A 55-year-old man was killed after being hit by a white taxi van on the eastern boundary of the Canterbury town of Springfield about 3am today.

Score another point for moon man Ken Ring - he picked the latest earthquake for Christchurch.

A positive buzz has returned to Christchurch this morning, with hundreds of volunteers turning up to help clear silt from Monday's earthquake.

Two people have been injured in a serious crash on the Rakaia Bridge in south Canterbury.

Christchurch residents are likely to have been woken today after a magnitude 4.4 aftershock struck shortly before 7am.

When roots run deep they can survive many a shaking.

Sheep-stealer James Mackenzie's hideaway is stunningly beautiful, writes Jim Eagles, and the food is equally stunning.

The Christchurch Cathedral dean says the building will always be at the centre of the city, wherever that might be.

Originally from the United States, Mike Weesering and his partner Claudia planted the first grapes on their Pyramid Valley vineyard in North Canterbury in 2000.

Pharmacist sees the tension in customers' faces - and in their prescriptions.