Yesterday's quake - the death toll for which stands at 75 - may prove to be NZ's worst natural disaster.

Police say more than 100 people may have been lost in Christchurch's quake-ravaged Canterbury TV building, which they say is "unsurvivable". The official toll from yesterday's devastating quake stands at 75.

Massive earthquake damage in Christchurch means Kirifi Mila, the New Zealand soldier killed in Afghanistan last week, will be buried in Hamilton without a formal military farewell from his army mates.

Fifteen CTV staff are believed to have died when their central Christchurch building collapsed after yesterday's magnitude 6.3 quake, CTV chairman Nick Smith says.

At least 14 people are missing from two companies in the Pyne Gould building in Christchurch tonight.

A woman trapped in rubble left a harrowing message for her son, in which she said she didn't think she would survive.

Declaring a national state of emergency is an option when a disaster or other event is or is likely to be of such severity that it is beyond the resources of the local Civil Defence groups.

Police have abandoned all hope of finding survivors at the collapsed Canterbury TV building in central Christchurch, with a police chief saying he was "100 per cent" certain those trapped inside were dead.

There are genuine fears that the Crusaders will have to find a new home for the remainder of Super Rugby season.

In an emotional reunion, a woman trapped for more than 25 hours in a cramped, dark space in the destroyed PGG building has finally been rescued and reunited with her worried husband.

Fletcher Construction says its residential repair programme in Canterbury as agent for the Earthquake Commission (EQC) is temporarily on hold.

A man who has more than a dozen close friends and colleagues missing in earthquake-devastated central Christchurch says all he can do is wait and hope they are still alive.

Much of Christchurch is without essential services after yesterday's earthquake with gas, power, water and phone infrastructure all affected.

At least 100 people remain trapped in the ruins of Christchurch tonight following a devastating earthquake which claimed at least 65 lives.

A second huge quake has devastated the homes and lives of Cantabrians. Send your messages of support to those affected by the devastating quake.

Residents of the town at the epicentre of today's devastating aftershock have told of terrifying ordeals as the ground crumbled around them.

Several appeals have been launched to help Cantabrians following today's devastating earthquake. ANZ launched an appeal and announced it would make the first donation, $1 million.

Darkness, rain and temperatures are falling on Christchurch with people still trapped in buildings crumpled by a massive earthquake. So far, 65 people have been confirmed dead with the toll expected to rise.

Prime Minister John Key has told reporters that the death toll from today's magnitude 6.3 earthquake stands at 65, and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said it could quite possibly double.

Dramatic tales of survival are beginning to emerge from today's devastating Christchurch earthquake.

The Government was this afternoon waiting for details of deaths in Christchurch and a second emergency cabinet meeting will be held tonight.

A seismologist says today's devastating Christchurch earthquake was the type of common large aftershock which he'd hoped the city had avoided.