When Christchurch man Nicholas Antonio McGregor was caught burgling a liquor store on the day of the 6.3 magnitude quake, he suggested the store manager just rely on his insurance to cover the losses.

The Civil Defence is working to stem flooding near the Avon River mouth to the estuary in Christchurch this morning.

A central Christchurch building is being demolished after it was damaged further by a 5.3 magnitude aftershock yesterday, but early indications suggest the city has escaped significant new damage, authorities say.

Another 123 buildings in Christchurch have been approved by Civil Defence for demolition or partial demolition - or are required to be made safe, bringing the total to 307.

The jobs of almost 380 Ballantynes staff appear more secure following the news the Christchurch branch may be able to reopen later this year.

Workers have been thrown "on the scrap heap" by a redundancy offer from the owners of the earthquake-damaged Christchurch Casino, a union representative has claimed. But Prime Minister John Key said casino management were doing everything

Police patrols are keeping a high level of security in the cordoned off areas of central Christchurch.

Authorities in Christchurch have announced at least 184 buildings in the Christchurch CBD will require major work - including demolition.

Handwritten letters from students in Feilding have warmed the hearts of emergency service workers in quake-stricken Christchurch.