The state of emergency in Christchurch has been extended a further seven days following an aftershock of 5.1 on the Richter scale this morning.

Re-building Canterbury after the earthquake will happen, but it may happen quickly, says Fletcher Building chief executive Jonathan Ling.

The huge quake in Christchurch left hundreds of people homeless, and many helpless. Here are some of the victims that have told us their stories.

With planning and a bit of luck it's possible to survive a natural disaster without major loss of life.

The Govt may rush through legislation to enable rebuilding in the wake of Canterbury’s earthquake, with retrospective building consents.

Some of the best known restaurants in Christchurch may never reopen in the same buildings.

Canterbury businesses are doing a third less trade than the same time last year in the wake of Saturday's earthquake, latest electronic transaction figures show.

An open source online map has been set up to help Cantabrians find help nearest to them.

The political stakes have suddenly become very high as the enormity of the earthquake's impact becomes more and more apparent.

Dr Mark Quigley, lecturer in Active Tectonics, explains why Canterbury is experiencing so many aftershocks.

Christchurch residents just want the shaking to stop after Saturday's earthquake.

Stricken homeowners and workers will start receiving compensation and emergency payouts within days as Christchurch's earthquake bill threatens to exceed $2bn.

Politicians swooped into earthquake-ravaged Christchurch last night, visiting a shelter that descended into chaos at John Key's visit.

The Government has stepped in with an emergency wage subsidy for quake-stricken workers who aren't being paid.

Follow the developing situation on day four of the Christchurch earthquake disaster with nzherald.co.nz's latest updates.