The cordoned-off area of central Christchurch may be cut back within the next four days, says a local business leader.

The devoted wife of a soldier is among the missing in the rubble at the Christchurch Cathedral.

Christchurch people are being warned to wear face masks to avoid breathing in earthquake debris dust expected in winds of up to 70km/hr.

Earthquake survivor Kento Okuda, whose right leg had to be amputated when he was rescued, cannot accept that his friends are dead.

Some of New Zealand's largest infrastructure projects face delay or cancellation as money and resources are diverted to Christchurch.

At 12.51pm yesterday people emerged from homes next to the shattered remains of a row of shops in Merivale and dropped into silence.

Search teams in the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Forsyth Barr, CTV and PGC buildings are facing a variety of challenges in trying to secure the buildings.

Petrol and diesel prices are on the up - but not in Christchurch.

For hundreds of grim and grimy Cantabrians one simple pleasure was finally accessible today - a shower to at least wash away some of the discomfort a week after an earthquake turned their lives upside down.

Hundreds of mourners have farewelled young father Jaime Gilbert and paid tribute to the selfless actions of two men who tried to save him.

The owners of the Canterbury Television (CTV) building are welcoming a government inquiry into why the building collapsed in the Christchurch quake.

Earthquake victims Joe Pohio and Jaime Gilbert were today farewelled at funeral services in Kaiapoi and Christchurch.

A labour of love is taking shape as the employees of Christchurch earthquake victim Owen Wright craft his coffin from the timbers he loved to turn.

Bellringer John Dunn watched news footage of the earthquake-damaged ChristChurch Cathedral with an overwhelming sense of sadness.

The Govt is not ruling out changes to Working for Families or student loans as it considers how to foot the bill for Christchurch's recovery.