The Christchurch earthquake has triggered the biggest domestic mobilisation of Defence Force personnel on New Zealand soil.
Before the 22 February quake, the biggest deployments of troops were, in order, the 4 September Canterbury earthquake, Cyclone Bola and the 1931 Napier earthquake.
About 1100 members of the army are at present in Christchurch
The head of the New Zealand Defence Force, Major-General Rhys Jones, who was in Christchurch when the quake hit, says troops have been helping with water production and cooking meals.
