More harrowing testimony is expected as a coroner's inquest into the deaths of eight CTV building victims continues today.

The police officer left in charge of the Christchurch earthquake's biggest disaster zone said he became "frustrated" at being ordered off the site as he tried to rescue survivors.

Police today admitted the February 22 earthquake disaster in Christchurch "overwhelmed" their communication system.

Mark Quigley asks: Do scientists have a right to be wrong? Does state-of-the-art science really enable us to speak confidentially about "low-probability" events?

Fire chiefs failed to cope with the February 22 earthquake response, according to a scathing report out today which criticised them for being disorganised.

The Canterbury earthquakes were a chance for many to break out of their mundane existences, a researcher has found.

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck near Taupo this afternoon and was felt along the East Coast of the North Island.

Aftershocks are unlikely after a 5.2 magnitude earthquake rocked much of the central and lower North Island today.

The post-earthquake exodus from Christchurch has bottomed out, according to latest figures which show just 2800 people leaving the wider city area in the last year.

Cantabrians are setting their sights on Hamilton's housing market as they look to spend their newly received insurance payouts from damaged properties.

Quake-stressed Christchurch school children are being given free scenic flights above their decimated neighbourhoods to help take their minds off everyday worries.

Scientists warn that quake-rattled Christchurch faces a 72 per cent probability of being hit by an earthquake measuring between 5 and 5.4 magnitude in the next year.

A pair of massive earthquakes which struck off the coast in Sumatra in April may have triggered quakes around the globe, according to new research.

A quarter of the country registered for a national earthquake drill today, but despite the popularity of the exercise there are no plans to make it an annual event.

The drop, cover and hold message was practised around the country today at 9.26am today, but in Christchurch some laughed at the need to take part in an earthquake drill.

About half of the businesses which left the Christchurch CBD after the Canterbury earthquakes are not likely to return, research has found.

NZ Shakeout 2012 is Wednesday 26th. We should all know what to do in an earthquake, and that's 'drop, cover, hold.' Watch this video as Peter Elliott explains what to do when an earthquake happens. Video courtesy NZGetThru.