Eight more quake victims named

Diane Falconer, left, and Rachel Conley, right, were among those confirmed to have died in the Christchurch earthquake. Photos / Supplied

Police have confirmed the identities of a further eight people who died in
the Christchurch earthquake.

They are Ivy Jane Cabunilas, 33, of the Philippines, Rachel Elizabeth Conley, of the United States of America, Diane Mary Falconer, 54, of Christchurch, Adam Stephen Fisher, 27, of Belfast, Christchurch, Marion Isabella McKirdy Hilbers, 49, of Christchurch, Kelly Lynn Maynard, 43, of Christchurch, Michael Stuart Coulter Styant, 41, of Christchurch and Stephen Robert Wright, 46, of Christchurch.

Rachel Conley, an American traveller, had just come out of the Southern Ink tattoo studio in the central city, where she had "There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be", from the Beatles song All You Need Is Love tattooed on her back, when the earthquake hit.

She was on the footpath when the concrete awning of the building and the brick layers of the second floor came crashing down on her, her mother told the Herald.

Ivy Jane Cabunilas, a nurse from the Philippines, was a King's Education student in the CTV building. She was living in New Zealand with her husband and twin 11-year-old daughters.

Diane Falconer and Marian Hilbers were both receptionists at the medical centre The Clinic in the CTV building.

Ms Falconer prayed during her final moments, her daughter Tere-Moana Wilson told the Herald.

Stephen Robert Wright also worked in the CTV building, where he was a marketing manager for Canterbury TV, and had a great love for nature photography.

Adam Fisher worked in the Perpetual Trust offices on the first floor of the Pyne Gould Corporation building as a financial analyst who had a passion for soccer. He leaves behind a fiancee and a young son.

Stock exchange boss to lead fundraising effort

Meanwhile, the head of the New Zealand stock exchange has been picked to lead a global fundraising effort aimed at rebuilding Christchurch.

Prime Minister John Key this afternoon announced NZX chief executive Mark Weldon would spearhead the Government's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

He had the international experience needed for the role, he said.

"Mr Weldon has a wealth of experience both in New Zealand and overseas, and has the networks to enable the appeal to be a truly global one," says Mr Key.

"I'm very pleased Mr Weldon has offered his expertise and donated his time to oversee the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal during its fundraising period."

Mr Weldon will take a four to six weeks leave of absence from NZX in order to lead the appeal.

Donations to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal can be made at www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz or by texting 'chch' to 933 from Telecom, Vodafone and 2 Degrees mobile phones.

Donations can also be made at any New Zealand bank branch into account number 03-0251-0039807-00.

Mr Weldon "will dedicate himself full time during this period to working with the government to leverage local and global networks, and help build a pool of capital resource to help Christchurch recover and rebuild as a community," the stock exchange operator said in a statement.

"I will shortly be calling on other private sector business leaders and philanthropists, in New Zealand and around the world, to contribute to Christchurch's recovery effort," Mr Weldon said in the statement. He was confident his management team "will run the business with acuity, and deliver strong results, during my absence."

The management team includes Fiona Mackenzie, who was tapped last month to become NZX's head of strategy, overseeing the bourse operator's finances, new business opportunities and investor relations. In an expanded role, she will take over the responsibilities of chief financial officer Justin Bgoni, who resigned this month after less than a year in the job.

Shares of NZX rose 1.1% to $1.92 and have jumped 21% this year.

- NZ Herald staff, Business Desk