Prince William will address the thousands of people expected at next week's national memorial service for the victims of the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

The Government will not immediately release engineering reports on whether AMI Stadium in Christchurch can be used for Rugby World Cup games.

Police have confirmed the identities of a further eight people who died in the Christchurch earthquake, while the head of the NZ stock exchange has been picked to lead a global fundraising effort aimed at rebuilding Christchurch.

Vulnerable Christchurch residents are anxiously awaiting information on whether their neighbourhood may need to be abandoned.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley says he does not want temporary housing ghettos to spring up in quake-stricken Christchurch.

The cost of rebuilding Christchurch could exceed Treasury predictions by $5 billion, a Fletcher Building executive has estimated.

While Lyttelton residents are lamenting the loss of 135 years of history as a demolition order hangs over their town's historic Timeball Station, one woman is mourning the loss of her home.

Two police officers have been accused of beating a young autistic man who became "the face of looting".

Robert Gilbert is paying tribute to his son Jaime, who died in the quake, by playing his part in a Repertory production of 'Hamlet'.

In the last two weeks, a highly trained group of once-abandoned dogs have proved invaluable in quake-torn Christchurch.

John Key says a claim that 10,000 houses would have to be abandoned in Christchurch was not based on official advice.