Nearly all routes in and out of Kaikoura are closed today as high winds across the South Island mean small planes and helicopters are grounded, Civil Defence says.

Wellingtonians and people living on the top of the South Island were shaken awake as a strong quake rattled the centre of the country.

A stark image of three cows stranded on an island created by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake near Kaikoura captured global attention last week.

Kaikoura people are told to enjoy the little things to cope with last Monday's 7.8 quake.

Kaikoura residents and visitors will be able to dash for freedom this afternoon as Inland Rd opens for a short time.

For the first since last Monday's quake people may get to drive out of Kaikoura.

The demolition of three buildings in Wellington will be brought forward in light of last week's 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Two of

Canterbury Civil Defence hopes to reopen one lane of the Inland Rd into Kaikoura tomorrow afternoon.

At spots where the boulders still teeter above, the convoy spreads out a little. Better to have one or two trucks wiped out than several, it's explained to me ... The brutal logic makes sense.

More than 25 police staff remain in Kaikoura and the surrounding area offering reassurance to locals and offering their assistance.

First it was captain fantastic Richie McCaw and now more Kiwi sporting royalty are heading to Kaikoura.

Holidaymakers are being urged not to write post-quake Kaikoura off as a destination.

Several hundred people have gathered to pay their respects to Kaikoura man Louis Edgar, who perished in last week's earthquake, is to be held this afternoon.

An Army convoy bringing emergency supplies has arrived in Kaikoura after six-hour journey.

The largest convoy of essential supplies to Kaikoura is back on track after weather delays.

The weather is closing in on a small Kaikoura township that sits under a new dam that may soon burst.

Mt Lyford residents have limited use of Kaikoura's Inland Rd.

The Human Rights Commission has received 16 complaints about Brian Tamaki's rant blaming gay people for earthquakes.

Residents south of Kaikoura in Goose Bay have been told to be prepared to be gone for at least 10 days while Civil Defence monitors a quake landslide upstream.

A stream of bubbles is rising out of the sea around the Kaikoura peninsula as newly formed cracks in the seabed release gases into the water.

Calls to mental health helplines have spiked since the Kaikoura Earthquake.

Defence Force truck drivers brave waist-deep water crossings, damaged bridges and overhanging rocks to get supplies to Kaikoura.

The only road into Kaikoura has been reopened to military vehicles after last night's strong aftershock.

Dates have been set for NCEA scholarship history and chemistry exams, which were cancelled following last week's earthquake.

Papamoa father Justin Cheyne has offered his 4-bedroom home to a South Island quake family to use free during the Christmas New Year

A scientist has shared an up-close look at how last week's 7.8 quake hoisted up Kaikoura's coastline.

A significant cause of damage to commercial property buildings in the Kaikoura earthquake is a failure to comply with non-structural, seismic restraint guidelines.

As people flee earthquake-hit Kaikoura, an Australian woman has flown in to care for her elderly parents.

A strong aftershock sends fearful people out of their homes for the night.

The key remaining route to Kaikoura is closed and some residents are being forced to sleep outside after a strong 5.7 aftershock on Tuesday evening.