The Earthquake Recovery Minister is giving the Christchurch City Council until this morning to approve a major land development plan otherwise he'll force it through himself.
A payrise of nearly 70 thousand for the Christchurch City Council's chief executive has stunned people in the community, many of whom have been struggling financially since the earthquakes.
Building plans signed off by the Christchurch City Council show one of its own structural engineers was involved in the design of a new multistorey building that is unstable. The eight-storey office building at 230 High Street is off-limits as it is too weak and might 'rupture' in an earthquake. But the council insists the planning documents are wrong and its engineer had only a minor role. Phil Pennington reports.
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.
The Christchurch City Council has received a strong warning from the Earthquake Recovery Minister to speed up its processing of building consents or lose its power to authorise consents.
The Christchurch City Council is proposing a rate increase of more than 7 percent to help cover the rebuild of the city's earthquake damaged infrastructure.
The Christchurch City Council has voted to fast track the demolition of two heritage buildings that it says were severely damaged in September's earthquake and pose an immediate danger to people's safety.
The newly elected Christchurch City Council had its first meeting with the Earthquake Recovery Minister last night, and councillors say it was the beginning of a much better working relationship.
The Christchurch City Council is looking to Scandinavia for help with the earthquake re-build. Two Danish based urban design experts are working with the Council over the next four weeks to develop a draft plan for rebuilding the central city.
The Earthquake Recovery Minister accuses parts of the Christchurch council of slowing the recovery.
The Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, has made plain his frustration with the performance of the Christchurch City Council, calling the mayor, Bob Parker, a clown and saying that he's at the end of his tether.
A man whose wife was killed when the CTV building collapsed says the council's inspections after the September quake were in a mess and signage put on some buildings sent the wrong message that they were safe to occupy.
Radio New Zealand Reporter Rachel Graham is at the Christchurch City Council's civil defense headquarters.
Some of Christchurch's earthquake damaged red-zone land is another step closer to having some long term decisions made about its future. Today the Minister of Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Megan Woods, formally handed over ownership of 70 hectares of land to the Christchurch City Council. The land gifted to the council is in the coastal suburbs of Southshore, South Brighton and Brooklands, where residents have been waiting almost a decade to find out what the future holds for their area. Rachel Graham reports
Christchurch may become the most documented earthquake in history; The Teachers Council; Newspaper readership and circulation.
The Insurance Council has shot down criticism the industry may be delaying earthquake claims for financial gain.
The Insurance Council is ranking the Canterbury earthquake as the world's third most expensive insured event this year.
The Insurance Council is ranking the Canterbury earthquake as the world's third most expensive insured event this year.
Christchurch businesses, councils, MPs and individuals have banded together to turn the rubble of the Canterbury earthquake green.
The Christchurch City Council says it needs Government money to help repair its earthquake damaged heritage and character buildings.
The Christchurch City Council is investigating ways to prevent buses from going through Avonside and other earthquake damaged suburbs.
Christchurch's leading business group is criticising city council plans to slow down its earthquake rebuild programme. Conan Young reports.
Christchurch businesses are calling on the council to keep the New Brighton pier open while earthquake repairs are completed.
A group of small business owners in earthquake stricken Canterbury say they need a one hundred million dollar cash injection if they are to make it into the New Year.
The Dean of the Christchurch Cathedral says he's stepping down so he can better serve the city during the earthquake recovery.
The Christchurch City Council's plans to to help curb a rising homeless population has left some people who live rough worried. The council is considering funding the Christchurch City Mission to employ outreach workers for the first time since the Canterbury earthquakes, and police are increasing central city patrols. Christchurch reporter Logan Church has the story.
At least five companies are being investigated by the Canterbury Regional Council for dumping or burning earthquake demolition rubble illegally.
The State Services Commission is investigating Canterbury earthquake insurer Southern Response. A new pharmacy council ethics code has upset doctors.
Christchurch city councillors wants to know what the Earthquake Recovery Authority's plan is to hand back power to the council.
Christchurch locals made homeless by the earthquakes have made an emotional plea to the council for 100 percent rates relief.