Demolition work is being carried out on around 100 buildings in quake-stricken Christchurch's central business district red zone, but there is much to do and safety is top priority, says CERA.

62 parties have expressed interest in making submissions to the inquiry into why so many buildings were destroyed by the Canterbury earthquakes.

Quake-ravaged Canterbury and Auckland are clearly the two major infrastructural challenges facing New Zealand.

Rates across the country could rise due to increased insurance bills in the wake of the Christchurch quakes.

People living near rivers and streams in the Tasman District should be prepared for a rapid rise in water levels overnight, with heavier falls forecast to continue, Civil Defence says.