"We are expecting a difficult crossing tomorrow so we're making sure everyone is well refreshed and rested."

The Defence Force has now evacuated more than 800 people from Kaikoura.

Hanmer Springs locals and business owners are amazed that the alpine tourist village near the epicentre of Monday's massive earthquake has escaped any major damage.

Kaikoura schools are in generally good shape and some may be able to open next week, according to the Ministry of Education.

Warships from Australia, Canada and the United States have arrived in Kaikoura to help with disaster relief efforts.

A police attempt to reach the small North Canterbury township of Waiau by flight was abandoned today due to poor weather and low visibility. Planning

Eight properties in Marlborough have been identified as being too badly damaged to be entered.

BNZ's Harbour Quays building won't reopen for months following damage to CentrePort in the 7.8 earthquake.

Whale Watch Kaikoura is overwhelmed by the support they have received following a temporary closure after Monday's quake.

The road into Waiau will be "average" for some time, locals say, but the community is already rebuilding their lives after Monday's devastating earthquake.

A petition against Destiny Church's tax-free status is gaining momentum - with 102,000 signatures and climbing.

Residents of Collina Terrace in Central Wellington have been allowed to briefly return to their houses to collect essential possessions.

A Civil Defence helicopter made a nappy run to a remote part of Marlborough to bring supplies to a family with a young baby who have been cut off.

An alternative inland route for ferry traffic has been established running from Picton to Christchurch, via Murchison and the Lewis Pass.

Power, water and road access is slowly being restored to earthquake-hit areas of the South Island as crews work around the clock.

Residents of Collina Terrace in Central Wellington have been allowed to briefly return to their houses to collect essential possessions.

Cordons have been reduced in quake-damaged Wellington but the fate of dozens of buildings is still unclear. Our reporter Tristram Clayton is at the scene.

Science reporter Jamie Morton talks to GNS Science earthquake geologist Dr Rob Langridge, who has been on the ground mapping damage around Marlborough.

Strong aftershocks continue.

There are going to be a lot of fit office workers in Wellington with the city's 2500 needing surveying.

Questions are being asked about why key government buildings in Wellington have been impacted so badly, as concerns about more buildings emerge.

Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald discusses how we can best respond to those living through the earthquakes, and why it's okay to let yourself be afraid.

A truck driver has described the inland road into Kaikoura as being like Russian roulette.

Kaikoura locals are beginning to join the exodus out of their quake ravaged settlement. With 1000 tourists successfully evacuated

Geologists find previously unknown faultlines surface after Monday's 7.8 quake.

Trapped between two slips and cut off from news of the outside world, traumatised evacuees from Kaikoura tell their stories.

Bernadine Oliver-Kerby talks to Katie Milne from Federated Farmers about how the Kaikoura earthquake and subsequent aftershocks have affected livestock, milk production, the farmers and their families.

"If in doubt, get professional advice from an engineer or a surveyor," is the advice for homeowners affected by the quakes.

A further public health message has been issued for quake affected communities.