CHRISTCHURCH: A state of emergency was lifted in Christchurch Thursday, almost two weeks after a 7.0-magnitude earthquak struck the New Zealand city, officials said.

"The state of emergency has been lifted as planned" a civil defence spokesman said. "This does not mean the end of welfare, rebuilding and restoration work.

"That work will contonue with urgency for as long as required."

The most destructive quake to hit New Zealand in almost 80 years rocked Christchurch just before dawn on September 4, toppling building facades, buckling rail lines and damaged 100,000 homes.

Prime Minister John Key has described it as the country`s most costly disaster and described the lack of fatalities in the city of 340,000 people as a miracle.

Civil defence said lifting the emergency declaration meant special powers available to police and local councils in the immediate aftermath of the disaster were no longer required.

Most schools have reopened, public transport was operating and alternative accommodation had been found for hundreds of people left homeless by the quake.

There have been no disease outbreaks or major public health scares in its aftermath and no-go zones in the city centre were lifted last week as the danger from falling debris eased.

However, officials say residents remain rattled by strong aftershocks.

"I would be loathe to say on behalf of the people of Christchurch that life has returned to normal, particularly given the aftershocks," the civil defence spokesman said.

BDST: 0847 HRS, September 16, 2010