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

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

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

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

STL driver Dennis Dunn caused some alarm when he was feared buried but has been found safe and well between two large landslips.

Today's earthquake can trigger emotional trauma for Cantabrians even though there's been little physical damage in Christchurch, a psychologist says.

COMMENT: Among the bricks and shattered glass, we feared the worst. It appeared as if a hand grenade had been tossed inside the stylish colonial cottage.

Power is gradually being restored in Kaikoura, but sewerage systems and water supplies are still down and it could be days before they are back up and running, Civil Defence says.

Blood poured down Lindsay Collins' face as he raced down the stairs of his century-old Waiau pub.

There's a 12 per cent chance of a big quake hitting before midnight. That's the prediction from government scientists GeoNet.

Images are starting to come out of Kaikoura where widespread damage and one death has occurred.

Scientists investigating the mechanics of the earthquake say it faulted in the same way the February 22, 2011, Christchurch Earthquake did.

Newstalk ZB listeners share their stories of the night.

Scholarship exams have been cancelled, but NCEA exams can go ahead in schools if they are not earthquake damaged, NZQA says.

There are casualties following this morning's quakes, acting Civil Defence minister Gerry Brownlee says.

More than one fault may be responsible for this morning's earthquakes.

Nigel Gately was arrested for breaching his parole conditions and is now in custody.

A convicted rapist now being sought by police had been commended for his post-release progress only months before when the parole board said it did not need to see him again.

A humpback whale missing most of its tail has been spotted off Kaikoura.

A man who was rescued by a helicopter pilot who today admitted a flying breach said "there's no way a man can be convicted for saving someone's life".

A seemingly "out of it" topless woman has been spotted walking along State Highway 1 near Ohau Point north of Kaikoura this afternoon.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake has struck off the coast of Kaikoura.

The parents of a baby girl left in a campervan on a hot day said they were "regularly checking on their child".

Fingers crossed, you will be blessed with a refreshing sea breeze as you tackle these top walks.

Arden Rooney may not have open-class form but the man who knows best says he is a genuine topliner.

A truck driver is thought to have been on the phone to his nephew the moment his vehicle plunged down a cliff near Kaikoura, his brother says.

A truck driver is thought to have been on the phone to his nephew the moment his vehicle plunged down a cliff near Kaikoura, his brother says.