The Government is closely watching AMI Insurance which has reportedly had its $1b of capital and reinsurance cover wiped out by the two Canterbury quakes. Bill English is holding a press conference at 10am.

Nick Regos writes on tragedy and the urgent urban planning opportunity it offers.

Hiroko Tamano was in Kobe 15 years ago when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck, killing 6400 people.

The minimum $190 per week rent for a Government-supplied campervan in earthquake-hit Christchurch is affordable, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

Prime Minister John Key said the Government has more spending to come, pointing at an EQC net cost estimate of $1.5b for the latest quake.

A $1.7 billion higher-than-forecast deficit points to the fiscal challenges the Government faces in its May budget, Prime Minister John Key says.

Police have named a woman who died in Christchurch's February 22 earthquake, bringing the total of number of names released to 170.

The 'To Christchurch With Love' fundraising concert was held in Auckland on Saturday night.

Did the government 'drag out' Christchurch's anxious wait unnecessarily long?

The quake-damaged Christchurch casino which has been closed since February 22 could reopen at a different site. Staff today were given the stark choice of taking redundancy or unpaid leave.

Police patrols are keeping a high level of security in the cordoned off areas of central Christchurch.