Son reeling after family home containing all of late father's belongings razed.

Civil Defence minister wants the law governing emergencies improved.

A quieter night for firefighters as the deadly Port Hills wildfire enters its fifth day.

Watch: The wildfire races across a section of the Port HIlls, growing in intensity, in the timelapse footage.

Civil Defence's reports of houses destroyed by fire and evacuations over the past 24 hours have varied wildly.

A Christchurch couple who were told that their home was lost in the Port Hills blaze, just hours after finally insuring it, appear to have had a lucky escape.

Exactly how many properties have been damaged by fires in Christchurch will not be known until much later, authorities say. And although

Firefighters have put out a large blaze at a Waikato sandblasting premises this evening.

The gorse, grass and pines on the Port Hills are ideal plants to fuel the wildfires sweeping through the area.

While the cause of the Port Hills fires was being investigated, it did "seem a bit odd" that two fires had started at about the same time, says the Prime Minister.

The Canterbury DHB and the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation have issued warnings about smoke inhalation for those affected by the Port Hills fires.

Kiwis are showing their support for those affected by the Port Hills fire and the firefighters working to put it out by making a statement

The ongoing firefighting effort includes 15 helicopters and planes - the maximum number that can safely be in the air at any one time.

With a raging wild fire surrounding the Christchurch Adventure Park, the future is uncertain for the fledgling business.

Contact the SPCA if you need a temporary home for a fire-evacuated pet

Cameraman says Sugarloaf seems to be the hottest part of the fire.

Employers need to be flexible and allow staff to tend to their families and properties in the wake of the Port Hills fire.

Chaos and cordons as evacuated locals try to find out how their homes survived the night.

Lianne Dalziel says rubberneckers aren't helping and people need to 'stay at a distance' from the fires.

Rubberneckers are being warned to stay away from Christchurch's Port Hills.

Smoking piles of earth, blackened trees, scorched earth and collapsed fencelines are the visible signs that remain of the Waimarama

In the midst of the raging inferno enveloping Christchurch's picturesque Port Hills, came a new life.

State of emergency declared as Port Hills' wildfires continued yesterday.

It's been a long night for Christchurch residents. Here's what you need to know first thing this morning.

Christchurch braces for a hot and windy day as wildfires continue to wreak havoc.

Paul Askin has spent years fearing terrible news about his son Steve. On Tuesday, that moment came when the chopper pilot died fighting Christchurch's fires.

Evacuated family reveal the panicked scene of scared, fleeing families.

Hundreds of people are offering beds, blankets and home baking to those who have been displaced by the fires.

More than 1000 residents have fled their homes as a huge fire rages on in Christchurch.

Civil Defence minister questions the emergency response to the Port Hills fires, which have destroyed five houses and caused hundreds to flee.