Timaru has grown by 20 per cent as 7000 traumatised quake survivors shift down.

English confident of return to surplus, but spending limits will have to stay.

A man who rescued two of his children from a house fire last night was lucky to escape with only burns to his hand, the Fire Service says.

State house tenants would face eviction if a review decided they no longer needed public housing, under a proposed Govt plan.

The Govt has opened its first 'simple house', its answer to streamlining the design and build process for first-time buyers.

The Government hopes it will be able to give thousands of Canterbury property owners in the worst earthquake-hit areas some idea of what the future holds by the middle of next week.

The Govt hopes a new state house will be a heartening example for first-home owners.

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker says the city has moved from a state of emergency "to a state of urgency" and significant problems remain.

Victims of Saturday's earthquake share their stories of survival.

The Govt will increasingly look to charity to fund low-cost housing as it moves towards restricting state housing, the Housing Minister says.

Increased participation by non govt organisations is needed to address a growing shortage of affordable housing, a report has found.