Police doing post-quake patrols today came across a man mixing up chemicals to make methamphetamine.

Geotechnology engineers are assessing damage to Christchurch land and are expected to file their reports next week.

A man seriously injured when a chimney fell on him during the Canterbury earthquake has thanked his wife and "heroic neighbours" for saving his life.

Insurers report a surge in inquiries prompted by homeowners' fears they may not be properly covered if a Christchurch-style earthquake hits.

Long diversions remain in place for heavy vehicles travelling on State Highway One south of Kaikoura, after a major slip on Friday night.

Consultancy Planit Associates says the Christchurch earthquake requires a rethink in the way development and urban growth are managed.

Hamish Keith is an arts and social commentator.

Rain has worsened flooding on a Canterbury farm where a river has forked along an earthquake fault line, cutting through the property.

Christchurch schoolchildren have swapped stories of their "holidays" on their first day back from the earthquake.

The Canterbury earthquake will be the most costly natural disaster NZ has faced, John Key said today as the Govt announced new measures to deal with rebuilding ruined homes.

The Government has announced details of legislation to be pushed through Parliament to help speed up the recovery process in quake-devastated Canterbury.

Christchurch's waterways have become contaminated with sewerage and wastewater due to infrastructure damage.

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".

In a disaster, cats head for the hills, but dogs stick around, according to SPCA figures out today.

A looter is being held in custody after admitting breaking into a house damaged in the earthquake.

The Governor-General has expressed his shock over the devastation after last Saturday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Canterbury.

Most Canterbury schools today reopened after the September 4 magnitude 7.1 earthquake, but aftershocks continue.

Gerry Brownlee is having to deal with his own badly damaged house as he works on the Govt's earthquake reconstruction plan.

Dozens of people buying and selling homes in Christchurch face delays as buyers fail to finalise sales, forcing sellers to default on contracts.

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.