New Zealand's prime minister John Key has announced a relief package of wage subsidies for those hit hard by the disaster as the death toll from the Christchurch earthquake continues to climb. The 120 million-dollar package will help those who cannot work or who have lost their job in the quake. The Prime Minister said about 42,000 people will not be able to return to work for some time because a third of buildings in the business centre have been destroyed. Mr. Key announced wage subsidies for employers of 500 dollars for each employee to ensure those rebuilding their businesses keep paying their workers a full wage. The New Zealand Prime Minister said according to estimates, the total damage bill from the earthquake is in the order of 15 billion dollars, while the Canterbury chamber of commerce said it is double that.