John Key says a claim that 10,000 houses would have to be abandoned in Christchurch was not based on official advice.

The playing surface is rippled and bulging with patches of sludge. Concrete structures are cracked and dislodged.

Police have released the names of 13 more people who died in the February 22 Christchurch earthquake, including the partner and five-week-old baby of a man who is lying injured in Dunedin Hospital.

Prime Minister John Key has conceded he received no official advice that some areas of quake-stricken Christchurch may need to be abandoned.

Businesses and residents may be able to retrieve important belongings from earthquake-damaged areas of Christchurch's CBD from next week.

Engineering reports expected in coming days on Christchurch's earthquake-damaged AMI Stadium will dictate whether the city can play host to the Rugby World Cup.

The land in some parts of Christchurch is so badly damaged entire streets and even neighbourhoods may be abandoned completely. Early indications suggest as many as 10,000 houses will have to be demolished.

The men who led the escape from the Hotel Grand Chancellor smashed through doors, tip-toed down crumbling staircases, and considered abseiling from the 23rd floor.

A Chinese businessman has donated $100,000 to the Christchurch earthquake appeal after reading about the numerous Chinese people killed or missing.

The date for a National Memorial Service to honor victims of the Christchurch earthquake has been named. The service, which will be held in North Hagley Park, is being organised by the Christchurch City Council and the Visits and Ceremonial

A 30-tonne rock that landed in the hallway of a Christchurch house during last month's earthquake has raised more than....

Missing people are still being reported nearly two weeks after the Christchurch earthquake, police say.

A man who helped others cross the Port Hills after the earthquake before being hit by falling boulders was remembered today at a service attended by hundreds.