Christchurch businesses beaten but unbowed one year on

Audio, Radio New Zealand

We are here broadcasting from Christchurch, as the city remembers the devastating earthquake that claimed 185 lives, and forever changed the city for those who survived.

The rising cost of the Christchurch earthquake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Political Editor Brent Edwards reports live from parliament on the implications of the rising costs of the Christchurch earthquake for the EQC and the Government's finances.

Building codes minimised quake's injuries, damage

Audio, Radio New Zealand

New Zealand's strict building codes are being praised for minimising the injuries and damage caused by the seven-point one magnitude earthquake that shook Canterbury on Saturday.

Grants to be available to those forced out of their homes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Emergency grants will be available from tomorrow for Christchurch residents who are no longer able to live in their homes because of earthquake damage.

'Think of people not buildings' - CHCH property owner

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some Christchurch building owners say a bulldozer's the best option, despite the city council calling for government help to rebuild heritage buildings damaged by the earthquake.

Earthquake prompts rush of civil defence volunteers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first meeting for new civil defence volunteers in Christchurch since the earthquake last month has attracted more than four times the number that usually turn up.

Canterbury's chief medical health officer warns of asbestos

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The chief medical officer of health for the region, Dr Alistair Humphrey, says people carrying out repairs on their earthquake-stricken properties need to be wary of asbestos.

Engineering expert - Capital must learn from Canterbury quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The head of an international team of engineers who are expert in designing for disasters says Wellington should look closely at the lessons from the Canterbury earthquake.

Building a better Canterbury

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A debate on the architectural way forward for earthquake hit Christchurch ahead of an exhibition and series of talks initiated by the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

Tower full-year loss widens, proposes new quake claims company

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The insurance company, Tower, has strongly criticised the time it's taking to settle Canterbury earthquake claims and says the insurance system for handling such disasters is broken.

Sewage restoration given top priority

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Plans for the reconstruction of earthquake damaged parts of Christchurch are slowly taking shape as priority is given to restoring fundamental services to residential areas of the city.

Work continues to restore water supply to homes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

For the latest on the damage caused by Monday's earthquakes, we're joined by the Christchurch City Council's water and waste unit manager, Mark Christison.

Families reflect on first week of evidence about CTV collapse

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission hearing into the collapse of the Canterbury Television Building has ended for the week after four days of compelling evidence.

CTV design company faces more criticism at Royal Commission

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An engineer who worked for the company that designed the CTV building, has criticised the attitude of his former boss at the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission.

Badly hit Sydenham aims to become revitalised quarter

Audio, Radio New Zealand

One of the Christchurch suburbs badly hit in the Canterbury earthquakes is being rebranded as the Sydenham Quarter - a future haven for artists, artisans and industrialists alike.

Bereaved husband rejects CTV designer's apology

Audio, Radio New Zealand

For the first time Alan Reay, whose firm designed the collapsed CTV building, has apologised to the families of the 115 people killed in the Christchurch earthquake 18 months ago.

Post-quake anxiety in children

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some children in Christchurch still have quite serious post-earthquake anxiety issues - we hear what to look for and why professional help might be a good idea.

EQC considering legal action against Fletcher Construction

Audio, Radio New Zealand

EQC CEO Sid Miller says the agency is currently defending 316 legal cases over the Christchurch earthquakes, and is considering legal action against Fletcher's for its project management of the repairs.

Paul Millar - CEISMIC Thinking

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Paul Millar, associate professor at Canterbury University, is concerned that future generations won't have access to the full picture of the Canterbury earthquakes, so he got the CEISMIC Project under way. The project is an archive of earthquake-related digital material and includes resources from the National Library, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Christchurch City Libraries, Te Papa, NZ On Screen, the Canterbury Museum and the Ngai Tahu Research Centre. Paul says the aim is to document the impact of the disaster and the process of recovery, and make all that material available for free.

Lawyer hopes inquest will highlight problems with rescues

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A lawyer for the husband of a woman who died in the Christchurch earthquake says a coming inquest will show rifts within the Fire Service did hamper rescue efforts.

Brownlee threatening to step in and override CCC

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Recovery Minister has given the Christchurch City Council until this morning to approve a development plan, or else he says he'll do it for them.

Radio NZ presenter honoured at quake ceremony

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Radio NZ's Vicki McKay among those honoured at an awards ceremony in Christchurch for heroism, service or acts of kindness by organisations and individuals during the Canterbury earthquakes.

Hundreds of engineers assess damage in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Hundreds of engineers are on the ground in Christchurch, assessing the damage in the wake of Tuesday's earthquake and are heading into the CBD en masse for the first time.

Roger Sutton to head the Earthquake Recovery Authority

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Damaged properties, water, sewerage and the demolition of buildings in the city centre are first on the list for the new man in charge of the recovery operation in Canterbury.

Eastern suburbs complain of lack of services

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Labour Christchurch East MP Lianne Dalziel says the city council has made a terrible decision about how it organises help for earthquake victims and it needs to be changed urgently.

Plumbers say EQC paying bills too slowly

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Plumbers industry body says some plumbers helping Christchurch quake victims are struggling to stay afloat, because the Earthquake Commission is not paying out fast enough for emergency repairs.

WINZ staff being flexible about financial support eligibility

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Social Development Minister says staff are having to be flexible when deciding what financial support those caught up in the Christchurch earthquake are eligible for.

Christchurch's Orange Zone

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People living in Christchurch's orange zone will have to wait longer than expected for a decision on whether they can remain in their homes, after the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority missed one of its deadlines.

Quake families say lack of legal help leaves them without voice

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A spokesperson for the families of the victims of the Christchurch earthquake says without legal representation their voice will not be heard during the Royal Commission.

Israeli spy ring may have been caught up in Chch quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

There are suggestions this morning that a Mossad agent working for the Israeli government may have been one of those killed in the Christchurch earthquake.