Rachel Elizabeth Conley, 27, of the United States, had just left the Southern Ink tattoo shop on Colombo Street when the earthquake struck.

Kelly Lynn Maynard (nee Hlaca) had only just returned to work when she was killed in a collapsing building.

There were many unsung heroes during and after the Christchurch earthquake; the neighbour who shared food; strangers who offered lifts and a smile; the volunteer who knew where the nearest water supply was.

Prince William will address the thousands of people expected at next week's national memorial service for the victims of the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

Vulnerable Christchurch residents are anxiously awaiting information on whether their neighbourhood may need to be abandoned.

Prince William is set to make a special visit to New Zealand to commemorate those killed in the Christchurch earthquake and the Pike River Mine disaster, but fiancee Kate Middleton will not be joining him.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley says he does not want temporary housing ghettos to spring up in quake-stricken Christchurch.

The cost of rebuilding Christchurch could exceed Treasury predictions by $5 billion, a Fletcher Building executive has estimated.

While Lyttelton residents are lamenting the loss of 135 years of history as a demolition order hangs over their town's historic Timeball Station, one woman is mourning the loss of her home.

Catherine McNicol Lunney had a knack for being "zany but loveable," a friend says.

On February 22, Normand Lee parked at the South City Shopping Centre carpark and is believed to have walked into the CBD from there.

When Jilly Murphy rushed back into her favourite store after the Christchurch earthquake, she had one thing on her mind - her family.