Just as Christchurch people were beginning to relax about the chance of more earthquakes  and were looking for a well-deserved Christmas break – they found their homes rocking and rolling all over again.

There were 36 earthquakes, ranging from 3.1 to 6.0, between 1.58pm December 23 and 12 noon December 24. Four were 5.0 and over.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says that there is a real determination in the city not to let the events of the past few days ruin Christmas. He says crews have been working all hours to restore services to the city.

“It has been a hellish year. I am determined to get as much as we can fixed by tonight (Christmas Eve) so that our staff, apart from a skeleton team, can spend Christmas with their families,” Mr Parker said.

Following the first big quakes, the Christchurch City Council decided there was no need to declare a state of emergency after Civil Defence staff flew over the city by helicopter, revealing rock falls in the Port Hills particularly Redcliffs, Scarborough and Whitewash Head, Peacocks Gallop and Richmond Hill, but no major landslips and no obvious impact on properties and lifelines on the Port Hills.

There was further damage to Christchurch Cathedral’s western wall and to other buildings in the city There is liquefaction in the east of the city – particularly Dallington, Wainoni, Avonside and Parklands, but Bexley is the worst area and there were reports of cars stuck in liquefaction.  There do not appear to be any new areas of liquefaction.  There has also been flooding on some roads, particularly around Pages Road.

People are advised to stay away from the Port Hills unless they live there or need to be there.  If residents are concerned about any rock fall, cliff collapse or landslide issues around their homes they should contact the council call centre, which can alert geotechnical engineers.

The council is telling residents that for the latest information listen to radio news programmes, refer to the website www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz , follow the council on Twitter and on Facebook.  This is where you will get the latest information.