New Zealand has delayed plans to lift no-go zones in quake-hit Christchurch after major aftershocks were felt.
Christchurch's mayor had hoped to reopen the city centre following last weekend's 7.1-magnitude earthquake but new tremors halted the plan.
"We're erring on the side of caution," Mayor Bob Parker told local media.
The city has been under a state of emergency since Saturday's quake, the total cost of which is estimated at NZ$4bn (US$2.7bn; £1.8bn).
The Treasury's figure is almost double initial estimates, after the government agreed to pay a subsidy to quake-hit businesses to allow them to continue to pay wages.
BBC News
