A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Antarctica, generating large waves but causing no injuries, seismic experts at Argentina's Orcadas base in Antarctica say.

Hawkes Bay residents were jolted by an earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale, just before 10am this morning.

Napier property owners given a year to get earthquake risk assessments on their buildings are likely to have the deadline extended another two years because there aren't enough structural engineers to do the work.

Disaster tourism in Christchurch's worst-hit eastern suburbs has been slammed by residents as totally insensitive and exploitative, new research shows.

A lawyer is before the legal profession's disciplinary body for allegedly settling a client's claim without his permission.

Christchurch was shaken awake by a magnitude 3.5 earthquake this morning.

Post-earthquake demand for free legal service at Community Law Canterbury has skyrocketed, making the legal centre the biggest of its kind in the country.

Meet the carboot lawyer who wings in and out of Christchurch with a huge caseload on behalf of desperate quake-struck homeowners.

A powerful earthquake struck the steep hills of China's southwestern Sichuan province, leaving over 150 people dead and more than 5,500 injured.