Aftershocks have continued this afternoon after a magnitude 5.0 quake hit late this morning, causing panic, power outages and damage.

Civil Defence say today's 5.0 aftershock would have felt on the ground like a magnitude 7 quake.

Demolition has begun on one of Christchurch's most famous buildings, Manchester Courts, which suffered irreversible damage during the massive September 4 earthquake.

A pioneer homestead shattered by the Canterbury earthquake is to be pulled down.

Fletcher Building, expects the residential property market to pick up next year when rebuilding begins in Canterbury and the government's response to 'leaky homes' comes into effect.

Another aftershock has hit Christchurch late this afternoon.

An historic Christchurch building damaged in last month's earthquake will be demolished.

Whitebait caught from sewage-contaminated rivers could end up on the plates of unsuspecting diners at restaurants and cafes.

Check out our Google map to see which areas have been hardest hit by aftershocks since the September 4 Christchurch earthquake.

Canterbury residents were shaken awake last night by two big earthquakes - exactly a month after the destructive 7.1 quake.