The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) says it was able to help and find staff members affected by the earthquake because it had digitally mapped the location of their homes.
MAF says it made the maps following the earthquake in September last year.
Earthquake response manager Alan Tinnelly says the wellbeing of its staff is its first priority.
He says MAF is providing shower facilities for staff and their families, and providing them with food, water and petrol.
Mr Tinnelly says the ministry is operating now operating normally and is resuming its biosecurity functions at the port of Lyttelton.
