Latest FromNatural Disasters
![Canterbury earthquake: Hotels slash room rates](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Canterbury earthquake: Hotels slash room rates
Several Christchurch hotels have slashed room rates in the wake of Christchurch's "horrendous" magnitude 7.1 quake, with one hotel chief saying everybody needed to "chip in".
![Earthquake: E. Coli found in Kaiapoi water sample](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Earthquake: E. Coli found in Kaiapoi water sample
E. Coli has been found in water from Kaiapoi, reinforcing the need for residents to boil their water after last week's earthquake.
![Govt earthquake bill unclear - Brownlee](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Govt earthquake bill unclear - Brownlee
The Govt says it will not know how big its bill for the Canterbury earthquake will be until its Recovery Commission has drafted a recovery plan.
![Canterbury's missing pets](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Canterbury's missing pets
In a disaster, cats head for the hills, but dogs stick around, according to SPCA figures out today.
![Earthquake looter admits break-in](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Earthquake looter admits break-in
A looter is being held in custody after admitting breaking into a house damaged in the earthquake.
![Governor-General tours earthquake zone](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Governor-General tours earthquake zone
The Governor-General has expressed his shock over the devastation after last Saturday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Canterbury.
![Christchurch schools open after earthquake](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Christchurch schools open after earthquake
Most Canterbury schools today reopened after the September 4 magnitude 7.1 earthquake, but aftershocks continue.
![Quake assignment turns into two jobs for Gerry Brownlee](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Quake assignment turns into two jobs for Gerry Brownlee
Gerry Brownlee is having to deal with his own badly damaged house as he works on the Govt's earthquake reconstruction plan.
![Christchurch quake leaves house sales in limbo](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Christchurch quake leaves house sales in limbo
Dozens of people buying and selling homes in Christchurch face delays as buyers fail to finalise sales, forcing sellers to default on contracts.
![Earthquake shelters tell of gangs, theft - and great helpers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Earthquake shelters tell of gangs, theft - and great helpers
Christchurch earthquake-shelter residents say they have had to deal with gangs, drug searches and theft as they enter their second week displaced from their homes.
![Owners can try to fight demolition rulings](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Owners can try to fight demolition rulings
Owners of Christchurch historic buildings will be able to fight demolition rulings that their earthquake-damaged properties are dangerous and insanitary.
![Flooding and animal sickness hit farmers after Canterbury earthquake](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Flooding and animal sickness hit farmers after Canterbury earthquake
Weary Canterbury farmers picking themselves up from days of earthquakes and aftershocks face new threats.
![Christchurch earthquake, <i>Day 9 updates</i>](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Christchurch earthquake, <i>Day 9 updates</i>
A big aftershock rocked Christchurch this morning. Read latest updates here.
![Christchurch earthquake: Recovery could take years](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Christchurch earthquake: Recovery could take years
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says Christchurch will take years to return to normal.
![Anderton presses on with mayoral bid](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Anderton presses on with mayoral bid
Jim Anderton has announced he will stand down as MP for Wigram if he wins the Christchurch mayoralty, in light of the challenges presented by last week's earthquake.
![Hundreds at Cathedral earthquake mass](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Hundreds at Cathedral earthquake mass
About 400 people today gathered in Christchurch's Cathedral Square for the Cathedral's first mass since last week's earthquake.
![Christchurch earthquake: Pregnant and homeless](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Christchurch earthquake: Pregnant and homeless
A bewildered and pregnant Renee Rushton is living in a Christchurch holiday park after last week's earthquake.
![Christchurch earthquake victims ask: When will it stop?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Christchurch earthquake victims ask: When will it stop?
As Christchurch tries to make sense of the earthquake destruction, a child questions how much 'braveness' she has left.
![Christchurch earthquake: 102-year-old Mavis wanted to stay put](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=799)
Christchurch earthquake: 102-year-old Mavis wanted to stay put
Mavis Pattison didn't want to leave her home.