There are 76 dead in the temporary morgue set up by police in Christchurch and more coming "in ones and twos", Police Minister Judith Collins said as she praised the efforts of rescue workers this afternoon.

Police and security staff are worrying about the possible further collapse of building facades.

More bodies have been recovered from the collapsed CTV building in Christchurch.

Personnel at the PGC building in Christchurch have switched their focus from trying to find survivors to recovering the dead, the company says.

Christchurch earthquake - reaction, thoughts, pictures from social media in New Zealand and around the world.

Rescuers have found no survivors at two Christchurch CBD buildings where signs of life were reported this morning, the Fire Service says.

Prime Minister John Key has not ruled out imposing an earthquake levy similar to the flood levy brought in Queensland.

It was one of many emotional scenes at the domestic terminal of Auckland Airport as loved ones were reunited

A message from the Pope was read out at a special service to pray for safety in the days ahead.

Hope is fading for hundreds of people missing for a second night after the Christchurch earthquake.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday saw for himself the grim situation confronting earthquake survivors.

Christchurch hospitals are busy but coping as patient numbers swell from the earthquake.

Rescuers were last night coming under fire for pulling out of attempts to get to people trapped in the CTV building. The search was abandoned yesterday after police said they were "100 per cent sure" there were no survivors.

At least 14 were still trapped and facing a second cold and lonely night in the mangled PGG building.