Sorry to hear about your friend. I live in Christchurch and have been here for all the big one in the last half year (Sep 4, Boxing Day and now) and am very lucky that I know no one (fingers crossed) that has been hurt or died. A few houses here and there but nothing that can't be re built or repaired.
Gotta thank you Aussies for being so good to use during this hard and sending us all the support you have. It's times like this that really show who your friends are in this world :)