http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/w...s-christchurch

Just read about this... We're supposed to be there at the end of March.

Good grief, I just heard about the Earthquake. My heart goes out to all of you in Christchurch and all the areas affected by this terrible disaster. Christchurch has always had a special place in my heart due to my dad who was born in Wellington and lived in Christchurch as a young lad. Words cannot convey how sorry, upset and worried I am regarding what you are dealing with so all I can say there is much love and care being sent to all of you from Northern California.

That's just dreadful news. Kia Kaha to the people of Christchurch and Canterbury.

This one sounds quite bad, worse in effect than the first one.

There is a running blog on www.stuff.co.nz

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4688...Running-report

Good luck everyone there and especially to our own Fodorite Kiwi Rob.

Just watching the TV coverage live from NZ. It looks very bad- the spire on the Christchurch Cathedral has completely collapsed, not known if tourists still inside, lots of people still trapped in office buildings. There's film from Littleton of the quake - a huge boulder crushing a building.

Yes I was completely shattered to hear of this. Now I'm just waiting to hear from KiwiRob - please let us know you're ok!

Lots of power and internet outages are reported.

I just read about this here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapc...ex.html?hpt=C1

It sounds very bad indeed. Apparently the authorities are evacuating the city center.

I've been watching the live coverage and trying not to cry...there are grave fears for Sumner and Lyttelton, which are apparently unreachable at the moment. I'm hoping we hear from our NZ Fodorites soon.

Just watching live coverage too, 17 confirmed dead so far, will no doubt rise, so many people trapped. Really terrible for Christchurch and New Zealand, they haven't had a break since the last one.

Our Prime Minister is on tv talking to NZ now, and there are 65 confirmed dead. Its just horrific.

My son was working there 2 weeks ago, he loved the city centre.

His good friend's house is completely destroyed. But she is safe, somewhat shaken but ok.

Just such awful news. Our thoughts are with our Kiwi neighbours

Heard about it just before school finished so my Year 3/4 class and I ended our day looking at photos in shocked silence.
We haven't heard from any of our friends or relatives yet, and don't like to ring. One family lives in the vicinity above where the RSA was flattened in Sumner.

Hope you are safe, Rob.

I hope you & Mrs Rob are ok too, Rob - along with all our other friends in New Zealand.

Thankfully, our Redcliffe friend just got a message through to her daughter here in Australia. We'd been very concerned about her, because she sent a voicemail which was interrupted before she finished, from the CBD just after the quake.

She is fine, but got home to find their home very badly damaged and is unable to enter it to assess the damage or retrieve anything. Fortunately, they have friends in the area who can put them up and her husband, who is away, will be home tomorrow.

Another tragic event for our Kiwi friends. You must be reeling.

Our prayers are with you all in Christchurch. The entire countray, north and south islands, must be in a state of shock. My friend in CC is ok thank God. Phone lines are down. What a horrible night there right now.

Very emotional for us to watch so cannot imagine what the people are going through. I would be too fearful to sleep at all. We had the worry with Yasi but at least you have prior warnings. These quakes just hit without notice. Must have been truly frightening. My best wshes with the city of Christchurch.

Have been watching the video footage for much of the day, also have just got through Cyclone Yasi in north Queensland, that was frightening, but at least we had some warning. Just horrendous, I lived in Christchurch many years ago and am so sad to see such destruction in a lovely little city.

Been seeing reports on this through the day. It's awful. Thoughts go out to the whole city and those with loved ones there.

I had the pleasure of meeting KiwiRob and his lovely wife at the Melbourne GTG. Rob, I do hope we hear soon that you and your family are ok.

How awful! My best wishes to NZ and especially Christchurch folks; as a San Francisco area native I definitely relate. Christchurch is such a beautiful city with lovely residents.