Key: Earthquake 'does not lessen our resolve'

Prime Minister John Key says a local emergency may be declared after the latest Christchurch earthquakes. Photo / NZPA/Pam Johnson

New Zealanders feel Christchurch's pain after the latest devastating quakes to strike the city, Prime Minister John Key says.

He pledged the city would be rebuilt.

About 10 people were injured and some buildings damaged in the 5.5 and 6.0 magnitude quakes this afternoon. The quakes come after the February 22 quake which killed 181 people and one last September which caused severe damage.

"It's another blow to the Christchurch residents who have already endured so much," Mr Key said.

"However today's events in no way weaken the Government's long term commitment to rebuild Christchurch and surrounding areas."

Mr Key said he had spoken to Mayor Bob Parker, who is considering whether to call a local emergency. Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee would be flying from Wellington to Christchurch as soon as was possible.

Mr Key said at this stage the situation was "not considered serious enough" for a national state of emergency to be imposed.

The quakes were a "setback" and saw further damage to the central business district, to the eastern suburbs, with power again knocked out and water and waste systems damaged.

"But it does not lessen our resolve to rebuild. People of Christchurch should know that all New Zealanders are thinking of them and will continue to support and standby them at this very difficult time."

Mr Key said residents were concerned and upset and that would be the biggest effect from today.

"For the people of Christchurch I am sure they just want this to end," he said.

"I am sure they are over all of this and they want a sense of normality to return and I think we can all feel their frustration. But they've got to know that we stand beside them, that we are totally committed to rebuilding the city and I am sure these aftershocks will eventually settle down and normality will return, it's a very frustrating time for the people of Christchurch."

The continuing aftershocks were draining.

"My heart really goes out to them because they've had now an awful lot of aftershocks and this has been going on for nine months or so."

School would again be disrupted and households have to pick up the pieces and dig liquefaction from their homes and yards.

"That saps away the confidence of the people of Christchurch."

However he said they were stoic people who would regroup.

Mr Key said the quakes were likely to be treated as new events for insurance purposes and he had been assured that the Earthquake Commission (EQC) had already obtained sufficient reinsurance. The Government had also provisioned enough in the budget, he said.

Announcements about which areas were not able to be rebuilt should still be made soon, but areas that had been cleared for rebuilding may need to be reassessed.

Mr Key said on the Mercalli scale, which measures the intensity of earthquakes, the 6 magnitude quake recorded eight out of 12 while the February 22nd quake was a 9 out of 12.

"It's a very violent shock."

- NZPA