Rika Hyuga, 30, was a student at the King's Education language school, on the third floor of the CTV building. She died when the building collapsed in the earthquake.

The family of Haruthaya Luangsurapeesakul believe she is now an angel in heaven.

Resilience and comradeship will help us rebuild and be stronger than ever

Surrounded by her children in the garage of their Hampshire St home in the Christchurch suburb of Aranui, Mafutaga Manuleleua still feels unloved.

Searchers are close to entering the collapsed spire of Christchurch Cathedral, where up to 22 people are believed to have been killed during last week's 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Christchurch.

The thoughts of everyone should be with the families of the Christchurch earthquake victims following the change in the search focus today to recovering bodies, says an emotional mayor, Bob Parker.

John Key says a national memorial service will allow all NZers to mourn, with details of the service to be announced early next week.

Stephen Andrew Cochrane, 43, died just moments after shepherding his colleagues at Classique Furniture, in the suburb of Waltham, to safety following the earthquake.

A search for survivors has now become a grim effort to recover dead bodies from the rubble of Christchurch city centre.

The Government's budget in May will show the cost of the Christchurch earthquake, Prime Minister John Key says.

Earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee has admitted the eastern suburbs of Christchurch have been neglected.

Ofer Levy, 22, was last seen checking out of a hostel in Manchester Street with a friend shortly before the earthquake.

Gabi Moshe Ingel, 22, was last seen checking out of a hostel in Manchester Street with a friend shortly before the earthquake.

The Powerball jackpot has been bumped up for this weekend's special draw to benefit the people of Christchurch, NZ Lotteries says.

More than a week after the devastating earthquake police are still treating the situation as a rescue mission.