Latest FromMinistry of Civil Defence
![Quake: Outrage over penthouse crane visit](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Quake: Outrage over penthouse crane visit
A high profile property investor who was able to hire a crane to get car keys and clothes from his 13th floor penthouse has angered central Christchurch business owners...
![Christchurch earthquake: No, minister - shaky start to quake plan](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Christchurch earthquake: No, minister - shaky start to quake plan
Man tipped to head recovery body won't work with Brownlee, broadcaster says
![Tsunami fears for Auckland coast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Tsunami fears for Auckland coast
A "worst-case scenario" tsunami for Auckland would swamp the Viaduct and make Devonport an island, a council report shows.
![Most of Christchurch CBD now accessible](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Most of Christchurch CBD now accessible
More than 510 businesses, or 2000 people, have been granted access to buildings within the cordoned area.
![Civil Defence discusses CBD access with business groups](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Civil Defence discusses CBD access with business groups
Civil Defence has met key business groups to discuss concerns over access to Christchurch's quake-ravaged CBD.
![Christchurch buildings demolished without owners' knowledge](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Christchurch buildings demolished without owners' knowledge
More than 10 per cent of buildings demolished in Christchurch following last month's quake were levelled without the knowledge of their owners.
![Christchurch CBD business owners 'still in limbo'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Christchurch CBD business owners 'still in limbo'
A group of about 30 Christchurch business people protesting over not being allowed into their CBD businesses have met with Civil Defence officials this afternoon after angry protesters broke through the red zone cordons yesterday.
![Civil Defence could have done more - Carter](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Civil Defence could have done more - Carter
Civil Defence could have communicated better with frustrated business owners in Christchurch, its minister John Carter says.
![Heavy rain could cause flooding tonight and tomorrow](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Heavy rain could cause flooding tonight and tomorrow
People in northern and eastern areas of the North Island are being advised to take precautions as heavy rains threaten to sweep across those regions tonight and tomorrow, with a possibility of flooding in coastal and low-lying areas.
!['It's just the scale of it - it's unbelievable"](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
'It's just the scale of it - it's unbelievable"
Prince William was today stunned by the damage in quake-hit Christchurch, where he thanked Civil Defence and USAR workers for their "stirling" efforts.
![Prince William thanks Civil Defence workers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Prince William thanks Civil Defence workers
Prince William has thanked civil defence workers for the "wonderful" job they are doing in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake.
![Prince William stunned by earthquake damage](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Prince William stunned by earthquake damage
Prince William has been stunned by the scale of devastation inflicted by last month's earthquake in Christchurch, after touring the "red zone" in the central city this afternoon.
![Christchurch businesses get first look behind CBD cordon](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Christchurch businesses get first look behind CBD cordon
About 30 Christchurch business owners were given the chance this morning to retrieve what they could from their premises inside the cordon around the most quake-damaged parts of the central city.
![No more bodies likely to be found in Christchurch](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
No more bodies likely to be found in Christchurch
It is unlikely more bodies will be found in quake-ravaged central Christchurch but the confirmed death toll is still expected to climb as the coroner works on identifying individuals from badly damaged remains, police say.
![Christchurch thoughts with Japan - Parker](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Christchurch thoughts with Japan - Parker
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says the thoughts of his quake-stricken city are with Japan following Friday's magnitude 9.0 earthquake which devastated much of the country and left thousands dead.
![Christchurch schools open as refugees return home](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=798)
Christchurch schools open as refugees return home
Christchurch is getting ready for the return of up to 60,000 residents with 110 schools also set to reopen this morning.