Search and rescue staff are moving into the suburbs of Christchurch looking for the dead and injured from Tuesday's earthquake. The official death toll this morning stands at 72.

Prime Minister John Key has not ruled out imposing an earthquake levy similar to the flood levy brought in Queensland.

Images record the shocking aftermath of the magnitude 6.3 quake around the suburbs of Christchurch.

It was one of many emotional scenes at the domestic terminal of Auckland Airport as loved ones were reunited

A message from the Pope was read out at a special service to pray for safety in the days ahead.

Christchurch hospitals are busy but coping as patient numbers swell from the earthquake.

Rescuers were last night coming under fire for pulling out of attempts to get to people trapped in the CTV building. The search was abandoned yesterday after police said they were "100 per cent sure" there were no survivors.

The Crusaders early this morning withdrew from their Super 15 match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

Bear Grylls, extreme adventurer, is in New Zealand and has some survival tips for earthquake victims.

It's only when you start walking the streets of Lyttelton that the real extent of the damage becomes obvious.

We assembled outside, a bit dazed and struck by what we could see downtown - dust and collapsed buildings.

Jovy Servitillo knew she was in trouble - she was on the 23rd floor of the tallest building in Christchurch.

'Ten seconds either way' was the difference between life and death for CTV building survivor David Horsley.