Civil Defence has issued a marine tsunami warning for New Zealand after a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck Japan early tonight, NZ time, but says it does not expect it to pose a threat for people on land.

Civil Defence says there is a potential threat of a tsunami reaching New Zealand after a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck Japan tonight, NZ time, but it has not issued an official warning yet.

A devastating tsunami swept in after an 8.9 earthquake struck Japan on Friday.

A proposed public walk through the earthquake-devastated Christchurch city centre has been called off due to safety concerns.

Hundreds of refugees who fled their wartorn countries only to be caught up in the Christchurch earthquake are determined to return to Canterbury.

Prime Minister John Key has hit back at a British rugby writer who has declared there's no way Rugby World Cup matches can be held in Christchurch.

All Christchurch houses will be assessed for damage over the next eight weeks in an EQC rapid assessment process. All homes will be ranked into categories of damage, then homeowners given a timeframe...

A proposed public walk-through of the devastated Christchurch city centre has been labelled "grotesque" and has raised concerns priority earthquake response work might be passed over.

The Christchurch earthquake rebuild could cost as much as $30 billion, but could make Christchurch.....

More than two weeks on from the earthquake that changed our second largest city forever, we recap the events that gripped the nation.

NZX head Mark Weldon is to head the Government's earthquake appeal, raising speculation that he may political aspirations.