A feathery find in the rubble of central Christchurch has become a small symbol of hope for an earthquake-ravaged city.

Migrant communities in Auckland are opening not only their wallets but also their homes to earthquake victims.

The cordoned-off area of central Christchurch may be cut back within the next four days, says a local business leader.

Earthquake survivor Kento Okuda, whose right leg had to be amputated when he was rescued, cannot accept that his friends are dead.

Some of New Zealand's largest infrastructure projects face delay or cancellation as money and resources are diverted to Christchurch.

For hundreds of grim and grimy Cantabrians one simple pleasure was finally accessible today - a shower to at least wash away some of the discomfort a week after an earthquake turned their lives upside down.

Hundreds of mourners have farewelled young father Jaime Gilbert and paid tribute to the selfless actions of two men who tried to save him.

The owners of the Canterbury Television (CTV) building are welcoming a government inquiry into why the building collapsed in the Christchurch quake.

A labour of love is taking shape as the employees of Christchurch earthquake victim Owen Wright craft his coffin from the timbers he loved to turn.

Bellringer John Dunn watched news footage of the earthquake-damaged ChristChurch Cathedral with an overwhelming sense of sadness.

The Govt is not ruling out changes to Working for Families or student loans as it considers how to foot the bill for Christchurch's recovery.

New Zealanders have paid tribute to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake with two minutes' silence marking the moment the disaster struck last week.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says people should not head into the central city to observe the two minutes' silence in honour of the victims of last week's earthquake today. Civil Defence says 154 bodies have now been recovered.

Dean Dunbar lost a teenage son in Pike River mine. Now, after seeing two homes wrecked in the Christchurch earthquakes, he is not taking any chances with his daughter.

Nothing was going to stop Geoff Hadfield going in to get his wife Natasha as her body lay trapped alongside a dead customer in their earthquake-devastated shop.

Teams from across globe touched by city's loss toil side by side amidst rubble.