Education Minister Anne Tolley has asked parents to be patient as schools and ECE services recover from last weekend's earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

Minister for Social Development, Paula Bennett has pledged $2.5 Million for trauma counselling to support Canterbury's shaken and quake weary residents.

Police and Corrections staff have done themselves proud with their work following the Christchurch earthquake, some putting personal problems aside in the line of duty, Police and Corrections Minis

The Government has announced a wage subsidy to support employees of small businesses seriously disrupted by the Canterbury earthquake.

Schools and ECE services in the Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn areas will remain closed until the weekend, Education Minister Anne Tolley has confirmed.

Agriculture Minister David Carter says he is heartened by the generosity of Canterbury farmers pitching in to help their earthquake-hit neighbours.

Health Minister Tony Ryall today thanked the hundreds of Canterbury health workers who spent the weekend treating and caring for the earthquake struck people of Canterbury and those staff who are c

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says more than two thousand people have called the 0800 779997 Government helpline so far.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says more than a thousand people have called the Government's earthquake helpline for assistance.

The day after the 7.1 earthquake hit Christchurch and surrounding areas, the safety of people in the area remains the top priority for Civil Defence Minister John Carter.

Agriculture Minister David Carter is this morning visiting farms west of Christchurch damaged in yesterday's earthquake.