A search for survivors has now become a grim effort to recover dead bodies from the rubble of Christchurch city centre.

Many parents are seemingly conflicted about what to tell their young ones in the wake of such an enormous event, writes Dita De Boni.

The Government's budget in May will show the cost of the Christchurch earthquake, Prime Minister John Key says.

A funeral service was held this afternoon to celebrate the life of Christchurch quake victim Jeff Pelesa Sanft.

Earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee has admitted the eastern suburbs of Christchurch have been neglected.

In response to the tragic earthquake in Christchurch on Tuesday, several events across New Zealand have been organised to raise money for relief funds.

Christchurch is "utterly" committed to holding its Rugby World Cup matches, and its citizens "will be far from pleased if they miss out on an event that has taken on a different meaning", Mayor Bob Parker said this morning.

Residents of the quake-stricken Christchurch seaside suburb of New Brighton will start having their homes reconnected to electricity tonight.

The Powerball jackpot has been bumped up for this weekend's special draw to benefit the people of Christchurch, NZ Lotteries says.

More than a week after the devastating earthquake police are still treating the situation as a rescue mission.

It's been some week for NZ television. I'm sure I'm not alone in having spent more time, in the last 10 days, watching it than I have all year - that's the effect of quality viewing, or at least television which is irrefutably compelling.

Small businesses in the Christchurch beachside suburb of Sumner are without water, but waiting for customers.

The two buildings that claimed the greatest number of lives in the earthquake were built on soft soil.

The earthquake and last week's deadly tremor were on faultlines that did not exist on GNS Science's database.

Judge Tony Couch has sent a stern message to Christchurch. Behave in this crisis or face the consequences.

Kick them while they are down is no one's idea of how to administer first aid.