The Kiwi exodus across the Tasman has hit a 32-year-high, swelled by people fleeing quake-ravaged Christchurch.

Score another point for moon man Ken Ring - he picked the latest earthquake for Christchurch.

A positive buzz has returned to Christchurch this morning, with hundreds of volunteers turning up to help clear silt from Monday's earthquake.

Christchurch residents are likely to have been woken today after a magnitude 4.4 aftershock struck shortly before 7am.

When roots run deep they can survive many a shaking.