More than 1700 tremors have rocked central New Zealand since Monday - but this constant shaking is normal says scientists.

COMMENT: John Key plans to take his opportunity to ask questions about Trans Pacific Partnership.

Incredible images illustrate just how devastating the earthquake was to the country.

Wellington commuters face delays and disruption as the city struggles to get back to normal.

Grant Nicholson experienced first-hand the force of this week's massive earthquake.

COMMENT: Key and his cohorts face a rethink on the Government's fiscal priorities to allow for another significant rebuild.

Prime Minister John Key expects to talk to US President-elect Donald Trump today - and will also tour quake-hit areas.

As Canterbury Civil Defence declared a region-wide state of emergency, people from around South Island banned together to support those affected by quake.

Kaikoura's tourism industry fears for the future after this week's quake raised the seabed by at least a metre.

Civil Defence said the national support effort will continue tomorrow following Monday morning's 7.5 magnitude earthquake near Kaikoura.

Vital supplies are being flown in as Kaikoura has less than 24 hours of drinking water left.

Most phone services affected by yesterday's earthquake have now been fixed, Vodafone says.

A mercy mission into rural quake-hit Marlborough has led to donations for farming communities and offers of help.

NO EXAM: John Paul College students Adam Schweizer (left), 17, and Jessica Macdonald, 17, whose chemistry exam was postponed because

Two cattle and a calf which survived yesterday's earthquake should be allowed to retire and live out their days in a sanctuary, animal rights group Peta says.

Source: Facebook: NZ Farming.

Red Cross is providing psychological support to communities affected by this week's earthquake, as people prepare to spend another night in welfare centres.

Join Tristram Clayton as he talks to Newstalk ZB's political reporter Barry Soper for the latest update from Wellington.

St John is standing down its National Crisis Co-ordination Centre (NCCC) overnight, however a national on-call team will remain available.

Police investigating looting during yesterday's quake evacuations say eight burglaries took place and they have stepped up patrols since then.

The ground heaved and trees cracked - rescued tourists caught up in the North Canterbury quake tell their stories to Chris Morris.

Tourism operators say there have been no reports of cancellations following the earthquakes but the industry is in damage control because of potential damage to NZ's image.

The probability of another huge quake over magnitude 7 in the next 24 hours has been put at 4 per cent - but at 14 per cent in the next week and 22 per cent across the next 30 days.

ANZ has announced an assistance package for customers impacted by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Monday night.

LIVE BLOG: US warship on its way to Kaikoura as aftershocks continue to shake the North Canterbury region.

WATCH: When Ben Todd saw water rising towards his family home he knew there was only one thing to do.

As a Wellingtonian you know you're living in a very hip city that's destined to one day go "poof" in a puff of concrete dust, writes Polly Gillespie.

Hunting and Fishing's Anton Evans remains stoic despite the damage and his business grinding to a hault.

Newlyweds Edward and Lesley-Anne were staying positive despite being in the thick of earthquakes and after shocks in Kaikoura