Hundreds of Afghanis who fled their home country have become refugees again - this time from Christchurch.

After two days of hot weather, the reeking sewage-laden silt has dried and the wind sends its dust billowing out.

Jett Mitchell hadn't slept in his own bed since the September earthquake and was receiving counselling on the fifth floor of the Canterbury Television building when the quake struck Christchurch.

It will take more than 10 years to rebuild Christchurch, says acting Economic Development Minister David Carter.

Applications for financial support following last week's deadly Christchurch quake are flooding in.

Adventurer and wild man Bear Grylls, in New Zealand filming an episode of his television series, has paid tribute to the Kiwi spirit.

A week on from the quake, Christchurch people tell their stories to Christchurch Star reporters...

Blogger Peter Hyde says there are now three cities within earthquake-hit Christchurch, and one of them - where many people live - is being neglected by the media.

Canterbury DHB chief executive David Meates has invoked memories of Hurricane Katrina to justify evacuating hundreds of elderly out of the Christchurch in the wake of last week's earthquake.

John Key says his "strong preference" is to hold Rugby World Cup games in Christchurch, and says it's still possible if AMI Stadium is fit for matches.

Temporary toilets are deemed assets of importance so Civil Defence has to co-ordinate where they are placed in quake-hit Christchurch.

The Accident Compensation Corporation's bill from the Christchurch earthquake has been put at $370 million, says ACC Minister Nick Smith.

James Murdoch stood with his arms folded and watched grimly as years of hard work was torn down in front of him.

Christchurch-based band The Eastern are about to tour makeshift backyard stages in the city's quake-hit suburbs.

Face masks are being handed out as strong wind gusts lift tonnes of dust as high as lamp posts and spread the smell of sewage around Christchurch.

Police have officially released the names of three more victims of last Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Christchurch.

Workers at the devastated Pyne Gould Corporation building in central Christchurch paused work early this morning for an emotional karakia, police say.

As eight-month-old Jayden Harris is laid to rest today, a trust named in his honour will look to help other children with head injuries.

Plenty of ideas and plans have been floated to try to ensure the Christchurch is rebuilt. Here are 10 proposals doing the rounds.

In her heart Holly White knew nobody could survive a four-storey building of bricks, concrete and steel falling on top of them.

Christchurch people are being warned to wear face masks to avoid breathing in earthquake debris dust expected in winds of up to 70km/hr.