New Zealanders have paid tribute to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake with two minutes' silence marking the moment the disaster struck last week.

Former league internationals from both sides of the Tasman will take the field next week to raise funds for victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

People all around New Zealand observed two minutes silence at 12.51pm today, exactly one week after the 6.3-magnitude quake hit Christchurch.

Last week's 6.3 magnitude earthquake unearthed a time capsule under the toppled statue of one of Canterbury's founding fathers, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said today.

The death toll from the Christchurch earthquake is likely to be about 240, police say.

The family of missing Canterbury Television (CTV) personality Donna Manning are "holding onto hope" that she will be returned to them.

Mr Parkin was working at the Southern Ink Tattoo studio on Colombo St when last week's quake struck. His apprentice Matti McEachen was killed as the building collapsed and another staffer, Bonnie Singh, managed to crawl to safety with

Rescuers and locals forge on with their efforts to save and rebuild Christchurch after the quake tore down the city.

The economy will now barely grow at all in 2011, because of a "noxious mix" of spiking global petrol and food prices along with the impact of the second Christchurch earthquake, says NZIER.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says people should not head into the central city to observe the two minutes' silence in honour of the victims of last week's earthquake today. Civil Defence says 154 bodies have now been recovered.

Find out what Kiwis and people overseas are doing to help Christchurch after the earthquake.

Dean Dunbar lost a teenage son in Pike River mine. Now, after seeing two homes wrecked in the Christchurch earthquakes, he is not taking any chances with his daughter.

Nothing was going to stop Geoff Hadfield going in to get his wife Natasha as her body lay trapped alongside a dead customer in their earthquake-devastated shop.

A stained-glass window below the shattered spire inside the Christchurch Cathedral is flawless and untouched.

Damage to historic sites an extra blow for grieving Christchurch.

More than 200 Christchurch students are being taught in classrooms as far afield as Auckland while their schools undergo inspection and repair.

Charity collection scams, fake rescue workers and email rorts - the Christchurch quake has been an opportunity for criminals and fakers.

A Christchurch family had to step in to stop their elderly mother being sent to Nelson against their wishes.

Residents with no toilets, power or water but loads of sludge can still manage a smile.