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Police sealed off the centre of New Zealand's second largest city because of the danger from falling masonry during a series of strong aftershocks. Eighty extra police officers were drafted in Auckland to help enforce a 7pm to 7am curfew. Army units were also being sent in to assist with relief work.
As night fell on scenes of devastation, fears were mounting of health risks from fractured sewage pipes and residents were warned to boil drinking water. A fire erupted in the shattered central city and firefighters racing to tackle it were hampered by a lack of water pressure caused by burst mains.
Earlier, isolated cases of looting were reported but police quickly responded by increasing their presence around city centre shops.
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