The Government expects the number of people made unemployed after February's earthquake in Christchurch will run into the thousands, rather than the tens of thousands.
Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett says the Government is not making any specific projections, but is keeping any eye on the number of people signed up to its temporary job loss subsidy schemes.
She says there is also focus on which businesses will survive, and where they could relocate to.
Ms Bennett says anyone without a job will be able to go on a benefit.
