COMMENT: Recovery from the Kaikoura earthquakes should be an improvement on what we did in Canterbury.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges officially reopens the road south of Kaikoura.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has had another up-close look at damage to SH1 as he prepares to make an announcement about reopening the road to Kaikoura's south.

Preparations are under way to tear down carpark building damaged in Wellington quake.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 has struck off the Solomon Islands, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The Wellington City Council is writing to the owners of 80 buildings affected by last month's monster quake, telling them they need targeted engineering assessments.

Geonet say there is a 98 per cent chance of an aftershock of 6 to 6.9 magnitude in the next year.

Scientists are still trying to understand the strange tsunami activity that occurred in last month's 7.8 Kaikoura Earthquake - and have called upon people to help them.

7.9 earthquake has struck off Papua New Guinea prompting a tsunami warning, however there have been no reports of injuries.

Local runanga have halted slip-clearing operations on earthquake-damaged State Highway 1 and the rail link north of Kaikoura.

Police have completed their criminal investigation into the fatal CTV building collapse and are now seeking legal advice on whether charges will be laid.

After six years of uncertainty, the Westland District Council yesterday dropped the controversial "fault rupture avoidance zone" that divided Franz Josef Glacier township.

The inland road to Kaikoura will open to the public for unrestricted use next week.

Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says he doesn't regret a heated exchange with a farmer in Kaikoura yesterday.

Important fishery in good shape after Kaikoura earthquake.

NIWA marine ecology technician Mark Fenwick was recently working off the coast of Marlborough, participating in survey work to determine the impacts of the November 14 mW 7.8 earthquake on the rock lobster fishery.

A 40,000 km line along the Pacific Rim, known as the "ring of fire," is the most geologically active place on earth.

Just above Australia, the sea floor has been torn, creating a huge hole 7km deep. It could cause deadly quakes and tsunamis.

More office workers have been sent home in central Wellington as more earthquake damage comes to light.

Prime Minister Bill English is making his first official visit today - to earthquake ravaged Kaikoura.

Bill English's first official visit takes him to Kaikoura, where he is impressed by recovery efforts.

The Government has committed to rebuilding State Highway 1 to Kaikoura - at a cost of more than $1 billion.

Relief for Wellington workers this morning as part of Molesworth St finally reopens.

The man who added to the anxiety of Gisborne residents this week after warning of an earthquake insists he has "nothing to apologise for".

Demolition contractors have been able to get a small amount of material out of the quake-damaged building at 61 Molesworth St.

People whose houses were damaged in last month's earthquake can apply for a $1000 Red Cross grant.

School leavers remarkably unaffected by earthquakes, surprising research finds.

The quake struck just after midnight on November 14, causing massive fault line ruptures and slips, damaging buildings and closing key roads.

The Earthquake Commission and the Insurance Council of New Zealand have struck a deal to stop double ups on assessing property.

Just "three or four" slips remain across State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura at this stage and teams are working hard to clear them.