NZ earthquake engineers sent to Nepal

The April and May earthquakes jointly killed nearly 9000 people and caused widespread damage. Photo / Getty Images

A team of New Zealand earthquake engineers has been sent to Nepal to assist with its earthquake rebuild - costing the Government $1 million.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced New Zealand had sent a team of 15 earthquake engineers to Nepal to assist with its rebuild following massive earthquakes in the country earlier this year.

"The specialist engineers departed for Nepal this week and will remain there until November," Mr McCully said.

"They will provide Nepal's Government with technical support in seismic assessment, design of repair and retro-fit solutions, barricading, shoring, temporary works, deconstruction and demolition.

"New Zealanders feel a close connection to Nepal and our on-going support for the rebuild reflects this."

The million dollar deployment adds to the $2 million New Zealand provided in the immediate aftermath of the quakes, which included a smaller deployment of engineers.

The April and May earthquakes jointly killed nearly 9000 people and caused widespread damage in and around the Kathmandu Valley.