would have the choice of getting either a poppy or a sticker in return for their donation.

They hope to raise $2 million this year.

The Christchurch Memorial RSA, who won back the contract to produce the poppies this year after losing it to Chinese manufacturers, has been unable to produce enough poppies to cope with the increased demand brought about by the Anzac Day centenary.

Their new machine had been expected to produce up to 1.25 million poppies. However, fewer than 800,000 were expected to be ready despite extra shifts and the help of volunteers.

In true Anzac spirit Victoria's Returned and Services League (RSL) stepped in over the weekend and agreed to contribute stocks reserved for its own appeal in November.

Victoria RSL appeals manager Peter Smith said his organisation had been happy to help New Zealand.

"When we heard they were in trouble we thought that was tragic," Smith said.