A recorded conversation about the arts in Christchurch, facilitated by Rosalee Jenkin (UC CEISMIC) and featuring Sophie Davis (UC Masters student and co-director of North Projects), Lara Strongman (Senior Curator at Christchurch Art Gallery), Gaby Montejo (visual art practitioner and teacher) and Wongi Wilson (street artist and professional graffiti artist). The podcast is the first in a series of conversations hosted by UC CEISMIC about Christchurch, five years on from the February 22 earthquake.
It's more than eight years since the earthquakes saw Christchurch crumble. Forty billion dollars has been poured into rebuilding - but what's missing now, is people.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has experienced her fair share of earthquakes as a resident, MP and then Mayor. She joins Checkpoint.
Work to restore one of Christchurch's most recognisable heritage buildings can now begin with the help of a grant from the Earthquake Appeal Trust.
Back now to Christchurch where today some schools are opening for the first time since Saturday's earthquake.
Christchurch central seems to have a business micro-climate. And right now it's chilly. The CBD is nothing like it used to be before the 2011 earthquake and those businesses that re-opened say they really had no choice because of the demands of insurance companies.
The Cathedral has been in a state of limbo since the Christchurch earthquakes. Now roosting pigeons are adding to the damage.
Donations to the Canterbury earthquake fund now total about $11 million. It comes as the Government announced early details of a recovery plan for people wanting money to fix their damaged homes or start rebuilding.
The Christchurch earthquake last February forced many circus performers to flee the city in search of work. Their base - the Circo Arts school - was damaged in the quake and is likely to be demolished. But they're now slowly returning, as a new base for circus performers is established in the city.
The Anglican church yesterday announced members of Canterbury's synod will now decide the earthquake damaged cathedral's future at its meeting in September.
The Rescue operation following Christchurch's earthquake has now officially moved to a recovery operation.
Most parts of Christchurch damaged by last month's 6.3 earthquake now have power and water.
Christchurch has its own social superhero and he's gone cap in hand to the council for funding. The self-styled lycra-clad superhero, known only at 'Flat Man', has been dropping care packages to people since the 2011 Canterbury earthquake. He also wants to be able to help schoolkids and anxious and stressed residents through their troubles. And to do this, he's now asking the Christchurch City Council for funding. He joins us now, and says "a cape is a must".
Three years on from the earthquakes of 2011, Census data now confirms massive changes to the face and shape of Christchurch.
The insurance industry says overseas insurers have become wary of New Zealand after Monday's earthquakes in Christchurch and higher premiums across the country are now almost inevitable.
Artist Pete Majendie’s work 185 Empty White Chairs stood in Christchurch for over a decade honouring those who died in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Now, he's released a memoir.
Christchurch hotels lost a million guest nights in the year following the February earthquake, but tourism in the city is now picking up again.
Residents of some Christchurch suburbs could be in for bigger than expected rates rises after the first QV valuations since the earthquakes. The average Christchurch home now has a rating value of 455 thousand dollars, which translates into an annual rates bill of just over two thousand dollars.
Vicki Treadell is the British High Commisioner and is in Christchurch now.
Most of Christchurch's earthquake damaged red zones are now almost clear of homes, but just over a hundred homeowners are now learning what life will be like once everyone else has gone.
The orange road cone has become a symbol of Christchurch since the earthquakes. Now two men and a trailer have the job of retrieving the hundreds of cones that have gone missing over the past six years.
Years after the earthquakes, Christchurch is still desperately short of theatre space. But now the city council's investment of 30-million dollars to help the Court Theatre replace its very successful temporary home in Addington, is being widely applauded.
A national approach is now being implemented in treating a priority listing of Christchurch's injured.
TVs, shopping trolleys, beds, mattresses, even a gun. That is just some of the rubbish found by residents surrounding Christchurch's residential red zone. The area used to be filled with houses, but damage after the Canterbury earthquakes forced thousands of homes to be demolished. While many of the old suburban roads remain, the area now resembles a park. But it is now attracting those wanting to dump their rubbish for free - and Land Information NZ, which controls the land, has removed 25 tonnes of trash since January. Residents have had enough as well - with some taking matters into their own hands. Checkpoint reporter Logan Church has the story.
We're joined now by the Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee - who is in Christchurch.
Returning now to the emergency finance package for Christchurch businesses, which the Prime Minister announced this afternoon.
Christchurch lawyer Duncan Webb made the shift into politics because of the people left behind after the Christchurch earthquakes. Now he's ahead of National's Nicky Wagner in the latest results.
The earthquakes in Canterbury may have brought tragedy and economic hardship for many, but Christchurch business leaders say they're now seeing renewed signs of improving business confidence.
The damage from the Christchurch earthquakes is now being felt in the government's books.
Six years after Christchurch's destructive 6.3 magnitude earthquake the rebuild programme is now being used to provide training for workers from the Pacific. Twenty-four workers from Fiji, Tonga and Samoa are helping rebuild the city while learning new skills and earning money they can send home.
