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.

Murray John Wood's day job was managing director of Canterbury Television. But outside his office he would often be found hammering the keys of his piano around the Garden City.

Tattoo apprentice Matthew Stuart McEachen (Matti) died as Southern Ink Tattoo in Manchester St came crashing to the ground.

At least 14 were still trapped and facing a second cold and lonely night in the mangled PGG building.

Philip John McDonald (Phil), 57, an accountant with Leech and Partners, was working at the firm's offices in the Pyne Gould Corporation building in Cambridge Terrace when the earthquake struck.

Their task is to enter highly restricted and prohibited areas, putting their lives on the line to save others.

Hope is fading for hundreds of people missing for a second night after the Christchurch earthquake.

The Crusaders early this morning withdrew from their Super 15 match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

Bear Grylls, extreme adventurer, is in New Zealand and has some survival tips for earthquake victims.

Seaweed cuisine is enjoying a wave of popularity worldwide.

Jeff Pelesa Sanft, 32, was travelling on a bus in Christchurch's city centre when the earthquake struck.

Jovy Servitillo knew she was in trouble - she was on the 23rd floor of the tallest building in Christchurch.

'Ten seconds either way' was the difference between life and death for CTV building survivor David Horsley.

At least one Australian "family man" is among the Christchurch earthquake dead and the Australian government has warned the public to brace for more bad news.