Rescuers were continuing a desperate search for survivors throughout the night amid the ruins of the New Zealand city of Christchurch after a massive earthquake that killed at least 65 people.

New Zealand’s prime minister has said at least 65 people have been killed in the earthquake that hit the city of Christchurch.

Scores of people were dead and missing today after a powerful earthquake in the South Pacific hurled a massive tsunami at the shores of Samoa and American Samoa.

A fresh tsunami alert rang out in the capital of Samoa in the South Pacific today, hours after tsunami waves crashed ashore, killing at least 39 people and leaving scores unaccounted for.

The opposition National Party conceded defeat today in New Zealand’s general election and its leader said he expected Labour leader Helen Clark to form the next government.

NEW ZEALAND premier Helen Clark appears poised to win another term in office in today's general election. The Labour leader says being prime minister is "the best job I've had" and opinion polls point to her keeping the post.