The Lyttelton Tunnel re-opened for use by emergency vehicles at 6:30pm, after an initial assessment of damage but remains closed for non-emergency traffic pending a further detailed safety assessment tomorrow morning.
The tunnel, under the Port Hills, links Christchurch and Lyttelton.
The tunnel was closed immediately following today's earthquake because rockfalls caused significant damage to the tunnel canopy and to the control building.
The priority has been to re-establish the tunnel as a route for emergency services in and out of Lyttelton.
New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) spokesman Andy Knackstedt said all state highway bridges in the city have been inspected and though sustained minor damage all the bridges were operational.
Some damage was suffered on other parts of the state highway network in the region but all highways remain open.
• Elective surgery cancelled in Auckland
Routine elective surgery will be cancelled in Auckland tomorrow as staff prepare to treat people injured in today's devastating quake.
An injured woman and a child will be flown from Christchurch to Auckland for treatment once transfer times had been arranged, Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) said tonight.
The woman would be treated at Auckland Hospital, while the child would be treated at Starship Hospital.
ADHB incident controller Margaret Dotchin said Auckland had beds and capacity in its intensive care units to support Christchurch in its time of need.
Its incident management team was in regular contact with agencies coordinating the earthquake response.
Ms Dotchin said two intensive care nurses and three general nurses were on standby to be transferred to Christchurch. Several surgeons, anaesthetists and intensive care staff were also on standby.
• Japanese students missing
Twelve Japanese students from a foreign language school have been reported missing in the rubble of a Christchurch building.
The Sankei Shimbun newspaper said two Japanese teachers and nine students were rescued, but 12 students from were missing in the Peterborough St building. They are from Toyama city.
NNN television news network has quoted Toyama city authorities as saying that three of the rescued students have been taken to hospital, one in a serious condition.
• Staff members trapped
Two staff members of The Press newspaper in Christchurch were trapped in the company's building in Cathedral Square tonight.
Fairfax media chief executive Allen Williams said four staffers were trapped during the afternoon but two had been located and rescued.
"We continue to work with emergency services to free our remaining staff,'' he said.
Despite damage to the building the paper will publish tomorrow, staff working from its printing plant near the airport.
• Schools closed
All schools and early childhood services in Christchurch City have been closed until further notice, the Ministry of Education says.T
Updated information will be posted on the ministry's website by 1pm tomorrow.
• Cruise liner likely to cancel visit
Luxury cruise liner Queen Mary 2 will most likely cancel its visit to Christchurch following today's earthquake.
The two Cunard liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth made maritime history when they passed each other for the first time in Sydney Harbour on Tuesday.
Queen Mary 2 was due to sail for New Zealand on Wednesday evening, calling in Christchurch on Saturday and Auckland on Monday.
"Queen Mary 2 is due to go down to Christchurch,'' Cunard director Peter Shanks told AAP. "We're working with our team to make sure we do the appropriate and considerate thing.
"It seems very unlikely that we'll be calling in Christchurch. The people in Christchurch are clearly having a very traumatic experience.''
• Maternity ward prepares for rush
Christchurch Hospital is bracing for a sudden increase in new babies as women go into premature labour as a result of today's massive earthquake.
The number of babies born spiked following the 7.1 magnitude quake last September 4 and a repeat is looking likely today.
A nurse told NZPA she had gone into work to help out because "last time everyone went into labour and it's happening again''.
She had left her "trashed'' home to help out.
There were reports of "chaos'' in the intensive care unit, with "people everywhere''
• BP sevice stations closed
All BP service stations in Christchurch have been closed until ground-based tanks and pipes have been inspected, and fuel will be rationed when they reopen.
BP NZ managing director Mike McGuinness said fuel would be rationed when the stations reopened so that emergency services could ensure essential services were provided to the city.
"Our first priority is to ensure the safety of our staff and operations. Once we have clearance, we will open our sites to emergency services and will return to providing fuel to our customers as soon as possible,'' Mr McGuinness said.
"I'm sure everyone will understand that it is essential we keep our emergency services running."
• Blood supplies holding up
The New Zealand Blood Service says it has enough blood stocks available to help victims of Christchurch's earthquake.
The magnitude 6.3 quake and aftershocks hit Canterbury this afternoon, causing widespread damage and sparking reports of injuries and multiple deaths.
The service said it did not need any more blood donors at the stage despite some media reports.
However, it was monitoring the situation very closely and would provide an update if the situation changed.
• Prisoners evacuated from court building
Prisoners were evacuated from Christchurch's central court building following the magnitude 6.3 earthquake and aftershocks which struck the region.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said all of tomorrow's court sittings in Christchurch had been cancelled and court fixtures in Timaru, Ashburton and Rangiora were also unlikely to go ahead.
The ministry was focused on accounting for the safety of all its staff and several ministry buildings had been extensively damaged.
• Search teams heading to Christchurch
The New Zealand Fire Service is mobilising its two North Island urban search and rescue taskforces to support the third taskforce based in Christchurch.
National Commander Mike Hall said the Canterbury earthquake was a national disaster and the Fire Service was responding with all its resources.
"Plans are under way to send fire appliances and personnel from other parts of the South Island to Christchurch to assist with the emergency response.
"Personnel from other parts of the country are also being prepared for mobilisation for immediate deployment, and as relief personnel over the coming days.''
• Australian aid on the way
Australia has sent a search and rescue team to Christchurch to help authorities deal with the aftermath of this afternoon's major earthquake.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard told parliament she had spoken directly with Prime Minister John Key, following an emergency meeting of his cabinet. Australia would provide any assistance requested by New Zealand, she said, adding the search and rescue team was ``literally on its way''.
• CBD worst affected
Christchurch's city centre appears to have borne the brunt of today's magnitude 6.3 earthquake, Civil Defence director John Hamilton says.
Search teams around the country are on call following the massive earthquake and aftershocks, which felled buildings and left people trapped.
There have been also been reports of multiple fatalities.
Mr Hamilton said Christchurch hospital was operational, with only one ward damaged, and Christchurch Airport would be open for emergencies only, following an inspection of the runway.
• Rail services halted
KiwiRail says all trains have been halted between Timaru and Picton, and on the West Coast following this afternoon's massive 6.3 quake centred on Christchurch, but there have been no reports of injuries to staff or passengers.
"TranzAlpine has been stopped at Greymouth and the return service has been cancelled,'' spokeswoman Cathie Bell said.
"There are 231 passengers on board and we are sourcing alternative accommodation for them as the state of the road and track is unknown.
"TranzCoastal has been stopped at Picton with approximately 163 passengers. Again the service to Christchurch has been cancelled until the state of the track can be confirmed. Arrangements are being made for these passengers as well.
Ms Bell said Interislander services across Cook Strait were still operating as normal.
A coal train had derailed in the Christchurch suburb of Heathcote with seven wagons affected, but remained up.
The train driver reported cracks in the Martindale Bridge, so the police could stop traffic.
KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn said initial track inspections had begun.
Damage to track include:
- Buckles in the Addington area
- Buckles between Belfast and Rangiora
- A slip on the city side of the Lyttelton Tunnel.
• South Island hospitals ready to help
Several South Island hospitals, including Dunedin and Timaru, are clearing patients to make room for those who have been affected by today's quake, Civil Defence Minister John Carter says.
The hospitals were providing for the possibility that hundreds of people could be injured, he said.
Mr Carter was still unable to confirm any casualties.
"We want to make sure we can provide all support from a health point of view, from a welfare point of view, from an accommodation point of view and we are working on that right now."
• Devastating quake an 'aftershock'
The magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch today is still classed as an aftershock despite the scale of the damage.
"This earthquake struck much closer to the city so what we have seen today is a much closer and shallower shake. With many buildings weakened we are seeing much more damage,'' University of Canterbury Earth Sciences Professor John Townend told Radio New Zealand.
The quake today was definitely connected to the first magnitude 7.1 quake of September 4, he said.
• CBD being evacuated
The central city is currently being evacuated as reports are received of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings. A doctor and emergency services are attending.
Other reports include multiple building collapses, fires in buildings in the central and persons reported trapped in buildings.
All available police staff are assisting with evacuations and emergency responses.
Christchurch Hospital is not evacuated and is in operation. No injuries reported at Christchurch Airport.
Defence forces have been called in to assist.
• Help for injured people
Triage centres have been established for people with injuries at:
- Latimer Square, Central City
- Spotlight Mall, Sydenham
- Sanitarium, Papanui
Police advise that people who have evacuated their homes or buildings should report to their nearest Civil Defence sector post - usually schools.
•Search teams on call
Search teams are on call throughout New Zealand, following Christchurch's massive earthquake, Civil Defence director John Hamilton says.
Mr Hamilton said he had not received confirmation of any deaths. However, emergency services said there have said there are reports of multiple fatalities.
Given the time of the day and the fact infrastructure was already badly damaged from the previous September magnitude 7.1 quake and subsequent aftershocks, the damage looked more severe than the September quake, he said.
• PM offers sympathies
Prime Minister John Key says his thoughts and prayers are with the families of any people killed in today's massive quake in Canterbury.
Police have said that multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings.
Mr Key said he was awaiting official confirmation of deaths after the 6.3 shallow quake, which struck at 12.51pm.
"My heart and thoughts and prayers would go to those families. I think we all knew that we were very lucky and blessed when the first earthquake took place that it didn't claim any lives. If it's the case that people have lost their lives in this earthquake then I think all New Zealanders would mourn with a heavy heart.''
The central city is being evacuated as police receive reports of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.
"Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings. A doctor and emergency services are attending,'' police said.
• Parliament cut short
A hushed Parliament met for less than 20 minutes today to hear Prime Minister John Key and party leaders express their fears and concerns about the damage and casualties caused by the Canterbury earthquake just over an hour earlier.
"I am fearful that there have been fatalities but I can't confirm that," Mr Key said, speaking before reports of multiple fatalities had reached Wellington. "We have only sketchy details, communications are difficult."
Labour's deputy leader, Annette King, said Cantabrians were suffering another setback, and it seemed the devastation was even worse than that caused by the first earthquake.
"We hope and pray there haven't been fatalities," she said. "It's going to need another big effort, and this House stands together."
Mr Key called an emergency cabinet meeting for 3pm and said he would go to Christchurch as quickly as he could. Parliament adjourned as a mark of respect for the people of Canterbury.
• Major damage to CBD
The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) is assessing information with the assistance of scientific advisors and Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups. The National Crisis Management Centre has been activated.
MCDEM is standing up all available Urban Search and Rescue teams. An Australian team has been put on call. Temporary accommodation is currently being organised for those displaced and is looking at erecting tents in Hagley Park
The hospital has been evacuated and several rest homes are also being considered for evacuation. There is major damage in the Christchurch CBD, and there are a number of people with significant injuries.
• Flights postponed
Flights in New Zealand are not taking off in the wake of today's 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch. Auckland Airport spokesman Richard Llewellyn said the airways system around the country was closed shortly after the earthquake.
"For the moment planes are landing but no planes are departing,'' he told NZPA.
"The national air traffic control centre is in Christchurch, and they are checking to make sure it is all okay, and until then the airways system has been closed.''
• Phone network damaged
Telecom says some of its phone networks had been badly damaged in the quake.
It said in a statement this afternoon that its staff were working intensively to understand which services have been affected and get them restored as soon as possible.
"Some network sites have been badly damaged and are not working, and others are operating on battery back up power."
• Bad news to come: Mayor
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has warned there will be bad news to come out of today's 6.3 earthquake.
"I'm deeply, deeply concerned about lives,'' he told Radio New Zealand. They had lost a lot of communication, and water was coming up through the streets from pipes, he said.
"Today is simply about a rescue operation, we need to get the extent of the damage clear, we need to get into buildings.''
Mr Parker said people were very frightened but they needed to keep the roads clear.
• Several people reported dead
Police say there are reports of multiple fatalities at several locations in central Christchurch, following today's 6.3 earthquake.
The central city is being evacuated as police receive reports of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.
"Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings. A doctor and emergency services are attending," police said.
There have been reports of fires in buildings and persons trapped inside buildings.
Christchurch Hospital is not evacuated and is in operation.
The Christchurch Police Station was initially evacuated but is operational again.
Triage centres have been established for people with injuries at Latimer Square in Central City, Spotlight Mall in Sydenham and Sanitarium in Papanui.
•Assistance offered
Emergency Management Southland is mustering resources to respond to any call for assistance in Christchurch, following the major earthquake this afternoon.
EMS Advisor Craig Sinclair said that priorities were likely to be building inspectors, rescue teams, welfare and public information staff and staff to work in the Emergency Operations Centre. No request for assistance has yet been received.
• 20 trapped in building
A man says he and 19 other colleagues are trapped in Christchurch's Forsyth Barr building on Colombo Street.
Gary Moore told NZPA, workers were stuck on the 12th floor as the stairwell had collapsed. He was not sure if people were trapped on other floors.
People were in a state of shock but were not injured and he urged NZPA to let somebody know.
He described the first quake and the aftershocks as catastrophic.
• PM plans to visit Christchurch
Mr Key will attempt to fly to Christchurch after an emergency Cabinet meeting at 3pm. The Civil Defence bunker at Parliament has been activated.
Major buildings have collapsed, raising concerns people were killed during this afternoon's Canterbury earthquake, Prime Minister John Key says. A 6.3 magnitude quake, just 5km deep and only 10km out of the city struck at 12.51 this afternoon.
"We cannot rule out the loss of life, obviously this earthquake has taken place at a time where people have been going about their daily businesses. We are doing everything we can to make sure people are safe evacuating the central city," Mr Key told reporters.
•Christchurch shaken by quake
Christchurch has been rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, with unconfirmed reports of fatalities.
Many people are reported to have been trapped in buildings and there are reports of collapses of many buildings. TVNZ reported that a body had been pulled from a car that had been hit by rubble.
The Fire Service told Radio New Zealand there had been some fatalities. Civil Defence Minister John Carter said cellphone and landlines were down and Civil Defence was using HP and satellite phones to try to communicate.
• For many people, social network site Twitter was amongst the earliest to provide on-the-scene reaction to today's big 6.3 magnitude Christchurch earthquake.
On Twitter people were providing instant reports on the quake. One person tweeted: "Holy f.... giant earthquake. city is in chaos! Buildings down everywhere."
Another person said "I now have no front or back doors. Shaking like a leaf."
It's understood Lyttelton had also been badly hit, with buildings badly damaged, according to various tweets.
