Dozens of aftershocks, which could last several weeks, are still rocking the area as people cDozens of aftershocksonfront the massive task of cleaning up after New Zealand's most damaging quake since the Napier disaster in 1931.

The heart of the devastation lies at the epicentre of the quake at Darfield, 40 km west of Christchurch.

The $2 billion battering by Mother Nature will need a massive government bailout.

The region is already facing a quake bill so large that the Government will give councils hundreds of millions of dollars to help out.

The Minister of Civil Defence John Carter says the Government will appoint a special Commissioner to help with rebuilding Canterbury.

"The good thing with our structure is it’s New Zealand wide, and the local outlets in waimakiriri and Selwyn have responded really well," he said.

"I’m in regular contact with the three mayors down there, and they’re telling me that the Civil Defence teams are out there, working well."

"We’re getting good advice on safety, and what damage has been done, and we’ll make a decision soon based on that information."