An Australian searcher who helped remove victims from the earthquake-ravaged Canterbury TV building says bringing closure to families was his way of coping with the devastation.

Teens who struggled to buy tickets won their fight to get their money back after their swimming event in Christchurch was cancelled.

It's the only time I saw a policeman cry. Acts of kindness can do that.

When the roof of the Pyne Gould Corporation building fell in, more than 100 workers were inside.

The intensity of shaking during last week's quake was unprecedented in New Zealand for its Richter magnitude, says an engineering expert.

What is staggering about the Christchurch earthquake is the way it seems to keep getting bigger.

Prime Minister John Key saw for himself today the devastation wrought by last week's earthquake in Christchurch's eastern suburbs and acknowledged the hardship faced by residents.

Prime Minister John Key visited Christchurch's hard-hit eastern suburbs today to try and reassure residents they have not been forgotten.

Earthquake victim Shane Tomlin, whose family clung to hope after footage of him pulled from the rubble alive was broadcast around the world, was farewelled this afternoon at a church overlooking the ocean in his family hometown of Kaikoura.

The search of the Pyne Gould building in Christchurch's CBD is over but work on the CTV, Cathedral and Forsyth Barr buildings is continuing.

Police have officially released the names of seven more people who died in the February 22 Christchurch earthquake. The death toll now stands at 163.

Half of Christchurch's heritage buildings are in danger of demolition after assessments showing they have severe earthquake damage.

Search and rescue crews found two more bodies overnight, lifting the death toll from the February 22 Christchurch earthquake to 163.

With the rescue phase over in Christchurch's central city, authorities are working to restore vital services to the eastern suburbs.

Timaru has grown by 20 per cent as 7000 traumatised quake survivors shift down.

Jeff Sanft was on his way to meet his partner and two young daughters for lunch when the bus he was on was buried under falling debris.

Accommodation providers renting out homes for the Rugby World Cup are clinging to hope that the tournament will still be held in Christchurch.

After 218 hours and nine minutes of desperate searching, hope of finding any survivors among the rubble of downtown Christchurch was officially extinguished.