The Government's reluctant to give work opportunities to beneficiaries outside of emergencies.

It's activated a beneficiary task force in Tasman and Marlborough, with beneficiaries able to get paid for helping clean up debris and slush.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston says the initiative is just for Civil Defence emergencies at this stage.

But Upston told Heather du Plessis-Allan she's open to suggestions about how to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker benefit.

She says this takes a significant amount of funding, and the Government's coffers aren't a bottomless pit.

Upston told du Plessis-Allan it's estimated 30 people are needed for the work.

She says there'll be three clean-up crews, and understands there were 10 people interested within a few hours of putting the message out.

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