The services of offenders serving community sentences are being offered to people needing earthquake clean-up work done in Canterbury.
Since Tuesday, about 100 offenders have been turning up each day to clear silt in hard-hit areas like Kaiapoi.
The Corrections Department expects that number to rise substantially during the weekend.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins says the workers have so far been directed to Wylie Park, the Rose Garden, Kairaki Beach and St Paul's Church in Kaiapoi.
Ms Collins told Parliament that 2400 offenders serving community sentences in Canterbury are helping with the clean-up.
They are available to help community groups and individuals, she says, and can be booked by calling a Corrections helpline with the number 0800 COM WRK (0800-266-975).
