Beyond the horrific human cost of this disaster there is also an economic cost, with rebuilding work from the first quake delayed and consumer confidence and spending staying depressed.

Infometrics expect the New Zealand economy to struggle its way through the first half of 2011, before high commodity prices and the Rugby World Cup lead to improving growth.

Given the current weakness in the New Zealand economic environment, the Reserve Bank is expected to keep the official cash rate unchanged until at least December.

The full report includes information on house sales, house prices, dwelling consents, non-residential building, interest rates and net migration.