Nelson plasterer's bright idea sees plane land in quake-torn area laden with KFC, McDonald's burgers and pizza.

The historic Hurunui Hotel has been red-stickered after Monday's quake but publican Sean Madden is confident it will be allowed to reopen soon.

Water flooded 140m inland south of Kaikoura, damaging one home at Little Pigeon Bay.

From today, people can get behind Red Cross' work to support communities affected by Monday's devastating earthquake by donating at

A Kaikoura motel owner said he had to kick two tourists out for overstaying their welcome and exacerbating the stressful situation, following Monday's quake.

The Army aid convoy foiled in its attempt to reach cut-off Kaikoura by the Inland Road yesterday is making another go today.

Cafe owners are calling for "business anew" as they hope numbers will soon return to normal in quake-stricken Kaikoura.

A person was critically injured in a truck crash south of Rakaia this morning.

Lying on the ground next to Kaikoura Highschool's gymnasium wall was a pile of fractured concret bricks.

Kaikoura schools are in generally good shape and some may be able to open next week, according to the Ministry of Education.

A police attempt to reach the small North Canterbury township of Waiau by flight was abandoned today due to poor weather and low visibility. Planning

Eight properties in Marlborough have been identified as being too badly damaged to be entered.

Whale Watch Kaikoura is overwhelmed by the support they have received following a temporary closure after Monday's quake.

A petition against Destiny Church's tax-free status is gaining momentum - with 102,000 signatures and climbing.

An alternative inland route for ferry traffic has been established running from Picton to Christchurch, via Murchison and the Lewis Pass.

A truck driver has described the inland road into Kaikoura as being like Russian roulette.

Kaikoura locals are beginning to join the exodus out of their quake ravaged settlement. With 1000 tourists successfully evacuated

The military will today drop in on people cut off by this week's quake.

The Government is being urged to fund an around-the-clock monitoring and warning system for earthquakes and tsunamis in New Zealand.

Comments by Destiny Church leader Bishop Brian Tamaki outrage rainbow community advocate and human rights commissioner.

Kaikoura's internationally famous "quake cows" are safe and sound and "back in business" today.

Prime Minister John Key has promised fast-track help to keep Kaikoura businesses on their feet.

Farmers in quake-battered North Canterbury are rallying together, pitching in for supplies, sharing gear, and helping out on damaged properties.

The change means aftershocks may be larger in magnitude for a longer period of time.

The PM and Kaikoura's mayor have dismissed Brain Tamaki's comments blaming the devastating earthquakes on "gays, murderers and sinners".

West Coast police today advised motorists to take extra care when driving through the Lewis Pass and Maruia Valley on SH7 and SH65 as traffic numbers build up.

Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki has blamed earthquakes on gays, sinners, and murderers.

The latest earthquake again prompted reports of animals behaving strangely just before the main shock hit. What does science say?

New aerial photos show there is much work to be done after Monday's 7.8 quake.

It may be up to a year before the Defence Force can get back into its Wellington headquarters after Monday's earthquake caused structural damage.