A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck Christchurch at 9.30am today.

The Reserve Bank expects global reinsurers to pass on their mounting cost of the Canterbury earthquakes to their customers, with another round of hikes to their premiums.

New Zealand small and medium-sized firms are highly unprepared for a future crisis similar to the Christchurch earthquakes, a study has found.

Christchurch's Student Volunteer Army - created to respond to the city's devastating earthquakes - is this evening being presented the RSA's prestigious Anzac of the Year award, the first time the honour has been given to non-military personnel.