Earthquake Recovery Minister reacts to call for inquiry
Audio, Radio New Zealand
After calls for an inquiry into Christchurch home repairs, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee joins Checkpoint.
After calls for an inquiry into Christchurch home repairs, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee joins Checkpoint.
More information on the earthquake zones in Canterbury has been revealed, and some people will soon be told they won't have to abandon their properties.
The Royal Commission into the Canterbury earthquakes has been told illegal building techniques are being used in the Christchurch rebuild because the engineering profession is in crisis.
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.
At least five companies are being investigated by the Canterbury Regional Council for dumping or burning earthquake demolition rubble illegally.
The Earthquake Commission could have a big job on its hands fixing quake damaged Christchurch homes for a second time.
People can walk over Christchurch's Bridge of Remembrance once again, after nearly seven million dollars in earthquake repairs.
Repair work on Christchurch's iconic Town Hall, badly damaged in the earthquakes, has nearly hit the halfway mark.
A protest is underway outside insurance company Vero's Christchurch's office, with building owners dismayed to be still fighting for earthquake repairs 10 years on. The protest was organised by the owners of an 11 unit apartment block in New Brighton, who says Vero is purposefully delaying progress to wear them down. RNZ's reporter Rachel Graham is at the protest and spoke to Meriana Johnsen
A structural engineer has told the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission that illegal building techniques are being used in the Christchurch rebuild because the engineering profession is in crisis.
Christchurch's earthquake rebuild authority, Regenerate Christchurch, has released a new report setting out a timeline for what to do with the land - but angry residents are calling for action.
The Christchurch City Council says it needs Government money to help repair its earthquake damaged heritage and character buildings.
Christchurch businesses are calling on the council to keep the New Brighton pier open while earthquake repairs are completed.
Christchurch businesses are calling on the council to keep the New Brighton pier open while earthquake repairs are completed.
Christchurch owners worst affected by October's quake remain uncertain about their future, despite reassurance by the Earthquake Commission that many of the properties are safe to rebuild on.
A Christchurch City Councillor is worried the wishes of local residents and the council could be by-passed once the Earthquake Recovery Authority takes over rebuilding the city.
Demand for temporary accommodation in Christchurch for earthquake evacuees is expected to be intense once the rebuild work kicks into action in coming months - despite a slow start.
The new Cabinet is reportedly considering a rebuild plan for the Christchurch Cathedral, damaged in the 2011 earthquake. Supporters of restoring the cathedral say the signs are promising.
It's almost eight years to the day since the first Christchurch earthquake, and as anyone who lives in Christchurch knows, some insurance claims are still in dispute. Dodgy repairs are still being discovered and previously undiscovered damage is being found. Earthquake Commission minister Megan Woods says as problems emerge, people can come back and ask for re-repairs or have their home looked at. But just how much money is in the National Disaster Fund?
Many Christchurch residents have used shipping containers and other temporary structures to store belongings in while repairs were carried out after the earthquakes. But the Christchurch City Council says it's had an increase in complaints from residents about containers and other temporary structures obscuring neighbours' views or obstructing council berms. Chairman of the council's regulation and consents committee David East says if earthquake repairs are completed, the container may have to go.
Some 10 years on from the devastating Canterbury quakes, the wait is still not over when it comes to law changes needed to improve the Earthquake Commission. The government will not get it done until 2021, if it's re-elected. Meanwhile cases of botched quake repairs needing a fix are still flooding into EQC, Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods told Checkpoint.
Earthquake demolition work in Christchurch has made way for an urban farm that is equipping young people with life and work skills.
Canterbury homeowners are questioning the validity of a survey which was supposed to independently test the quality of earthquake repairs.
It could be up to 18 months before 660 Christchurch homeowners know who will pay for earthquake damage repairs with a $1 billion price tag. The bill to fix houses in Christchurch that weren't repaired properly the first time round, or have suffered more damage in aftershocks, is climbing - and the government can't say who's liable. The problem is the homes have new owners who can't claim on theri insurance because the damage pre-dates them owning the home. Earlier Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods told us the previous National government put no plan in place, and the current government is being left to pick up the pieces. Former Christchurch earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee disputes the issue.
Christchurch City Councillors have this morning agreed to contribute an extra 15 million dollars to the rebuild of the Christ Church cathedral. The rebuild of the earthquake-damaged cathedral has been on hold since 2024 because of a funding shortfall of around 45 million dollars. The fate of the cathedral has divided opinion across the city and beyond for a long time, some believe it should be restored, saying it's an important part of the city's history, while others say it's a waste of money and resources. Joining Jesse with the latest is Mark Stewart, Director of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement.
Park Terrace and Salisbury Street in Christchurch will be blocked off today ahead of the staged demolition of two high rise apartment blocks.
The Transport Agency says initial repairs to State Highways damaged in the Canterbury earthquake could cost up to six million dollars.
17 jobs have gone at the Christchurch Art Gallery, which is closed for earthquake repairs until at least June next year.
The Australian-owned, ANZ Bank, is betting small and medium sized firms will drive earnings next year, bolstered by the Rugby World Cup and rebuilding of the earthquake-hit Canterbury region.
The Green Party has spelt out how it would impose an earthquake levy on higher earning taxpayers, to fund the rebuild of Christchurch, if it becomes part of the next Government.