7:14pm: The HNZMS Canterbury is on its way to the Kaikoura region and may be used to help the 1100 stranded tourists get out of the district. Defence Force planes may also start flying out tourists who are desperate to leave.

7:01pm: Prime Minister John Key has said the cost of repair after today's quakes will be in the billions.

"The slips here are horrendous. You've got to believe it's in the billions of dollars to resolve these issues ... they're huge slips, the Manawatu gorge was a big slip in its own right and there's probably half a dozen of those sitting out there to the north of Kaikoura," he said.

7pm: The Sky Tower will light up in black and white on Monday night "as a mark of solidarity with New Zealand" following the magnitude 7.5 quake that shook the country.

"Most New Zealanders will have friends or family who have been affected by these earthquakes and we're lighting the Sky Tower to show our support for those affected," says acting general manager Matt Ballesty.

He called the Sky Tower, New Zealand's tallest building, a "symbol of love, hope, support and solidarity".

"It's our way of saying we're all thinking about you - the rest of New Zealand is here for you."

6.27pm: KiwiRail is hopeful for Wellington passenger services to resume tomorrow. They released a statement this afternoon saying the electric trains should be tested later today, and it is hoped some passenger services can resume tomorrow in time for morning peak.

6:15pm: The kayakers missing on the Clarence River have been found safe.

6:01pm: An alternative route for traffic to head north to Blenheim will be opening tonight. Neil Walker, Transport Agency highway manager, has said that State highway 7 will be reopening.

He said drivers need to be cautious as the route will be down to a single lane in places.

"This alternative route will take approximately three extra hours, so people need factor in a longer journey time into their travel plans and ensure that they have plenty of fuel, warm clothes, food and water," Mr Walker said.

State Highway 1, Picton to Blenheim/Seddon is now open but Seddon to Cheviot remains closed. Cheviot to Christchurch is open.

5:55pm: HMNZS Canterbury will support the ongoing response in the Kaikoura region, which has been hardest-hit by today’s events. Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says viewing the region from the air revealed extensive damage to essential connections and basic infrastructure.

"Our immediate priority is ensuring delivery of clean water, food and other essentials to the residents of Kaikoura and the estimated 1000 tourists in the town.

"The roads and railways are things that can be repaired in time but it’s important to think of those who lost their lives today or suffered injuries."

5:52pm: The Ministry of Education has announced that the majority of schools in Wellington, Marlborough and Christchurch will reopen as normal tomorrow.

5:49pm: A spokesman for the CDHB has confirmed they had three patients flown to Christchurch hospital from north Canterbury this afternoon. Two males have been admitted, but did not wish to give details on the nature of their injuries.

The third patient was treated and discharged from the Emergency Department within a matter of hours.

5:08pm: Ten additional police officers from Auckland will be on the ground in Kaikoura tonight, to "support the safety and wellbeing of the community".

NZ police have said these additional officers have been deployed to provide support to the emergency response in the affected areas, as well as assist in general policing duties and community patrols.

5:05pm: The missing 16 rafters on the Clarence River have been found safely clear of this afternoon's breach of the Clarence River. A separate group of six kayaks and associated gear including helmets has also been found along the river, which suggests the kayakers have left the river for higher ground. A search is underway for the kayakers. Anybody who knows of the kayakers are asked to contact (03) 520-8400

4:57pm: The dam caused by a slip on north Canterbury's Clarence River has breached and a large wall of water is heading downstream.

16 rafters are unaccounted for on the flooded Clarence River, according to the Malborough District Council.

Civil Defence has urged residents to move to higher ground immediately. They expect it to take around three to five hours for the water to travel 50km down the river from the dam to the coast.

Water had been banking up behind the slip, about 10 to 12 kms upriver from the mouth, and broke through the dammed-up debris at about 4:20pm. Crews are already on their way to the Clarence area.

4:55pm: A spokesperson for the Interislander ferry has said that ferry services for vehicle passengers and freight will resume tonight from 6pm. Foot passangers will not be able to sail due to damage to the Picton terminal.

4:44pm: Police have received 19 reports of burglaries at Canterbury addresses since midnight.

4:13pm: Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal to support communities affected by the quakes. People can donate to Red Cross’ November 2016 Earthquake Appeal at redcross.org.nz/donate/.

3:50pm: Prime Minister John Key has said that the damage to the Kaikoura region is worse than he thought, after flying over in a Defence Force plane.

"It's just utter devastation, I just don't know...that's months of work," John Key told Gerry Brownlee and pilots.

Mr Key and Brownlee have estimated the clean up will run into the hundreds of millions and clearing the debris and blocked roads could take months.

3:46pm: The fire service have tweeted that an urban search and rescue team of 20 people and two dogs has now arrived in Kaikoura. Another team of 20 people is on standby in Christchurch.