Christchurch's small CBD traders will be forced out to fringe areas like Riccarton, Addington and Sydenham, says one property expert.

Strong winds that were set to hit Christchurch this afternoon did not eventuate, but residents are warned that they should secure loose roofs and beware of the threat of falling masonry.

The devastating 6.3 magnitude Christchurch quake that struck yesterday afternoon has left dozens of people dead, and many more unaccounted for.

As the Government commits itself to rebuilding earthquake-ravaged Christchurch, it is looking at costs running into tens of billions with an economic impact that will last for years.

Take a look at the destruction inside Christchurch's cathedral.

The bodies recovered after last Tuesday's 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch will be released to families as soon as possible and are being treated with respect in the meantime, the Chief Coroner says.

A man who used Lyttelton's historic Timeball Station to propose to his wife exactly a year before it was devastated by last week's quake says he is gutted the landmark has been seriously damaged.

A man who went to earthquake-hit Christchurch and joined the urban search and rescue effort there has been remanded in custody for a month after being charged with falsely representing himself as a rescue team member.

The short life of five-month-old Baxtor Gowland has been celebrated at a funeral in upper Riccarton this afternoon. A family friend said he'd be laid to rest next to his grandfather.

Baby Baxtor Gowland was today farewelled as the youngest victim of the Christchurch quake.

Police have named two more people confirmed dead in last Tuesday's magnitude 6.3 earthquake.

A distraught wife has left her husband after telling him he did not pick her up quickly enough after the earthquake.

All Whites defender Winston Reid is ready to put some of his mementoes from the World Cup up for auction to raise funds for quake-hit Christchurch.

Adrian Marsh thought he was dead after he was crushed by slabs of concrete when the Smiths City carpark collapsed around him.

Christchurch's devastating 6.3 earthquake is thought to have been caused by the rupturing of a single fault.

The Eden Park Trust Board is offering to provide a home game for the Crusaders.

Christchurch can be rebuilt in a way that buildings would withstand very strong earthquakes in the future, Prime Minister John Key says.

Images reveal the aftermath of the magnitude 6.3 quake around Christchurch.