The government's freezing of EQC's email system is unprecedented for an entire organisation, an IT expert says.

All emails and information technology systems have been frozen at the Earthquake Commission tonight in a drastic move to stop privacy breaches.

The man at the centre of the EQC privacy bungle says the email has been binned but he is seeking the legal green light to retrieve it and use it in a legal battle.

The Earthquake Commission has laid a complaint with police against the recipient of an accidental email including private customer information.

Police will decide soon on whether a formal investigation is warranted into the collapse of the Canterbury Television building, which killed 115 people.

Prime Minister John Key has come under fire for downplaying "a serious and widespread" data security problem across government departments.

Earthquake Commission boss Ian Simpson has offered to resign over the commission's massive privacy breach but has been told to stay on and fix up the mess.

Earthquake Commission boss Ian Simpson has offered to resign over the commission's massive privacy breach but has been told to stay on and fix up the mess.

The man who was sent details on 83,000 claimants in the Earthquake Commission privacy breach says the document contains detailed information and "everything is in there".

Engineers have unveiled a plan which they say can allow for the restoration of the Christ Church Cathedral.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has been questioned in Parliament over allegations of fraud and corruption involving Canterbury earthquake rebuild contracts.

Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee, along with CERA chief executive Roger Sutton and CCDU director Warwick Isaacs, visit areas of the Rebuild Zone to discuss progress with business and land owners. courtesy YouTube/cerachch

Around 50 members of the Japanese community in Christchurch have turned out to remember those who suffered in their homeland's quake and tsunami.

The largest concrete pour within the Christchurch central city cordon so far began at 3am on Thursday 28 February, and took 13 hours to complete. This timelapse shows the almost-750 cubic metres of concrete being laid on the site of a new four-storey office building on the corner of High and Lichfield streets. There were 32 trucks and two pumps were needed for the project as well as a team of 19 staff.

Weekend Herald consumer finance writer Diana Clement explains changes to home insurance policies and how they could affect you.

A multi-million dollar insurance payout for the earthquake-crippled Christ Church Cathedral should be used to help fund the Anglican Church's temporary cardboard cathedral, a court heard today.

I felt like I'd gone back to the future on Sunday night when I turned to Prime and came upon one of those most rare and ancient beasts though it took a disaster to make it.

Friday marked the second anniversary since the 2011 Christchurch earthquake but the city has still not established a future international cricket venue.

The city that shook and crumbled at 12.51pm on February 22, 2011 came to a respectful standstill today as the 185 Canterbury earthquake victims were remembered.

The site of the CTV Building collapse has been opened up today for grieving friends and family to pay their respects on the second anniversary of the February 22 earthquake.

Members of the public attend the Christchurch Civic Memorial service held in Latimer Square to commemorate the second anniversary of the February 22 Canterbury Earthquake.

Two years on. One year on from the one year anniversary, the city feels very subdued, writes James Dann. There is no big civic memorial ceremony.

Today marks the second anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake of February 22, 2011. Follow our updates of all the events marking the occasion here.