A proposed public walk through the earthquake-devastated Christchurch city centre has been called off due to safety concerns.

A proposed public walk-through of the devastated Christchurch city centre has been labelled "grotesque" and has raised concerns priority earthquake response work might be passed over.

Labour wants limits placed on increases for residential tenancies and businesses

Police today released the names of six more people who died in Christchurch's February 22, magnitude 6.3 earthquake, while Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced 110 schools in the region will have reopened by next week.

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker says it's "appalling" some landlords are reportedly hiking rents in the wake of last month's big earthquake.

I've always found ancient places of worship to be strangely moving. Probably it's because the dominant role of organised religion in bygone times meant the greatest talents of the age were harnessed to make these churches.

Missing people are still being reported nearly two weeks after the Christchurch earthquake, police say.

The national state of emergency imposed after last month's devastating earthquake will be extended today and is likely to be in place for some time, Prime Minister John Key says.

Tears flowing down his cheeks, burly Canterbury mechanic Keith Mackie was trying to explain that life's basic necessities have been forgotten.

Residents allowed into parts of Christchurch's central business district cordon today are being warned not to enter yellow-stickered buildings.

Recovery efforts at the Canterbury TV building have officially ended, with no further positive identifications. Usar workers have sifted through every piece of debris and are satisfied nothing more can be done, the Fire Service says.

Residents of the eastern suburbs of Christchurch have been praised for the fortitude their community has shown following the February 22 earthquake.

Christchurch was last night slammed by its biggest aftershock since the day of the devastating February 22 earthquake.

The names of six more people who police have confirmed died in the February 22 Christchurch earthquake have been released.

Search teams who were bracing for grim news had a "surreal" moment when they discovered no bodies buried in the ChristChurch Cathedral spire that had collapsed during last week's devastating earthquake.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says if he had his way, most of Christchurch's heritage buildings would be bowled tomorrow.

It's the only time I saw a policeman cry. Acts of kindness can do that.

Surrounded by her children in the garage of their Hampshire St home in the Christchurch suburb of Aranui, Mafutaga Manuleleua still feels unloved.

The thoughts of everyone should be with the families of the Christchurch earthquake victims following the change in the search focus today to recovering bodies, says an emotional mayor, Bob Parker.

Christchurch is "utterly" committed to holding its Rugby World Cup matches, and its citizens "will be far from pleased if they miss out on an event that has taken on a different meaning", Mayor Bob Parker said this morning.

More than a week after the devastating earthquake police are still treating the situation as a rescue mission.