Latest from Earthquakes

Hundreds of quake claims lodged

Hundreds of quake damage claims have been lodged as a result of the severe magnitude 6.2 tremor that damaged homes and cut power.

Quake claims flood in

Damage claims from yesterday's 6.2 quake are starting to be lodged with EQC, as more than 300 aftershocks hit the lower North Island - and a couple of biggies are expected.

Science behind the quakes

24 hours of NZ earthquake activity

Updated map with data from geonet.org.nz showing the 6.2 earthquake and the following aftershocks for the lower North Island of New Zealand.

Quake causes agricultural chemical spill

Yesterday's 6.2 magnitude earthquake caused an agricultural chemical spill on a Palmerston North farm, resulting in one man being sent to hospital.

Minor earthquake damage

Shakes likely to last weeks

Scientists expect quake activity in Wairarapa for weeks after yesterday's 6.2 shake.

6.2 quake hits North Island

A "severe'' 6.2 quake that hit the lower North Island today has toppled walls and chimneys and sent rockfalls across roads, with a building in Masterton red-stickered due to damage.

Magnitude 3.5 quake rattles Christchurch

3.2-magnitude quake hits near White Island

Post-disaster rent controls proposed

The Human Rights Commission has called for the Government to consider rent-control measures following major natural disasters.

EQC cleared of deliberately excluding unhappy claimants

An EQC customer satisfaction survey has been cleared of deliberately excluding thousands of unhappy claimants after an independent review.

Red zone couple denied $1.2m payout

A Christchurch couple are not entitled to a "windfall payment" over their red zoned house, according to a judgement released today.

Strong earthquake rocks Wellington

A 4.7 magnitude earthquake has shaken Wellington and Seddon this afternoon.

NZ warning - be ready for the big one

Plastered across posters and T-shirts, inspiring a play, and named by a popular blog site as word of the year, "munted" became the catch-cry amid Christchurch's post-quake devastation.

Red zone for Port Hills houses

A zoning review in Christchurch's Port Hills has resulted in 237 properties being reclassified from green zone to red zone, and 33 going from red to green.