The New Zealand Earthquake Commission’s (EQC) deadline for the February 22 Christchurch earthquake has passed with 159,318 claims being made.

There were 185,046 claims made for the first earthquake on September 4 and subsequent events in October, November and December.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the claims make the Canterbury earthquakes and aftershocks by far the biggest natural disaster to hit New Zealand.

He says the EQC has paid out more than $NZ17 million ($13 million) in claims since February and $NZ870 million ($665 million) since September.

It is still receiving claims for aftershocks on April 16, April 30 and May 10.