Most of the seven RWC matches pulled from quake-damaged AMI Stadium are set to be moved to the North Island, despite the Government's desire to keep all the pool games in the South Island.

Police have this evening confirmed the identities of a further 11 people who died in the Christchurch earthquake, all of whom died at King's Education language school in the devastated CTV building.

Christchurch had been set to host two quarterfinals and five group-stage games but, after a meeting with International Rugby Board officials today, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully announced the city would no longer have that role.

Christchurch has been stripped of its seven Rugby World Cup matches due to damage at AMI Stadium following last month’s earthquake, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully has announced with "great regret".

About 30 Christchurch business owners were given the chance this morning to retrieve what they could from their premises inside the cordon around the most quake-damaged parts of the central city.

An announcement on whether Rugby World Cup games can be held in Christchurch is expected at

Auckland is likely to make a huge economic gain should the Christchurch Rugby World Cup games be relocated, Auckland interest groups say.

It is unlikely more bodies will be found in quake-ravaged central Christchurch but the confirmed death toll is still expected to climb as the coroner works on identifying individuals from badly damaged remains, police say.