A Canterbury region badly affected by the 7.1 magnitude earthquake took another step towards recovery on Sunday with the lifting of its notice to boil water.
Kaiapoi, Pines Beach and Kairaki residents no longer have to boil their water, which has been an essential step since the earthquake.
The water supply has now been mostly restored to homes in those areas and as of midday Sunday has been deemed clean to drink.
400 businesses still can't return to central city
Christchurch City Council has inspected 1600 commercial buildings in the central business area, assessing damage from the earthquake.
Of those, 400 businesses have been told they cannot return to their premises until they are strengthened or repaired.
The council is offering two hours free parking until the end of the month to help get shoppers back into the central city.
A day off - finally
Staff from the Waimakariri District Council's emergency response team were on Sunday taking their first day off since the earthquake.
Chief executive Jim Palmer says staff need to recharge after working 12-hour days every day over the past fortnight. Some will remain on call, however.
Meanwhile, the Canterbury region has had an extended period without aftershocks, with none for more than 12 hours after about 10.30pm on Saturday.
