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

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

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is calling for tough new laws around looting after three houses were burgled in the aftermath of this morning's quake.

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

GNS Science seismologist Dr John Ristau has answered your earthquake questions in a live chat.

Sez Nathan and her family watched as the walls of their Waiau home crumbled around them in the early hours of this morning.

Police are investigating three burglaries following this morning's earthquake in Christchurch.

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

As New Zealand wakes up to reports of the series of earthquakes to have shaken the country overnight the rest of the world is also coming to grips with the news.

Newstalk ZB listeners share their stories of the night.

The earthquake in the early hours of this morning brought back memories of the September 2010 and February 2011 quakes for Donna Mills.

A Waiau local says roads around the epicentre of this morning's quake are blocked by massive landslides and deep cracks that stretch for miles.

Heavy rain and wind is forecast to batter the upper South Island and lower North Island this afternoon.

A major medical marijuana trial is underway in New Zealand - testing the effects of a new cannabis gel on epilepsy patients.

The east coast is the best place to see Tuesday's supermoon.

This helicopter tour over the South Island was a star-studded affair.

Lotto players in Auckland, Paraparaumu, Nelson and Dunedin got a pleasant surprise tonight.

Thousands of punters turned out for Cup Day in Christchurch today.

They seemed on their best behaviour. Maybe they didn't want to emulate Melbourne's global shame after last week's drunken race-going carnage.

A Hepatitis C sufferer who deliberately flicked blood in a women's face has been charged in Christchurch District Court.

The motorcyclist killed in a crash on the Lindis Pass on Sunday was Stephen Ross Philip of Christchurch. Police named the 56-year-old

Organisers clamp down on drunken behaviour at Christchurch race day.

Police officer says in 23 years of policing, confrontational Gun City owner "would have been one of worst people he's ever dealt with".

Security for this year's week-long racing carnival will be dramatically increased and patrons affected by alcohol will be denied entry.

Christchurch man allegedly gave marijuana to the 13-year-old boys at his house so they would be stoned enough to sleep with him.

Ellie Otineru learned she was pregnant with her third child two weeks after her partner's sudden death.

A passenger has described the dramatic scenes when a bomb threat was made against a plane from Palmerston North to Christchurch this afternoon.

A fault that has cut power to more than 1600 properties in Lyttelton might not be fixed until tonight.

A person is trapped after a three-car crash in Christchurch.

A man who led police on a dangerous 50km rampage through roadblocks, road works, a golf course and private houses has been jailed for three years.