Devastated shop owners in Christchurch had to flee as aftershocks interrupted their damage checks.

The growing number of sightseers in central Christchurch are putting themselves and others in danger, say police.

Thousands of Canterbury residents will probably have to keep boiling water until the end of the week to minimise the risk of disease after Saturday's earthquake.

An estimated 5000 uninsured homes damaged in the Christchurch earthquake will have to make a case of "true hardship" to be considered for financial help.

The economic impact of the earthquake will be sharply negative in the near term but probably positive for GDP over a longer period, economists say.

Two families at a welfare centre in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood are battling gastroenteritis with health authorities concerned the infection was due to contaminated water.

Tracking today's events as they happen on Day Three of the Christchurch earthquake disaster.

John Key today said an estimated 100,000 homes were damaged by Saturday's 7.1-magnitude earthquake - nearly half of all dwellings in the Canterbury region.

In Christchurch, everyone has a story to tell. When the quake hit at 4.30am on Saturday, many turned to social media. Read their stories.

This afternoon's 4.5 magnitude aftershock has pushed a number of damaged Christchurch buildings over the edge, including one housing a leading radio news network.

Many central city businesses cannot open until the damage from the earthquake is fully assessed, and some workers are worried about losing pay.

The Christchurch earthquake is expected to provide a much-needed lifeline for NZ's beleaguered construction sector.

Saturday's earthquake could prove to be the tipping point for some businesses already squeezed by the recession, a Christchurch business leader says.

A severe heavy rain and gale weather warning is in place for much of the country as widespread flooding affects farmers.

There have been nearly 5,000 insurance claims made already as a result of the Christchurch earthquake, says the Earthquake Commission. Here's how to make a claim.

About 60 streets across Christchurch are still without water this morning as aftershocks continue to shake the city after Saturday's earthquake.

The emotional trauma of the Christchurch earthquake may not surface for weeks or even months, says a psychologist.

Cabinet will today meet to get an early overview of the damage caused by the Canterbury earthquake, and John Key says the bill outside private insurance and Earthquake Commission funding will be large.

One upside of the Christchurch earthquake is that nature has unleashed the biggest job creation scheme NZ has seen.