John Banks and Andrew Williams nearly came to blows at a fiery Super City candidates meeting in a North Shore church hall.

The first round of quake-affected businesses signed up to the Government's wage assistance package will see money in the bank tomorrow.

Stephen Wilce, head of the Defence Technology Agency and NZ's chief defence scientist, has quit over allegations he falsified his CV.

Companies will be required to have an NZ-resident director or local agent to prevent locally registered companies being involved in international criminal activity, says Commerce Minister Simon Power.

The battle to win $1.8b of government money now features in TV advertisements - although I imagine many watching them will be left scratching their heads.

When the tremors return, residents at one Christchurch rest home band together with cups of tea and company.

One of NZ's top Defence officials is under investigation after it was alleged he told "massive porkies" - including that he was an Olympian - and embellished his CV.

At least 22 commercial properties and 50 homes in the small quake-damaged North Canterbury town of Kaiapoi have been deemed unsafe, with its mayor admitting the town is changed forever.

Most schools in the quake-devastated Canterbury region are not likely to open until Monday, the Education Minister says.

The final bill for the Christchurch earthquake may reach $4 billion, almost double initial estimates, Treasury Secretary John Whitehead said afternoon.

Aftershocks are continuing to hit Canterbury with one measuring 4.1 the latest in a series today that also included a 5.1.

Mayor Bob Parker says Christchurch city is coping "amazingly well" with the continuing fall-out from Saturday morning's earthquake.