Tracking today's events as they happen on day ten of the Christchurch earthquake disaster.
7.58pm
Thanks for following our latest updates, join us for ongoing coverage tomorrow. Cheers
5.46pm
Welfare centres in Christchurch are beginning to close their doors as demand for their services dwindle.
Nine days on from the
earthquake, more of those who took refuge in the centres are moving into temporary housing or back into their own homes.
In light of this, the centre at the Addington Racecourse will shut tomorrow and the one at Carl Stadium on Wednesday.
As the cleanup in Christchurch continues, only seven streets still have their water disconnected but sewage issues are ongoing.
Radio New Zealand reports that 10 per cent of Christhchurch's sewage system needs repair work.
5.43pm
The Prime Minister says the Canterbury earthquake is the most expensive natural disaster New Zealand has ever experienced.
Speaking at a post-cabinet press conference this afternoon, John Key said the disaster will cost more than any other disaster before.
Although new costs continue to emerge and Treasury is unsure of what the final costs will be, it estimates the financial toll of the earthquake will be around $4 billion.
5.20pm
Christchurch's waterways have become contaminated with sewerage and wastewater due to infrastructure damage. Canterbury Civil Defence and the Canterbury District Heatlh Board are urging people to avoid contact with the Avon, Heathcote, Halswell and Styx rivers, the estuary and the tidal reaches of the Kaiapoi River.
The public is advised not to drink water, collect fish or shellfish or swim or boat on any of the waterways, and avoid any physical contact with them.
5.06pm
Owners of heritage and historically listed building in Canterbury are being urged to front up at a special meeting in Christchurch tonight.
Mayor Bob Parker says the 7pm meeting at the James Hay theatre has been organised so processes and available assistance can be explained.
He's again reminding owners of historic buildings that unlicensed demolitions carry stiff penalties and they must approach the council for permission.
5.03pm
Normality is resuming in Christchurch following an upbeat briefing from officials in the city this afternoon.
Mayor Bob Parker says there are now fewer than 100 people needing shelter and welfare centres, indicating they may soon close.
He says all water services in the city have been restored.
The military is also reducing its presence, down to 200 personnel from around 370 last week.
Lines company Orion is also upbeat, with all its service operational.
Police and fire say it's pretty much business as usual for them too.
4.33pm
Canterbury residents seeking grants to assist with running festival events around next year's rugby World Cup have been given more time to apply.
There is $9.5 million available in the Festival Lottery Fund, and while the September 17 application deadline remains for other regions, those in Christchurch and surrounding quake-affected areas will have until September 28 to get their applications in, Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy announced today.
"We want to ensure the Canterbury region has enough time to apply for a share of the $9.5 million available, and extending the deadline will help give Cantabrians a fair go," he said.
Mr Guy said Internal Affairs had had over 100 inquiries about the fund and many applications were expected from around the country.
3.40pm
The Waimakariri Mayor is reassuring residents there's still financial support available.
The Kaiapoi and Waimakariri Mayoral Relief Fund has been exhausted after it was set up to help people through the quake's aftermath.
Mayor Ron Keating says it was a short term-measure and there are other providers offering on-going support.
Mr Keating says the amount of support offered in cleaning up his community has been overwhelming.
3pm
Earthquake response co-ordination staff at the regional emergency co-ordination centre in Christchurch welcomed a visit today from the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, and his wife Lady Susan.
Sir Anand expressed his amazement at the damage he had witnessed in Canterbury but also commented on the professionalism of all the people moving the region towards recovery.
2.45pm
GO WEST: Solid Energy has put together an offer to 1000 Cantabrians to take a break from the quake on the West Coast.
Including a scenic train trip and accommodation, the offer is also thanks to KiwiRail, Lyttelton Port of Christchurch and the hoteliers, moteliers and tourism industry of the West Coast. To apply, visit the Solid Energy website or call 0800 825 322.
2.31pm
The South Island's tallest building, The Marque Christchurch hotel, has come through the earthquake virtually unscathed.
The state-of the-art building, which was completed earlier this year, stands 22 storeys tall.
It was engineered to comfortably handle an earthquake of up to double the size of the 7.1 magnitude quake which struck on September 4.
2.00pm
Business software company MYOB has extended an offer of assistance to its Canterbury customers.
1.50pm
E. Coli bacteria has been found in a water sample from Kaiapoi, reinforcing the need for residents to continue to boil water for three minutes before use.
Civil Defence aren't too surprised at the discovery, given the amount of damage to water and wastewater pipes in the area.
E. Coli is a contaminant from human waste which can cause gastroenteritis.
1.40pm
An aftershock measuring 4.2 just after 1pm, situated 10km south-west of Christchurch.
1.20pm
Waimakariri residents are being urged to ensure their homes are safe to live in .
Home-owners should contact the Waimakariri District Council if they have any safety issues or if their house was missed during an initial safety assessment, according to Civil Defence.
1.05pm
This Facebook page has been set up to provide information on what is happening in Canterbury Tourism as the area recovers.
12.35pm
Another aftershock measuring 3.5 on the Richter Scale hit 20km south-west of Christchurch, just after 12 noon today.
Well over 400 small-to-medium tremors have shaken Canterbury since the big one on Saturday Sept 4.
12pm
Since we started seeing those photos taken by parents of their kids standing in the huge cracks in the earth, we chillingly wondered, "but what if .....?".
Now geologists are warning against the stunt.
Engineering geologist Nick Perrin of GNS says it's dangerous. He says an aftershock could trigger liquefaction, which could cause those cracks to suddenly snap shut.
11.50am
In a disaster, cats head for the hills, but dogs stick around, according to SPCA figures out today.
At least 300 animals have been reported missing since Christchurch's big earthquake, the Canterbury SPCA says.
Spokeswoman Stef Saunders said most of those missing were cats, which had taken fright after the quake and hid.
Dogs had tended to be more "clingy" in the aftermath of the quake and remained near people.
10.30am
Microsoft is offering free support to users of their products in Canterbury, who have experienced computer problems since the earthquake. In addition, Microsoft has donated $50k to the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
10.20am
Cantabrians are being urged to steer clear of opportunistic "cowboys", as they seek tradesmen to get repairs done following the region's massive earthquake.
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board today said those affected by the quake could find their insurance policy null and void if they used unlicensed tradespeople to carry out repair work. (NZPA)
10.10am
The aftershocks continue with a magnitude 3.7 recorded 20km south of Darfield, at 9.50am today, GeoNet reports.
9.58am
A Facebook group's been set up to encourage Cantabrians to 'buy local' in Christchurch. Great idea.
9.50am
New legislation to set up an earthquake recovery commission and enable repairs to be done more quickly will be passed by Parliament tomorrow, Prime Minister John Key says.
Cabinet would consider the bill today.
9.30am
Ten Australian trauma counsellors are due to arrive in Christchurch today.
The counsellors, from the Salvation Army, have first-hand tragedy experience - they were part of an initiative to combat suicide and depression after the devastating bushfires in Victoria last year.
9.10am
It will take months to process around 48,000 claims which have been lodged with the Earthquake Commission (EQC) so far after last week's quake in Christchurch - with that number expected to double. Around 5000 of those claims are for property reported to be "uninhabitable".
The EQC is hoping to increase its inspection team in Christchurch from 60 to 400 by next week to get through the claims. (NZPA)
8.55am
Around 300 residents in Kaiapoi and surrounding towns have received cash grants to help them get through in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.
The money has come from the Waimakariri Mayoral Relief Fund, supported by a $100k donation from Mainpower, North Canterbury's electricity company, and other donations.
Immediate cash grants of up to $500 per applicant were available.
8.41am
The South Island's Ham radio (or "Amateur radio", as it's now called) enthusiasts have been active following the Christchurch earthquake and the aftermath, as this report shows.
8.38am
In the days following the earthquake which rocked Christchurch in the early hours of last Saturday morning, more than 27,000 comments were posted on social networking sites like Twitter, as those affected used social media to connect with family and friends, according to Nielsen Research.
8.32am
A welfare centre is open at Cowles Stadium, Pages Rd, Aranui, today to replace the centre at Linwood College. The Addington Welfare Centre remains open.
Welfare Centre queries can be directed to 03-941-8999 or 0800-800-169.
8.26am
The Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre, which was based at the Art Gallery since the earthquake, is now in the Christchurch City Council building at 53 Hereford Street.
The move allows the Art Gallery to open to the public tomorrow.
This from the latest status report on the Christchurch Star website.
8.10am
A magnitude 4.1 aftershock 20 km south-west of Christchurch, just before 8am today, GeoNet reports.
A number of aftershocks have continued in the Canterbury region overnight, but have lessened in magnitude. No further damage has been reported, and seismologists say all aftershocks should start to peter out over the course of this week.
8.05am
Here's an interesting personal account of living through the trauma of last week's earthquake in Christchurch.
8.00am
Most children will be able to return to school in Canterbury today. More than 200 schools will open, leaving only around a dozen in the province still with closed doors.
Christchurch earthquake, <i>Day 10 updates</i>
The historic St Johns church in Hororata, Canterbury. Photo / Getty Images
Tracking today's events as they happen on day ten of the Christchurch earthquake disaster.
7.58pm
Thanks for following our latest updates, join us for ongoing coverage tomorrow. Cheers
5.46pm
Welfare centres in Christchurch are beginning to close their doors as demand for their services dwindle.
Nine days on from the
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