Latest from Kaikoura

Mail delayed following earthquake

New Zealand Post is warning that some mail will be delayed in areas hit by this week's earthquakes.

Elderly, sick woman struggled for safety

Several cars drove past an unwell and elderly quake victim, dressed in her pyjamas as she struggled to higher ground with her walking

Risk to tourism from the quakes

Tourism leaders fear the image of New Zealand as a destination will be harmed by the earthquakes.

What happened in our 7.5 earthquake??

Preliminary modelling suggests that the earthquake was caused by a rupture of a northeast-striking fault t, but this may be a more complex event.

Richie McCaw rescues stranded tourists

Richie McCaw, who has been airlifting stranded tourists out of Kaikoura, says the devastation from the air looks "pretty crazy".

Moderate aftershocks hit

Aftershocks continue around Kaikoura this morning.

Pilot: Slips just grew and grew

A helicopter pilot says he could smell the fresh earth uncovered by the Kaikoura earthquake hundreds of metres in the air as he flew above the scene.

Evac plan: Infirm go first

Tourists will be ranked according to need as the evacuation of Kaikoura begins.

Sea evacuation from Kaikoura tomorrow

The evacuation, via sea, of tourists stranded in Kaikoura is still a day away.

HMNZS Canterbury sent to Kaikoura

HMNZS Canterbury is sailing to Kaikoura loaded with aid supplies and will bring back tourists and residents.

South Island Internet hangs by a thread

Most of Spark's South Island broadband and landline network is hanging by a thread. A cable running along the island's east coast

Historic homestead collapses

A historic homestead is in tatters and the four other properties on a north Canterbury sheep and beef farm were damaged in today's

Quake latest: What you need to know

The Clarence River has burst its banks, with residents being told to move to high ground immediately, as aftershocks continue to rock the country.

Search on for Clarence River kayakers

A search is underway for six kayakers after kayaks and other gear was found abandoned on the flooded Clarence River just before 5pm. A

Holy cow: The luckiest animals alive?

Three cows have been luckily - or unluckily - stranded on an island of land, surrounded by collapsed earth from landslides near Kaikoura.

Most schools to open tomorrow

Most schools will open tomorrow, following hundreds of closures after the quake.