Victim Support volunteers, many who have themselves lost homes, are working round the clock in Christchurch to provide support to a city which has "lost its heart" after Tuesday's devastating earthquake.

Buildings damaged in Tuesday's earthquake in Christchurch are being made more unstable by rain falling in the city today, police say.

The New Zealand Defence Force continues with its efforts in Christchurch.

Looting and scams in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Christchurch has sparked anger and warnings from police.

Standard & Poor's Rating Services says the government is likely to be called on to fund claims from the Christchurch earthquake.

If increased levies are needed to replenish Earthquake Commission funds then the Government would consider it, Prime Minister John Key says.

The March 8 Census has been cancelled following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says.

The devastation from Tuesday's earthquake in Christchurch needs to be seen to be comprehended and rescue workers are doing an "outstanding job", Civil Defence Minister John Carter says.

We may imagine we're bullet-proof, but life's dangers are always lurking.

A bride-to-be huddled in the ruins of her office had no idea her fiance was frantically searching for her outside.

When Jilly Murphy rushed back into a shop after the earthquake, she had one thing on her mind - her family.

A medical specialist used tradesmen's tools to amputate the legs of an earthquake victim.

Five key stories from this morning's coverage of the Christchurch earthquake.

Christchurch earthquake - reaction, thoughts, pictures from social media in New Zealand and around the world.

Television bosses were in complex talks with advertisers yesterday to bring commercials back into their news schedules.

"I have lost a leg. They had to cut it off to save me." Those were the first words rescued student Kento Okuda said to his mother.

A woman found beneath the rubble of a building held her dead brother's hand as she cried out for help from under the debris - and her heart-wrenching cries prompted rescuers to carry on digging until they freed him.

Baxtor Gowland was born two weeks after the September earthquake in Christchurch. Yesterday, he was named the youngest victim of Tuesday's quake.

More than 200 elderly patients have been evacuated from rest homes damaged in the earthquake.