Today's deadly Christchurch earthquake could be a sign of further devastation to come, with one seismologist warning that it had increased the likelihood of a large earthquake hitting Wellington.

The Government was this afternoon waiting for details of deaths in Christchurch and a second emergency cabinet meeting will be held tonight.

A seismologist says today's devastating Christchurch earthquake was the type of common large aftershock which he'd hoped the city had avoided.

At least one person is dead and more than 30 are trapped in the Pyne Gould Corp (PGC) business building in central Christchurch.

Residents are reporting bodies lying in the streets of Christchurch following this afternoon's magnitude 6.3 earthquake.

Strong aftershocks are continuing to shake Christchurch as police confirm "multiple fatalities" after a 6.3 magnitude quake hit the city this afternoon.

There have been 'multiple fatalities' after a shallow 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch this afternoon caused buildings to collapse, police have confirmed.

Two earthquakes have rocked the East Coast area this afternoon but there have been no reports of damage.

A Govt package for displaced homeowners is the 'first really positive thing' since the Canterbury quake, a resident says.

Cantabrians forced out of their earthquake-damaged homes are set to get financial assistance and help finding accommodation from the Govt.

Gerry Brownlee has rejected claims he told Canterbury residents that selling their quake-damaged homes would be the best way to withdraw equity.

A magnitude 3.1 earthquake, centred 30 kilometres south of Gisborne, struck just after 10pm last night.

Gisborne and Northern Hawke's Bay were rocked by a series of earthquakes on Monday between magnitude 4.2 and 3.3 at a relatively shallow depth, but no damage has been reported.

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake this morning was felt widely across the North Island, causing many people to leap out of bed.