A 52-year-old man is in a stable condition after having both legs amputated by a visiting surgeon at the PGC building.

Smashing his way into his devastated home today, Christchurch man Ed Langston appeared somewhat resigned to having lost his house and business in Tuesday's deadly earthquake.

Police have delayed releasing the names of those confirmed dead and for whom there are serious concerns.

Credit rating companies say there is no immediate need to change the credit ratings of insurers because of the Christchurch earthquake but Moody's Investors Service said ratings pressure may develop over time on the banking sector.

Police and security staff are worrying about the possible further collapse of building facades.

Personnel at the PGC building in Christchurch have switched their focus from trying to find survivors to recovering the dead, the company says.

The family of a woman feared dead in the earthquake has suffered another cruel blow with her home being burgled while her children waited for news.

Search and rescue staff are moving into the suburbs of Christchurch looking for the dead and injured from Tuesday's earthquake. The official death toll this morning stands at 72.

Prime Minister John Key has not ruled out imposing an earthquake levy similar to the flood levy brought in Queensland.

It was one of many emotional scenes at the domestic terminal of Auckland Airport as loved ones were reunited