Insurance companies all but stopped writing new cover in Christchurch in the wake of the February 22 earthquake.

How one Greek takeaway realised the value of customer service.

Owner of public relations company Communicate IT Shelley Grell has found the February quake has uncovered a fault of another sort altogether.

Lyttelton resident and property developer Janet Stott thinks the rebuild of the shattered town will embrace sustainability as people move toward a lower energy lifestyle.

The economy will now barely grow at all in 2011, because of a "noxious mix" of spiking global petrol and food prices along with the impact of the second Christchurch earthquake, says NZIER.

John Key indicated last night that Earthquake Commission levies could triple because of the damage caused by the Christchurch earthquake.

Standard & Poor's Rating Services says the government is likely to be called on to fund claims from the Christchurch earthquake.

If increased levies are needed to replenish Earthquake Commission funds then the Government would consider it, Prime Minister John Key says.

Smashing his way into his devastated home today, Christchurch man Ed Langston appeared somewhat resigned to having lost his house and business in Tuesday's deadly earthquake.

Credit rating companies say there is no immediate need to change the credit ratings of insurers because of the Christchurch earthquake but Moody's Investors Service said ratings pressure may develop over time on the banking sector.

All Christchurch AMI Insurance branches have been forced to close due to quake damage.

IAG, the ASX-listed insurer that owns State Insurance and NZI, says the latest earthquake will cost it up to A$40 million.

New Zealand insurers face rate increases of more than 10 per cent for the renewal of their insurance this year, as Canterbury earthquake bill continues to mount.