Some Christchurch suburbs will be left as virtual residential wastelands, while townships on the city's fringe are bracing for an influx of new residents.

Bruised and battered earthquake survivor Anne Malcolm will finally get to meet her guardian angel.

The Government's coalition partners have been warned their pet projects will not be exempt from the drive for savings in this year's Budget, with funding for the Act Party's taskforce and Maori Party's Whanau Ora scheme under review.

Hundreds of Cantabrians have turned out to attend the funeral of former Canterbury TV host Jo Giles, who died in the February 22nd earthquake, while police have revealed one of their own was also a victim of the quake.

A group of about 30 Christchurch business people protesting over not being allowed into their CBD businesses have met with Civil Defence officials this afternoon after angry protesters broke through the red zone cordons yesterday.

Civil Defence could have communicated better with frustrated business owners in Christchurch, its minister John Carter says.

The Government has announced a $6.85 million "needs-based" economic recovery plan to help Canterbury businesses get back on their feet, which has been welcomed by local groups.

Real estate agency Bayleys Canterbury is predicting a broader but lower central business district will arise in Christchurch after last month's earthquake, while demand is expected to escalate for residential properties in more stable areas

Christchurch police say they will arrest any business owner who deliberately breaches a cordon in the CBD.

About 120 Christchurch business owners stormed the inner-city cordon yesterday.

Some government programmes will be axed as budget spending is cut to pay for rebuilding Christchurch, Prime Minister John Key says.

People who force their way through cordons into Christchurch's quake-ravaged central business district (CBD) could be killed, police say.

Protests from angry Christchurch business owners locked out of the damaged CBD have intensified today, with police physically intervening when several protesters went inside the cordon.

"It is not enough to design purely for life safety," says Auckland architect Barry Copeland.

CTV building survivor Anne Malcolm wants a simple question answered: Who is the man helping her in this photo?

Prince Charles offered architectural advice to Christchurch but didn't visit, whereas Prince William shelved ongoing wedding plans last week to support our quake victims. So, who should be New Zealand's next King?