Govt to appoint Quake Commissioner

9:54 am on 6 September 2010

The Minister of Civil Defence says the Government will appoint a special Commissioner to help with reconstruction in Canterbury after the earthquake on Saturday.

A state of emergency is now extended until Wednesday as much of central Christchurch and its surrounding towns remain shut down because buildings are still deemed unsafe.

it was New Zealand's most damaging earthquake since the Napier disaster in 1931.

The ministers of Civil Defence, Agriculture and Social Development will present a report on the damage to the Cabinet on Monday.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter told Morning Report he has three or four people in mind that could take on the special Commissioner role.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says it's not clear exactly what the role will involve, but the city won't recover without Government support.

Cost of damage still unknown - PM

Prime Minister John Key told Morning Report the total cost and extent of the damage still cannot be quantified, so no really big decisions can yet be made.

But he said ministers will still be able to get a sense of where things are headed.

Mr Carter said he's in constant contact with the three mayors in the districts worst affected and intends to travel to Christchurch on Monday to give them his support.

Police Superintendent Dave Cliff says another curfew in the city is intended in Christchurch on Monday, from 7pm - 7am, for the public's safety.