Quake Authority sets deadline to speed up city rebuild

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Demolition companies and building owners in central Christchurch hope efforts by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority will speed up the city's rebuild after it's been languishing for weeks.

English warns deficit will climb above 11 billion

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Treasury is forecasting the Christchurch earthquake will slow economic activity and the Finance Minister says the forecast 11-billion dollar Budget deficit this year will also climb.

Finance Minister says govt will borrow to cover quake costs

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Finance Minister says the Government will cover the ten billion dollar cost of the Christchurch earthquake by borrowing more rather than cutting spending or putting up taxes.

Demand for temporary homes expected to be high in Chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

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.

Chambers at 241

Audio, Radio New Zealand

From the ashes of the earthquakes which have destroyed so much of Christchurch over the past year, are starting to rise new venues and new opportunities for artisits.

Orange zoned residents worry further shakes will cause delays

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some residents in orange zoned areas in Christchurch are worried the latest series of earthquakes will further delay the decision on whether they can remain in their homes.

Midday News for 3 January 2012

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch Mayor says the city council will meet with GNS scientists to get some answers about the current sequence of earthquakes, which have sparked anxiety among residents.

Rubble scanner to sniff out quake survivors

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Scientists in Europe have developed a technology which could be used to find survivors buried in rubble from collapsed buildings in events like the Christchurch and Japanese earthquakes.

Quake-affected homeowners unsure about future

Audio, Radio New Zealand

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.

Quake hit building owners given three month deadline to repair

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Property Council says an ultimatum from the Christchurch City Council to owners of earthquake damaged commercial buildings will add to the stress business people are already under.

Canterbury quake family gives thanks this Christmas

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch woman Lavina Pockson and her family live in a house with big cracks in it, on land that's among the most damaged from the big September earthquake.

Mayor hits back

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker has hit back at a Civil Defence report that says his constant media presence after the earthquake created an artificial air of crisis.

PGC building owner says he did all he could to make it safe

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Pyne Gould building tenants in Christchurch have told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Canterbury Earthquakes hearing they didn't feel safe there after the September quake.

Quake-hit state house tenant withholds rent

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A state house tenant in the Christchurch suburb of Avonside is withholding her rent, saying Housing New Zealand has left her in the lurch following the big earthquake.

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.

Owner asked why he didn't strengthen building before quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The owner of a building that collapsed in last February's Christchurch earthquake - killing four people - has faced questioning about why he did not get recommended strengthening work done.

Earthquake property inspectors earning $750 a day

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Seven $750 a day - plus expenses. That's the sum being earned by more than 414 people employed by the Earthquake Commission to carry out property inspections in Christchurch.

High Court rules Brownlee wrong to use quake powers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The High Court in Christchurch has ruled the Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee was wrong to use his special powers to fast track housing development following the earthquakes.

Govt buyout offer for red zoners to expire next week

Audio, Radio New Zealand

As the first of a series of Government earthquake buy-out offers approach their deadline, some home-owners in Christchurch's residential red zone are pleading for more time.

Manawatu Standard Image: Warwick Smith 2010:11:05 10:54:40

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Pupils at St James School with their coin trail, created to raise money for St James Catholic School in Christchurch affected by the earthquake".

The Marlborough Express Image: Scott Hammond 2010:09:27 14:15:50

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Kelland and Ruth Ramsay. They are from Christchurch and will be having a baby in Blenheim because they were not happy with the earthquake".

Fairfax Video, April 2012 (10)

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of stills of Christchurch in 2009. The video highlights the heritage buildings and architecture which has been damaged or lost since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

Peter Walker Photograph 15

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A water tank outside a New World supermarket providing residents with clean water. The earthquake caused major damage to sewer pipes and pump stations in and around Christchurch.

Photograph number UC 11-0372-68

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Bronze award presented to Jonathon Atkins, from Christchurch. Pictured here with Prime Minister John Key, Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr, and Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee.

Remembering Why it is Called the Red Zone

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A digitally manipulated image of a damaged building. The photographer comments, "Part of Christchurch City is out of bounds for the public and is called the red zone".

Fairfax Media Image: Lawrence Smith 2010:09:11 12:13:21

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. Prime Minister John Key visits a waste water plant near Bromley".

Nelson Mail Image: Colin Smith 2010:09:06 09:24:16

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "A sign in New World supermarket in Nelson saying they may be out of stock of some goods due to the earthquake in Christchurch".

Fairfax Media Image: Lawrence Smith 2010:09:10 11:50:27

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. The Country Theme Building on Manchester Street is due for demolition".

Fairfax Media Image: Lawrence Smith 2010:09:10 11:49:51

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch begins the slow recovery process after last weeks devastating 7.1 earthquake. The Country Theme Building on Manchester Street is due for demolition".

Central Leader Image: Jason Oxenham 2010:09:06 10:28:25

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Grey Lynn resident Laura Caygill was visiting family in Christchurch on the weekend when the earthquake struck. She was injured by a falling chimney".