New Zealand seeks Irish workers to help with post-quakes repairs

The Earthquake Commission in New Zealand is seeking Irish workers to help rebuild homes and businessess in cities devastated by three earthquakes.

The organisation has said it needs around 8,000 construction workers.

Thousands of buildings in Christchurch were damaged in September last year when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck just outside the city.

In February of this year, more than 180 people were killed when a second quake devastated the city, and a third quake in June caused more damage.

The Earthquake Commission is now seeking 8,000 labourers to build or repair around 100,000 homes.

Speaking at a media briefing, chief executive Ian Simpson said it had made initial approaches in Ireland as there are a high number of skilled construction workers who are unemployed.

Around 570,000 insurance claims have been made in total by residents whose homes were destroyed or devastated by the quakes.

Repairs have already been carried out on more than 20,000 homes.