At least 22 commercial properties and 50 homes in the small quake-damaged North Canterbury town of Kaiapoi have been deemed unsafe, with its mayor admitting the town is changed forever.

Most schools in the quake-devastated Canterbury region are not likely to open until Monday, the Education Minister says.

Follow the developing situation on day five of the Christchurch earthquake disaster.

The final bill for the Christchurch earthquake may reach $4 billion, almost double initial estimates, Treasury Secretary John Whitehead said afternoon.

Find out how Christchurch services are functioning following Saturday's 7.1 quake and this morning's violent 5.1 aftershock

Aftershocks are continuing to hit Canterbury with one measuring 4.1 the latest in a series today that also included a 5.1.

If you only have a minute and you want today's need-to-know earthquake news at a glance, this is the page for you.

The Government has set aside $2.4 million for trauma counselling for Christchurch earthquake victims, Paula Bennett says.

The state of emergency in Christchurch has been extended a further seven days following an aftershock of 5.1 on the Richter scale this morning.

Re-building Canterbury after the earthquake will happen, but it may happen quickly, says Fletcher Building chief executive Jonathan Ling.

The huge quake in Christchurch left hundreds of people homeless, and many helpless. Here are some of the victims that have told us their stories.

With planning and a bit of luck it's possible to survive a natural disaster without major loss of life.

The Govt may rush through legislation to enable rebuilding in the wake of Canterbury’s earthquake, with retrospective building consents.

Some of the best known restaurants in Christchurch may never reopen in the same buildings.

A golden retriever puppy needed emergency surgery after cutting off the side of his nose running away in panic when the quake hit.

Victims of Saturday's earthquake share their stories of survival.

Rachel Glucina looks at the latest celebrity tweets on the Christchurch earthquake.

An open source online map has been set up to help Cantabrians find help nearest to them.

The political stakes have suddenly become very high as the enormity of the earthquake's impact becomes more and more apparent.

Dr Mark Quigley, lecturer in Active Tectonics, explains why Canterbury is experiencing so many aftershocks.

Christchurch residents just want the shaking to stop after Saturday's earthquake.

The war of words between the movie and music stars lending support to Haiti has become very personal.

Stricken homeowners and workers will start receiving compensation and emergency payouts within days as Christchurch's earthquake bill threatens to exceed $2bn.