Skilled international workers have been granted visas specifically to help Christchurch rebuild after its devastating earthquakes.

The Department of Labour has released figures showing 71 visas were issued specifically for work associated with the Christchurch rebuild between June and October.

A department spokesman said the workers ''qualified for visas on the basis of skills shortages", particularly the specific Canterbury skills shortage list.

Of those granted visas, 15 were quantity surveyors, 13 were insurance loss adjusters, nine were civil engineers, and eight were construction project managers.

Most workers hailed from Britain and Ireland, which accounted for 51 of the visas issued.

However some had travelled as fair afield as Pakistan and India to work in the stricken city.

Where they came from:
Great Britain: 40
Ireland: 11
Philippines: 4
Malaysia: 3
USA: 3
India:2
Indonesia: 2
Germany:1
Italy: 1
Malta: 1
Pakistan: 1
South Africa: 1
Spain: 1

(Source The Press)