A 5-month-old boy has been laid to rest at the first funeral for victims of last week's deadly earthquake in New Zealand. The death toll now stands at 148 and Christchurch residents have begun burying the dead.

Dozens of family and friends gathered at a small chapel in the stricken city for baby Baxtor Gowland. He was severely injured while sleeping by falling masonry in his house and died later in hospital.

Prime Minister John Key has said the quake will be felt for many years to come, but his government will provide financial resources in the short and long term. He estimated that earthquake would cost around 15 billion US dollars.