Residents with no toilets, power or water but loads of sludge can still manage a smile.

Christchurch's small CBD traders will be forced out to fringe areas like Riccarton, Addington and Sydenham, says one property expert.

Amanda Hooper an incredibly motivated and loving person, says her former coach.

A year from now, Christchurch will still be rattled by a magnitude-four aftershock at least once a month, according to a scientist.

Christchurch hoteliers are waiting to assess the damage to tourist accommodation with about 3000 rooms behind the CBD cordon.

Strong winds that were set to hit Christchurch this afternoon did not eventuate, but residents are warned that they should secure loose roofs and beware of the threat of falling masonry.

As the Government commits itself to rebuilding earthquake-ravaged Christchurch, it is looking at costs running into tens of billions with an economic impact that will last for years.

The bodies recovered after last Tuesday's 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch will be released to families as soon as possible and are being treated with respect in the meantime, the Chief Coroner says.

A man who used Lyttelton's historic Timeball Station to propose to his wife exactly a year before it was devastated by last week's quake says he is gutted the landmark has been seriously damaged.

A man who went to earthquake-hit Christchurch and joined the urban search and rescue effort there has been remanded in custody for a month after being charged with falsely representing himself as a rescue team member.

The short life of five-month-old Baxtor Gowland has been celebrated at a funeral in upper Riccarton this afternoon. A family friend said he'd be laid to rest next to his grandfather.