Earthquake and tsunami monitoring service GeoNet has received a $3 million funding boost.

Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

The government said the extra money would enhance the agency's natural hazards monitoring capability and response service.

After last month's 7.8 magnitude earthquake, GeoNet director Ken Gledhill called for more funding so the service could be staffed 24/7.

Dr Gledhill said it could not give tsunami warnings as quickly and accurately as he would like because it was not staffed overnight or on weekends.

At the time, Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee described the funding request as an "unreasonable criticism".

But, today, Mr Brownlee announced the new funding and said planning work was already under way for a 24/7 warning centre.