Families forced from their homes

Almost 100 families in quake-stricken Kaiapoi and Pines Beach/Kairaki have been forced from their homes because the dwellings have been classified as unsafe after Saturday's 7.1 earthquake and its aftershocks.

• Have you moved South to escape the earthquake zone? Email us 

The New Zealand Herald is reporting 97 properties have been "red-stickered", requiring residents to leave. Almost 400 homes in the area are now under restricted access or considered unsafe.

Waimakariri Civil Defence Controller, David Ayers, says affected residents and business owners should contact the Earthquake Commission and their own insurance companies.

"Our initial assessments have only been to ensure the health and safety of residents in their homes. That status can change if we are able to remedy the issue - by providing water or sewage options, for example, such as portaloos," Mr Ayers said.

Meanwhile, more than 80 people have lost their jobs after a North Canterbury supermarket was found to have suffered irreparable damage in Saturday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

New World Kaiapoi will take at least a year to rebuild, leaving 34 full-time and 52 part-time staff without work.

"We are very distressed that the damage to the supermarket has meant we are unable to re-open and we are doing everything we can to help all of those affected," Foodstuffs chief executive Steve Anderson said.

All staff would receive full pay for two months, access to a specialist business advisor and counsellors, as well as a grocery voucher worth $500 for full-time and $250 for part-time staff.

Mr Anderson also said he was committed to finding the workers positions at other supermarkets.