The Finance Minister, Bill English, says the Christchurch earthquake means the New Zealand economy is unlikely to grow this fiscal year.
The Christchurch earthquake looks to have dashed hopes of a pickup in household spending this year.
RNZ Business Editor live from the Reserve Bank, where Governor Alan Bollard is reviewing interest rates, the first scheduled window since the Christchurch earthquake.
Many people in Christchurch have taken up smoking again or are going through more cigarettes a day since earthquakes began rattling the region.
Most parts of Christchurch damaged by last month's 6.3 earthquake now have power and water.
In its latest update, the Earthquake Commission says it will have to manage repairs to 50-thousand homes moderately or seriously damaged by the Canterbury earthquake four weeks ago.
Some Canterbury business owners say their employee's jobs are still in serious jeopardy, despite the Government extending its wage subsidy for another month.
Gary Luff's home was destroyed in February earthquake in Christchurch and he faced scenes of devastation in his work with the fire service. He and his partner struggled to find somewhere to stay in the aftermath and ended up living on a borrowed boat. They've enjoyed the surprise lifestyle change so much they're thinking of making it permanent - but it hasn't all been plain sailing.
It's been a long road to recovery for one of Christchurch's biggest post-quake projects. Eight years after the route connecting Sumner to Lyttleton was blocked off by the earthquakes, the road through Evans Pass will reopen on Friday. Sumner residents will now have a second route into the suburb, as well as a renewed connection to Lyttleton. Sara Templeton is the councillor for Heathcote Ward, which covers Sumner, and speaks to Guyon Espiner.
What's being called a landmark settlement with the Earthquake Commission has been reached today, which may have far-reaching consequences for Canterbury home-owners.
Damage to TJ's Kazbah in New Brighton. The east and north walls and part of the upper floor have collapsed, tipping rubble and the contents of the rooms out onto the street. The photographer comments, "The occupants of the business and rooms all managed to escape alive. A digger was used to make the building safe and then used to sift through the rubble for any surviving belongings. It was a very emotional time for the ex-occupants".
“Jog on, jog on, the footpath way. And cheerily hent the stile, A merry heart goes all the way, Your sad tires in a mile.” — “A Winter’s Tale,” Sheakespeare. Such is t…
Christchurch city buildings
Members of Civil Defence sitting outside the Christchurch Art Gallery after an aftershock hit during one of their briefings. The Christchurch Art Gallery served as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
The Windsor Hotel, on the corner of Montreal Street and Armagh Street. The building was red-stickered after the September 2010 earthquake and demolished after the February 2011 earthquake. Beside the hotel, construction has begun on a modern, tilt-slab building.
Members of Civil Defence on laptops outside the Christchurch Art Gallery after an aftershock hit during one of their briefings. The Christchurch Art Gallery served as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Members of Civil Defence on laptops outside the Christchurch Art Gallery after an aftershock hit during one of their briefings. The Christchurch Art Gallery served as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Members of Civil Defence sitting outside the Christchurch Art Gallery after an aftershock hit during one of their briefings. The Christchurch Art Gallery served as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Members of Civil Defence sitting outside the Christchurch Art Gallery after an aftershock hit during one of their briefings. The Christchurch Art Gallery served as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Kites flying above New Brighton beach. The photographer comments, "A bike ride to New Brighton and the beach 3 weeks after the Feb 22 quake. Roads were still very rough and under reconstruction. Kites at New Brighton on a Sunday afternoon".
A kite flying above New Brighton beach. The photographer comments, "A bike ride to New Brighton and the beach 3 weeks after the Feb 22 quake. Roads were still very rough and under reconstruction. Kites at New Brighton on a Sunday afternoon".
Members of Civil Defence standing outside the Christchurch Art Gallery after an aftershock hit during one of their briefings. The Christchurch Art Gallery served as the headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. People in the city try and resume their normal day to day lives after the earthquake".
A kite flying above New Brighton beach. The photographer comments, "A bike ride to New Brighton and the beach 3 weeks after the Feb 22 quake. Roads were still very rough and under reconstruction. Kites at New Brighton on a Sunday afternoon".
Kites flying above New Brighton beach. The photographer comments, "A bike ride to New Brighton and the beach 3 weeks after the Feb 22 quake. Roads were still very rough and under reconstruction. Kites at New Brighton on a Sunday afternoon".
Kites flying above New Brighton beach. The photographer comments, "A bike ride to New Brighton and the beach 3 weeks after the Feb 22 quake. Roads were still very rough and under reconstruction. Kites at New Brighton on a Sunday afternoon".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. People in the city try and resume their normal day to day lives after the earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. People in the city try and resume their normal day to day lives after the earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. People in the city try and resume their normal day to day lives after the earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. People in the city try and resume their normal day to day lives after the earthquake".