Another aftershock has hit Canterbury this evening.

A "little swarm" of four small earthquakes near Taupo yesterday was not unusual or concerning, a seismologist says.

Demolition work proceeds on the Manchester Courts building, one of the earthquake damaged buildings on the corner of Manchester and Hereford Streets in Christchurch.

The EQC has paid out over $145m to residents affected by the Canterbury quake two months ago, but only a small proportion of the claims have been assessed.

A group of surfers - including a Kiwi - have arrived in the Indonesian city of Padang with a harrowing tale of survival in the tsunami.

A Kiwi was forced to jump into the sea when a 3m tsunami tore two boats from their anchorages at an Indonesian surf break.

Nine Australians feared missing after the Indonesian tsunami are safe and well.

Around 50 New Zealand surfers could have been in the Indonesian area where a small tsunami caused by a 7.7 earthquake hit early this morning.