A Dutch tourist waiting to be evacuated from Kaikoura says the people of the earthquake-damaged-town are her heroes.

Prime Minister John Key said several world leaders had contacted him about the earthquakes, including an attempt by US President-elect Donald Trump.

Tourists endure rough night in welfare centre and cars but rescue flights under way today.

Predicting large earthquakes is not as simple as looking to the moon or watching the pet cat. A post online predicting an earthquake

Wellington CBD is open for business, but workers should check with their employers before heading into town for work.

JS141116NADQUAKE115.JPG A planned surf lesson for a group of international students at Sandy Bay went ahead yesterday after instructors

An English couple was brought to tears describing their nightmare New Zealand holiday.

The HMNZS Canterbury is expected to arrive in Kaikoura tomorrow.

Public transport is running again in Wellington today and some roads in the South Island should start to reopen.

Three cows left standing on an island of land have drawn international attention.

Once again the worst of circumstances brings out the best in New Zealanders.

Thousands of people remained trapped in Kaikoura last night without water, sewerage systems and phone reception after a massive quake struck South Island.

Herald journalist Andrew Stone describes the terrifying aftermath of the quake.

The evacuation, via sea, of tourists stranded in Kaikoura is still a day away.

Their ceiling has collapsed, there is no running water or power, every bottle, glass and plate in their restaurant is broken - and a bottle of pinot noir has already been opened.

As the dust was settling, it was becoming clear how good fortune had touched many. It was also apparent the damage caused.

HMNZS Canterbury is sailing to Kaikoura loaded with aid supplies and will bring back tourists and residents.

Most of Spark's South Island broadband and landline network is hanging by a thread. A cable running along the island's east coast

A cluster of sharp aftershocks have rattled people around the country this evening, including three "severe" quakes near Seddon and another by Kaikoura.

A historic homestead is in tatters and the four other properties on a north Canterbury sheep and beef farm were damaged in today's

A 100-year-old woman pulled alive from the rubble of her farmhouse had lived on the homestead for 64 years. Margaret Edgar was asleep

Government forces including transport ship Canterbury will be mobilised to get about 1000 tourists out of earthquake hit Kaikoura.

The 111 emergency line service wasn't switched over when the Spark office, where the calls are handled, was evacuated.

An upgraded 7.5 magnitude earthquake has struck 20km south-east of Hanmer Springs.

It was one of the biggest earthquakes in NZ for years. So this gamer can perhaps be forgiven for freaking out while accidentally live-streaming the disaster.

New Zealand shares rose, led by companies that stand to benefit from earthquake repairs such as Fletcher Building and Metro Performance Glass.

A Wellington resident is "terrified" after her bedroom ceiling collapsed on her and her boyfriend during this morning's earthquake.

The Clarence River has burst its banks, with residents being told to move to high ground immediately, as aftershocks continue to rock the country.

Mark Fletcher was driving a 50-tonne truck towards Wellington when he found himself struggling to keep it in a straight line. "I