Kick them while they are down is no one's idea of how to administer first aid.

nzherald.co.nz reporter Paul Harper on the newest problem facing earthquake-hit Christchurch - dust, dust and more dust.

After two days of hot weather, the reeking sewage-laden silt has dried and the wind sends its dust billowing out.

One of the world's biggest reinsurers estimated today that last week's Christchurch earthquake would cost insurers between $8.1 billion and $16b.

Applications for financial support following last week's deadly Christchurch quake are flooding in.

A week on from the quake, Christchurch people tell their stories to Christchurch Star reporters...

Wealthy parents receiving money from Working for Families look set to lose the funding as the Govt looks to find financial relief for the Christchurch quake.

Canterbury DHB chief executive David Meates has invoked memories of Hurricane Katrina to justify evacuating hundreds of elderly out of the Christchurch in the wake of last week's earthquake.

The grief-stricken family of eight-month-old quake victim Jayden Harris farewelled him in a moving ceremony in Christchurch today.

The new Financial Markets Authority will have the power to clamp down on low-ball stock offers the likes of which are used by Christchurch businessman Bernard Whimp.

The Accident Compensation Corporation's bill from the Christchurch earthquake has been put at $370 million, says ACC Minister Nick Smith.

James Murdoch stood with his arms folded and watched grimly as years of hard work was torn down in front of him.

More than 300 elderly people have been moved from quake-damaged residential care centres in Christchurch, some without the knowledge of their families, Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) has admitted.

Christchurch-based band The Eastern are about to tour makeshift backyard stages in the city's quake-hit suburbs.

Face masks are being handed out as strong wind gusts lift tonnes of dust as high as lamp posts and spread the smell of sewage around Christchurch.