Prince William has spoken to tens of thousands of mourners at today's memorial service for Christchurch's earthquake victims in Hagley Park, 24 days after the quake devastated the city.

It was meant to come across as fighting for the suffering people of Christchurch. But it ended up sounding petty, senseless and bordering on offensive.

Dave Dobbyn, Dame Malvina Major and Hayley Westenra will perform to a crowd of tens of thousands expected to gather for today's National Memorial Service at Harley Park today.

Tickets for the Crusaders' Super rugby match against the Sharks at Twickenham in London next week are selling fast.

Finance minister keen to avoid levy despite facing cost of $10 billion

As police release more names of people who died in Christchurch's devastating earthquake, they say the toll is likely to be 182 but it could take months for the last bodies to be identified.

Thirty angry Christchurch business owners marched to Civil Defence HQ to demand to be allowed back into their central city properties to retrieve belongings before they are bulldozed down.

Prince William was today stunned by the damage in quake-hit Christchurch, where he thanked Civil Defence and USAR workers for their "stirling" efforts.

Prince William has been stunned by the scale of devastation inflicted by last month's earthquake in Christchurch, after touring the "red zone" in the central city this afternoon.

In addition to the National Memorial Service in Christchurch tomorrow, events will be held in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.

And then there were 12. Even staunch Cantab and Wallaby coach Robbie Deans was pragmatic enough to accept he would not bring his side to Christchurch

The Christchurch earthquake has continued to inspire the entertainment industry into action with benefit shows. Here are two more on the way: