The time capsules were discovered in Cathedral Square under the plinth of a statue of John Robert Godley. One was a small glass capsule, while the other was a large metal-like object.

The discovery, described by Christchurch mayor Bob Parker as "remarkable", came as police predicted the final death toll following last Tuesday's 6.3 magnitude quake would reach about 240.

The capsules will be opened in the future, but will be looked after at the city museum in the meantime.

Mr Parker said he hoped to "discover and understand the words and visions of our forebears" in the capsules.

Godley, an Irishman, is known as the "Founder of Canterbury" even though he lived there for only 2½ years. He travelled in Ireland and North America and developed ideas about how colonies should be established and governed.

The statue will be rebuilt, Mr Parker said.

Two minutes' silence

Today New Zealand will stop at 12.51pm local time to observe two minutes' silence as a sign of unity for the people of Christchurch and out of respect for those who lost their lives.

Mr Parker said today would be "massively emotional" as people stopped to remember quake victims.

"Emotion will gush to the surface," he told TVNZ. "It will be the first time that a lot of people will have stopped. Being together will be powerful, and wherever we are we need to stand together as one.

"I still find it difficult to believe we're in the middle of this. When do our people stop being punished?"

The public is being urged to attend vigils for the dead.

Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, his wife Lady Satyanand, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, church and faith representatives, MPs and overseas diplomats will attend a ceremony on the steps of Parliament at 12.30pm today, with members of the public invited to gather on the forecourt or lawn.

The bells of the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul will ring a half-muffled peal for 10 minutes from 12.56pm.

A condolence book is available for members of the public to sign in Parliament's first floor foyer.

Death toll rises

Police Superintendent Dave Cliff said this morning the death toll would "solidify" about the 240 mark.

The number of dead officially stands at 154.

Police warned it would will rise further and said this morning more names would most likely be released this afternoon.

The death toll climbed by six overnight.

Police efforts to identify the dead have been bolstered today by the arrival of a four-member victim identification team from Queensland.

Superintendent Russell Gibson said more than 170 people were now involved in the painstaking operation to identify bodies.

Many of the dead have been so badly injured that visual recognition by relatives alone is deemed too risky to ensure a correct identification.

DNA, fingerprints and other methods are being used to limit the chances of mistaken identities.

Meanwhile, the NSW government has pledged $1 million for the victims of the quake.

The cost of the recovery is estimated at $NZ20 billion ($15 billion) and the New Zealand government says the money will be found.

Finance Minister Bill English this morning said there were provisions for $NZ19 billion of the cost, but the shortfall would be met.

He said government spending would have to be "significantly re-prioritised".

People flee Christchurch

Nearly 50,000 people have flown out of Christchurch, and the exodus is expected to soar as cheap fares are snapped up. Many more people have left the quake-hit city by car.

A lot of those leaving were visitors but Air New Zealand said many were residents looking for time out.

The national carrier has flown an average of 8000 people out of Christchurch International Airport daily.

The total figure is expected to reach as high as 70,000 by the week's end, Air New Zealand spokesman Mark Street said.

The extra seats equated to about 20 additional Boeing 737 services a day on top of existing services.

"We have used every jet aircraft type in our fleet to find the additional capacity," he said.

Recovery accelerates

One week on, the city is in full recovery mode. Streets are dotted with trucks, repair crews, excavators and equipment.

All over Christchurch, a wheelbarrow army has been clearing properties and footpaths of silt.

Last September's earthquake delivered about 30,000 tonnes of silt, compared with the 180,000 tonnes of silt last Tuesday.

It could get ugly today, with strong north-westerlies expected to send the dried silt into the air in dust clouds.

Most roads are open, although traffic is slow as motorists negotiate cracks and unexpected mounds along the main arterial routes.

Ten out of 15 Countdown supermarkets are back in operation and the default town centre of Christchurch, Westfield Riccarton, is open to shoppers again.

BP said it had "replenished" its petrol stations, and a ship discharged jet fuel at Lyttelton over the weekend.

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