Stranded tourists are drinking and partying through the night causing grief for locals, says MP.

More homes have been evacuated in Kaikoura after a potential landslide risk was detected.

Lying on the ground next to Kaikoura Highschool's gymnasium wall was a pile of fractured concret bricks.

"We are expecting a difficult crossing tomorrow so we're making sure everyone is well refreshed and rested."

The Defence Force has now evacuated more than 800 people from Kaikoura.

Warships from Australia, Canada and the United States have arrived in Kaikoura to help with disaster relief efforts.

Eight properties in Marlborough have been identified as being too badly damaged to be entered.

Whale Watch Kaikoura is overwhelmed by the support they have received following a temporary closure after Monday's quake.

New concerns that heavy rain could bring flooding to the east coast of the South Island.

An alternative inland route for ferry traffic has been established running from Picton to Christchurch, via Murchison and the Lewis Pass.

Power, water and road access is slowly being restored to earthquake-hit areas of the South Island as crews work around the clock.

Businesses in quake-hit areas will be paid to keep on staff for at least eight weeks, the Govt says.

Strong aftershocks continue.

A truck driver has described the inland road into Kaikoura as being like Russian roulette.

Kaikoura locals are beginning to join the exodus out of their quake ravaged settlement. With 1000 tourists successfully evacuated

Geologists find previously unknown faultlines surface after Monday's 7.8 quake.

Trapped between two slips and cut off from news of the outside world, traumatised evacuees from Kaikoura tell their stories.

Tourists and locals arrived in Christchurch after long night aboard Navy ship.

Brits evacuated from the quake zone grateful to the people of Kaikoura.

The Government is being urged to fund an around-the-clock monitoring and warning system for earthquakes and tsunamis in New Zealand.

Comments by Destiny Church leader Bishop Brian Tamaki outrage rainbow community advocate and human rights commissioner.

Prime Minister John Key has promised fast-track help to keep Kaikoura businesses on their feet.

The change means aftershocks may be larger in magnitude for a longer period of time.

It was a day of rescuing travellers stranded in Kaikoura and reassuring those left behind as the PM dropped in to survey the scene in Kaikoura today.

The PM and Kaikoura's mayor have dismissed Brain Tamaki's comments blaming the devastating earthquakes on "gays, murderers and sinners".

West Coast police today advised motorists to take extra care when driving through the Lewis Pass and Maruia Valley on SH7 and SH65 as traffic numbers build up.

Employers whose staff are struggling to cope following Monday's earthquake are being given advice on how to best support their employees.

Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki has blamed earthquakes on gays, sinners, and murderers.

The latest earthquake again prompted reports of animals behaving strangely just before the main shock hit. What does science say?

New aerial photos show there is much work to be done after Monday's 7.8 quake.