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 is getting ready for the return of up to 60,000 residents with 110 schools also set to reopen this morning.

Thousands are expected to return to Christchurch as schools reopen.

Kiwis' nerves fray after a tsunami alert and an earthquake off Tonga.

Recent events have many asking what science is doing to forewarn us of major earthquakes.

The tsunami has reached North Cape, Raoul Island, Great Barrier Island, East Cape and Tauranga.

As many as 6000 New Zealanders could be in quake-stricken Japan, says New Zealand's ambassador there.

Civil Defence has issued a marine tsunami warning for New Zealand after a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck Japan early tonight, NZ time, but says it does not expect it to pose a threat for people on land.

Civil Defence says there is a potential threat of a tsunami reaching New Zealand after a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck Japan tonight, NZ time, but it has not issued an official warning yet.

Police have this evening named six more people who died in last month's Canterbury earthquake, taking the total names released to 103.

A decision on the safest way to demolish the Hotel Grand Chancellor in central Christchurch is expected in the next few days.

A proposed public walk through the earthquake-devastated Christchurch city centre has been called off due to safety concerns.

Police have this afternoon named 14 more people who died in last month's Canterbury earthquake, bringing the total number of victims police have named to 97. The official death toll remains at 166.

A proposed public walk-through of the devastated Christchurch city centre has been labelled "grotesque" and has raised concerns priority earthquake response work might be passed over.

Police today released the names of six more people who died in Christchurch's February 22, magnitude 6.3 earthquake, while Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced 110 schools in the region will have reopened by next week.

Missing people are still being reported nearly two weeks after the Christchurch earthquake, police say.

A Christchurch antiques dealer is appealing to authorities to help save his valuable collection before his store is bulldozed.

The national state of emergency imposed after last month's devastating earthquake will be extended today and is likely to be in place for some time, Prime Minister John Key says.

Tears flowing down his cheeks, burly Canterbury mechanic Keith Mackie was trying to explain that life's basic necessities have been forgotten.