Tracking today's events as they happen on day 12 of the Christchurch earthquake disaster.

Student volunteers who helped in the earthquake clean-up have been rewarded with tickets to a sold-out Metallica gig.

The states of emergency put in place after the Canterbury earthquake were this morning extended until midday Thursday.

The Government has taken on sweeping powers to rebuild Christchurch after the earthquake.

A man seriously injured by a falling chimney in the Christchurch earthquake thanks his rescuers from hospital.

Jade software came through the Christchurch earthquake without missing a beat.

Property developer Hugh Pavletich says more land around the fringes of Christchurch should be opened for building.

Twenty-three people have reportedly been evicted from quake-damaged council flats without warning.

Tracking today's events as they happen on day 11 of the Christchurch earthquake disaster.

Police doing post-quake patrols today came across a man mixing up chemicals to make methamphetamine.

A man seriously injured when a chimney fell on him during the Canterbury earthquake has thanked his wife and "heroic neighbours" for saving his life.

Long diversions remain in place for heavy vehicles travelling on State Highway One south of Kaikoura, after a major slip on Friday night.

SH1 north of Christchurch remains closed following a major slip near Kaikoura on Friday night.

Consultancy Planit Associates says the Christchurch earthquake requires a rethink in the way development and urban growth are managed.

Hamish Keith is an arts and social commentator.

The Govt has won political support for emergency earthquake relief legislation that will bypass existing laws to speed up rebuilding in Canterbury.

The Treasury and ANZ Bank had a stab yesterday at quantifying the impact of the Canterbury earthquake on GDP.

Rain has worsened flooding on a Canterbury farm where a river has forked along an earthquake fault line, cutting through the property.