Search teams in the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Forsyth Barr, CTV and PGC buildings are facing a variety of challenges in trying to secure the buildings.

Petrol and diesel prices are on the up - but not in Christchurch.

The Christchurch earthquake has delayed the preliminary hearing of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into last year's Pike River Coal mine disaster, which claimed the lives of 29 men.

Hundreds of mourners have farewelled young father Jaime Gilbert and paid tribute to the selfless actions of two men who tried to save him.

The owners of the Canterbury Television (CTV) building are welcoming a government inquiry into why the building collapsed in the Christchurch quake.

A labour of love is taking shape as the employees of Christchurch earthquake victim Owen Wright craft his coffin from the timbers he loved to turn.

Bellringer John Dunn watched news footage of the earthquake-damaged ChristChurch Cathedral with an overwhelming sense of sadness.

The Govt is not ruling out changes to Working for Families or student loans as it considers how to foot the bill for Christchurch's recovery.

New Zealanders have paid tribute to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake with two minutes' silence marking the moment the disaster struck last week.

Last week's 6.3 magnitude earthquake unearthed a time capsule under the toppled statue of one of Canterbury's founding fathers, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said today.

The death toll from the Christchurch earthquake is likely to be about 240, police say.

Andrew Christian Ross Craig, 46, was killed when the bus he was driving was buried by a falling building.

Mr Parkin was working at the Southern Ink Tattoo studio on Colombo St when last week's quake struck. His apprentice Matti McEachen was killed as the building collapsed and another staffer, Bonnie Singh, managed to crawl to safety with

Find out what Kiwis and people overseas are doing to help Christchurch after the earthquake.

Richie McCaw says he knew the quake was bad as soon as it hit but "during the tough times, you see the good in people coming out."

Teams from across globe touched by city's loss toil side by side amidst rubble.

Damage to historic sites an extra blow for grieving Christchurch.

More than 200 Christchurch students are being taught in classrooms as far afield as Auckland while their schools undergo inspection and repair.

Residents with no toilets, power or water but loads of sludge can still manage a smile.

Strong winds that were set to hit Christchurch this afternoon did not eventuate, but residents are warned that they should secure loose roofs and beware of the threat of falling masonry.

The devastating 6.3 magnitude Christchurch quake that struck yesterday afternoon has left dozens of people dead, and many more unaccounted for.

As the Government commits itself to rebuilding earthquake-ravaged Christchurch, it is looking at costs running into tens of billions with an economic impact that will last for years.

Prime Minister John Key today announced those put out of work by last week's deadly earthquake will be eligible for subsidies of $400 per week.