Two heritage buildings in central Christchurch are likely to be demolished this afternoon due to quake damage, the city council says.

Welfare staff are unable to contact thousands of solo pensioners in Canterbury and the Government is urging anyone looking after them to get in touch.

John Key has cancelled his scheduled trip to Europe in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake.

Supermarket chains are counting millions of dollars in damaged stock as they ship in groceries to cover shortages and access lost to distribution centres.

Hiring intentions as measured by Manpower's quarterly employment outlook survey have plateaued as employers hold off on growth plans.

If you only have a minute and you want today's need-to-know earthquake news at a glance, this is the page for you.

Aftershocks rocking Christchurch have damaged an earthquake welfare centre and forced its closure.

Women's shoe retailer Kumfs is rebranding this month to engage a younger audience and increase overseas sales, its managing director says.

The average NZer is spending $45 less a week than before the recession in a bid to wipe out debt and inject equity into their homes.

Dairy owners say they should have the same rights as supermarkets when it comes to selling alcohol.

NZ's premier shopping district could be losing its shine, with high numbers of shops forced to close and others selling almost nothing.