Rescuers were on the verge of recovering bodies from the Christchurch Cathedral's collapsed spire last night, after 10 painstaking days spent securing the fragile structure.

Downtown Auckland was a good place to be at 12.51pm on Tuesday.

It's the only time I saw a policeman cry. Acts of kindness can do that.

Marcel Mihulka had carefully planned a romantic candlelit proposal at a hot spa overlooking Queenstown's Shotover River.

The intensity of shaking during last week's quake was unprecedented in New Zealand for its Richter magnitude, says an engineering expert.

What is staggering about the Christchurch earthquake is the way it seems to keep getting bigger.

Politicians, industry bodies and celebrities have been urging tourists to keep coming, with the message NZ is open for business.

Stories, tips, advice for Christchurch small business rebuilding after the earthquake.

Earthquake victim Shane Tomlin was today farewelled at the St Paul's on the Hill Church in Kaikoura.

Prime Minister John Key visited Christchurch's hard-hit eastern suburbs today to try and reassure residents they have not been forgotten.

Earthquake victim Shane Tomlin, whose family clung to hope after footage of him pulled from the rubble alive was broadcast around the world, was farewelled this afternoon at a church overlooking the ocean in his family hometown of Kaikoura.

People all around New Zealand are showing their support for Canterbury today, by dressing in black and red.

The search of the Pyne Gould building in Christchurch's CBD is over but work on the CTV, Cathedral and Forsyth Barr buildings is continuing.

Police have officially released the names of seven more people who died in the February 22 Christchurch earthquake. The death toll now stands at 163.

Half of Christchurch's heritage buildings are in danger of demolition after assessments showing they have severe earthquake damage.