"Entire blocks" of the Christchurch CBD will need to be demolished in the wake of the earthquake, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says.

The death toll from the Christchurch earthquake now stands at 123 and is expected to rise further today, police say.

Key stories on day five of the Christchurch earthquake.

There are many ways that you can help in the wake of yesterday's devastating Christchurch earthquake.

Bricklayer's daughter on dad's death: It was "bloody bricks" that killed him. "He would have found that funny."

Families of 27 Japanese students thought to be buried beneath the flattened CTV building are praying for a miracle.

Weekend Herald writer Phil Taylor takes to his bike to view the devastation in Christchurch.

A historic 155-year-old Christchurch mansion was reduced to a pile of dust and splintered wood today while the owner and his family looked on with glassy eyes.

Ann Bodkin kept up hope during her 26 hours entombed in the PGC building by thinking over and over 'I'm alive. I'm okay'.

Amid the tragedy and debris it feels harsh to talk about economics and daunting to talk about getting Christchurch back to business.

Christchurch lived in its heritage - grand stone buildings, many of them now shattered by the largest ground shake recorded in NZ.

Central Christchurch is facing financial oblivion, a local business leader says.

'I was having a hot dog in the Square, felt the rumble, looked around, and the cathedral just come down.'