With non-stop rescue attempts entering their third day, most Christchurch businesses are closed and are still assessing their predicament, such as Lyttelton Port of Christchurch, Pyne Gould Corp and Kathmandu.
The 1960s Pyne Gould Corp building in Cambridge Tce, which was refurbished and earthquake strengthened about eight years ago, was hard hit.
Pyne Gould Corp chairman Bruce Irvine said there were a large number of Perpetual Trust workers in the office building, which was the headquarters of the trustee business, and there were also staff from Marac finance and Pyne Gould Corp.
"The main focus at the moment is on the Perpetual Trust people and the Marac people who are still in the building. There are no Pyne Gould Corp people in the building," he said.
At noon yesterday, Mr Irvine estimated there were still 13 Perpetual Trust people and four Marac staff in the building.
Shares in Fletcher Building, which already has a share in $190 million of reconstruction work from the September quake, were down slightly at $8.41.
Fletcher yesterday reported its September repair programme was "on hold" and it was bringing in extra staff yesterday.
Several of its buildings in Christchurch were damaged on Tuesday.
Its Winstone Wallboards plant, two Placemakers sites, its Laminex branch and two Fletcher construction sites suffered "significant damage", chief executive Jonathan Ling said.
There were no employee fatalities or injuries and all businesses were closed, he said.
PGG-Wrightson (PGG-W) managing director George Gould said there had been no loss of life, nor obvious infrastructural damage to its Christchurch operations.
"The company is receiving engineering advice as to the safety of its administrative offices, Seeds distribution and coating centres and Rural Supplies and Fruitfed stores," Mr Gould said in a statement.
He said all operations were open for business yesterday, with the exception of PGG-W's Rangiora and Blenheim stores.
Listed Kathmandu Holdings said the quake had caused some damage to its Christchurch-based head office and New Zealand distribution centre and Kathmandu's chief executive Peter Halkett did not know when they may be reopened.
The distribution centre may also be impacted by the wider damage to transport infrastructure in the city and all three of Kathmandu's Christchurch stores are closed.
Kiwi Income Property Trust said it successfully evacuated its two Christchurch property assets, Northlands Shopping Centre and the PricewaterhouseCoopers Centre office building, without injuries.
With only minor damage, it was hoped to reopen shortly.
Its two supermarkets at the Northlands centre were to reopen yesterday so consumers can stock up on food and provisions.
Chief executive Chris Gudgeon said Northlands suffered some minor structural and shop front damage from the earthquake, along with damage to stock and racking systems and water damage from leaking fire sprinklers.
In the PricewaterhouseCoopers building ceiling tiles and light fittings have been dislodged, and leaking fire protection systems have caused water damage.
Mr Gudgeon said a comprehensive structural and general building inspection would be carried out as soon as possible, but added that both buildings were insured for earthquake damage and consequential loss.
Sky City Entertainment Group said staff and customers at its Christchurch Casino sustained minor injuries during the earthquake, but all were evacuated.
In a report to the New Zealand Stock Exchange company management said the casino escaped major structural damage but it would be several days before a structural inspection of the property was possible, and until then it would be closed.
Mainfreight managing director Don Braid said while the company had a significant branch in Christchurch and a range of business units in the city, its operations were likely less affected than the September quake, being beyond the city centre.
Mainfreight had dispatched eight B-train trucks, which have two trailers, with emergency water supplies to Christchurch and more were being ordered by customers, NZPA reported.
