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.

A woman who was among the group of rafters camping by the Clarence River when Monday's earthquake struck has spoken about their "fortunate"

Queen Elizabeth II has sent a message of condolence to the Governor-General of New Zealand.

Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says the cost of the earthquakes was still to emerge, but it would be in the billions of dollars.

English tourist had just turned in for the night when the earthquake struck. Now the terrified visitor is desperate to get home.

Two cattle and a calf which survived yesterday's earthquake should be allowed to retire and live out their days in a sanctuary, animal rights group Peta says.

Police investigating looting during yesterday's quake evacuations say eight burglaries took place and they have stepped up patrols since then.

The ground heaved and trees cracked - rescued tourists caught up in the North Canterbury quake tell their stories to Chris Morris.

Learn from Christchurch and subsidise businesses hit by the devastating Kaikoura earthquake, former mayor Sir Bob Parker has told the Government.

A number of schools have been closed due to flooding, affecting some students due to sit exams after afternoon.

Union wants to avoid adding to community's stress.

Restoring highway access to Kaikoura will take months, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says.

Relieved tourists have been flown by helicopter from Kaikoura to a Red Cross Centre in North Canterbury this morning.

New laws against looters are not necessary, says police minister.

Mid Canterbury farmers are on standby to take dairy cows from quake-affected North Canterbury dairy farmers.

Helicopters from US and Malaysia will help out in Kaikoura, says PM John Key.

Farmers are sharing cow sheds and generators as they try to carry out the daily business of running their farms.

The alpine tourist hotspot of Hanmer Springs, usually a thriving, buzzing place, resembles a ghost town.

Almost $40,000 has been donated to help a Christchurch family whose seaside home was burgled after they evacuated during yesterday's earthquake and tsunami warning.

The first word comes of the fate of three cows trapped after yesterday's quake.

Richie McCaw, who has been airlifting stranded tourists out of Kaikoura, says the devastation from the air looks "pretty crazy".

Aftershocks continue around Kaikoura this morning.

A helicopter pilot says he could smell the fresh earth uncovered by the Kaikoura earthquake hundreds of metres in the air as he flew above the scene.

A Dutch tourist waiting to be evacuated from Kaikoura says the people of the earthquake-damaged-town are her heroes.

On an impulse, Jamie Brosnahan and Jonathon O'Neill spent Sunday night in Kaikoura. The Rotorua couple were heading for Hanmer Springs

An English couple was brought to tears describing their nightmare New Zealand holiday.