Death toll rises in Christchurch

The number of confirmed dead following the Christchurch earthquake has increased by one to 155.

That number is expected to increase over the coming days.

Police today joined with people all over New Zealand to observe two minutes silence at 12.51pm - to mark the first week since the earthquake. We were pleased to be joined by many of our Australian colleagues to mark this occasion.

Our police presence in the community has continued today.

There has been one further arrest today for a breach of the cordon. We repeat our message that the central city remains a highly unstable environment and it may be some time before access can be opened up.