The body of Janet Meller has probably been lying in the morgue at Burnham for 11 days - but her partner doesn't know for sure.

Christchurch was last night slammed by its biggest aftershock since the day of the devastating February 22 earthquake.

People listen to each other over and over as they recall the stories of escape, of bravery, of fear.

Of all the emergency workers in Christchurch, these 16 police staff may have the worst job of all: identifying the broken bodies of the dead.

Labour MP Lianne Dalziel's is a discordant voice at a time when few dare criticise the emergency response.

The Christchurch quake as turned some ordinary people into heroes, writes Kerre Woodham.

The Christchurch boy killed a day before his 15th birthday when the earthquake struck has been farewelled.

A large aftershock has hit quake-weary Christchurch this evening, with fears it may have caused more damage.

Justin Marshall never took a backward step on a rugby field though these days he surveys his Sumner backyard with a sense of trepidation.

The names of six more people who police have confirmed died in the February 22 Christchurch earthquake have been released.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says if he had his way, most of Christchurch's heritage buildings would be bowled tomorrow.

An Australian searcher who helped remove victims from the earthquake-ravaged Canterbury TV building says bringing closure to families was his way of coping with the devastation.

Marcel Mihulka had carefully planned a romantic candlelit proposal at a hot spa overlooking Queenstown's Shotover River.

Teens who struggled to buy tickets won their fight to get their money back after their swimming event in Christchurch was cancelled.

When the roof of the Pyne Gould Corporation building fell in, more than 100 workers were inside.

The intensity of shaking during last week's quake was unprecedented in New Zealand for its Richter magnitude, says an engineering expert.

What is staggering about the Christchurch earthquake is the way it seems to keep getting bigger.

It's the only time I saw a policeman cry. Acts of kindness can do that.

Central Auckland would suffer only a few casualties if struck by an earthquake similar to the Lyttelton shake.