West Coast police today advised motorists to take extra care when driving through the Lewis Pass and Maruia Valley on SH7 and SH65 as traffic numbers build up.

Employers whose staff are struggling to cope following Monday's earthquake are being given advice on how to best support their employees.

Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki has blamed earthquakes on gays, sinners, and murderers.

The latest earthquake again prompted reports of animals behaving strangely just before the main shock hit. What does science say?

New aerial photos show there is much work to be done after Monday's 7.8 quake.

It may be up to a year before the Defence Force can get back into its Wellington headquarters after Monday's earthquake caused structural damage.

Some dairy farmers in the South Island might have to dispose of their milk due to road closures and other issues.

Queen Elizabeth II has sent a message of condolence to the Governor-General of New Zealand.

Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says the cost of the earthquakes was still to emerge, but it would be in the billions of dollars.

English tourist had just turned in for the night when the earthquake struck. Now the terrified visitor is desperate to get home.

More than 1700 tremors have rocked central New Zealand since Monday - but this constant shaking is normal says scientists.

COMMENT: The navies of the United States, Australia and Canada are joining New Zealand's earthquake relief effort.

As Canterbury Civil Defence declared a region-wide state of emergency, people from around South Island banned together to support those affected by quake.

Kaikoura's tourism industry fears for the future after this week's quake raised the seabed by at least a metre.

Vital supplies are being flown in as Kaikoura has less than 24 hours of drinking water left.

Most phone services affected by yesterday's earthquake have now been fixed, Vodafone says.

A mercy mission into rural quake-hit Marlborough has led to donations for farming communities and offers of help.

Two cattle and a calf which survived yesterday's earthquake should be allowed to retire and live out their days in a sanctuary, animal rights group Peta says.

WATCH: When Ben Todd saw water rising towards his family home he knew there was only one thing to do.

Learn from Christchurch and subsidise businesses hit by the devastating Kaikoura earthquake, former mayor Sir Bob Parker has told the Government.

A number of schools have been closed due to flooding, affecting some students due to sit exams after afternoon.

Restoring highway access to Kaikoura will take months, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says.

Relieved tourists have been flown by helicopter from Kaikoura to a Red Cross Centre in North Canterbury this morning.

Steven Joyce has been charged with putting together a "business continuity package" for Kaikoura.

Defence Force sends hundreds of staff plus planes and ships to earthquake-affected south.

Three blokes in a 4WD have headed into big country searching out those needing help in the wake of the Kaikoura Earthquake.

Our photographers and reporters share some of the images captured after yesterday's quakes.

Mid Canterbury farmers are on standby to take dairy cows from quake-affected North Canterbury dairy farmers.

Helicopters from US and Malaysia will help out in Kaikoura, says PM John Key.

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