US search and rescue leader returns to Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The man who lead the US search and rescue in the aftermath of February's earthquake is back in Christchurch to accept a plaque of appreciation from the City Council.

Earthquake family tries to comfort traumatised children

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The days of aftershocks have got too much for the Wingfield family who are getting out of Christchurch in an effort to calm their deeply distressed children aged two and five.

Shaking Bricks : Jason Ingham

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Civil Engineer Professor Jason Ingham discusses his extensive projects investigating seismic retrofit of structures in earthquake regions he's been to over the past 12 months, Indonesia, Chile and of course, Christchurch.

The latest on the 7.1 earthquake in Canterbury

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Thousands of people are being evacuated from the Christchurch city centre with Civil Defence officials saying its simply too dangerous for residents to stay there.

Hundred million dollars earmarked for Canterbury

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Around a hundred million dollars has been earmarked by Cabinet as its initial contribution to Canterbury following the earthquake, but the Prime MInister says the final bill will be far higher.

Christchurch's central city bus tour come with stark warning

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Public bus tours of Christchurch's red zone will start off with a warning that the passengers could be trapped by an earthquake and may not make it out alive.

Green Party proposes nationwide earthquake levy

Audio, Radio New Zealand

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.

Overseas expert shocked at design of PGC building

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An American engineer has told the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission he was shocked at the failure of builders to properly fix the floors of the PGC building to its walls.

Small Canterbury businesses call for Government help

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce estimates up to 150 of the region's small businesses will fold if they're not given Government assistance to relocate from their earthquake-stricken premises.

Anglican Appeal

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Bishop of Christchurch has asked parishioners to think about the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Bishop Victoria Matthews is appealing to Canterbury Anglicans to give at least $100,000 for quake relief in Haiti.

Business owners decision on buildings' future

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Business owners have told the Christchurch City Council they are haemorrhaging thousands of dollars a week, while it decides whether or not to demolish their buildings following last month's earthquake.

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.

The latest from the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An earthquake engineer says designing buildings to resist earthquakes is as much an art as it is a science and you can never make a structure completely quake-proof.

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.

Christchurch residents concerned about impact of asbestos

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch city council is reconsidering its plan to dump five thousand tonnes of asbestos contaminated rubble in Bottle Lake Forest Park landfill which has been reopened to take earthquake debris.

Chch homeowners consider legal action against State Insurance

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A group of angry Christchurch locals are considering legal action against one of the country's biggest insurance companies because they say their earthquake claims are taking too long to settle.

CTV designer apologises to families for the first time

Audio, Radio New Zealand

For the first time the man whose firm designed the CTV building has apologised to the families of the 115 people killed when it collapsed in the Christchurch earthquake.

EQC knew wall was unsafe before it collapsed killing two

Audio, Radio New Zealand

It's been revealed that the Earthquake Commission knew a wall which crushed two people in Christchurch's February earthquake was at risk of collapsing.

Community stunned at council CEO's 14-percent pay rise

Audio, Radio New Zealand

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.

Newly formed Chch management unit

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The rebuild of central Christchurch has been taken out of the control of the city council and will now be managed by a newly formed unit within the Government's Earthquake Recovery Authority.

Good Coconuts

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Professional and personal partners Victoria Flight and John Drew about the nutritional benefits of coconut oil, and the decision to develop their business 'Blue Coconut' after experiencing a deeply traumatic event in Christchurch's earthquake of February 2011.

Restored Kaikōura train ‘the best it’s ever been’

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first passenger train from Piction to Christchurch since the devastating Kaikōura earthquake has arrived in the Garden City - Kathy Templeman was on board and says it was an emotional experience.

Pete Majendie on deafness, tea, and being part of Christchurch's story

Audio, Radio New Zealand

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.

Chch man told insurance will go up by $10,000 a year

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch man has been left stunned after his insurance premium rose by 440 percent after his insurer decided his property was at a higher risk from earthquakes.

Checkpoint Top Stories for Monday 31 March 2014

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Police link a West Coast attack on two tourists with the death of another woman in Christchurch. A swarm of earthquakes in Hawkes Bay and Teina Pora will be released on parole.

Memorial Garden for CTV victims opens in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The cleared site, where 115 lost their lives in the February 22, 2011 earthquake, has been turned into a memorial garden, which is intended to be a place for reflection and rememberance.

Sign of the Kiwi re-opens in Christchurch - locals delight

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Built in June 1917, the popular 'Sign of the Kiwi' heritage building in Christchurch's Port Hills has re-opened today after being closed for six years due to earthquake damage.

Quake-hit North Canterbury farmers in need of accomodation

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Many farmers' homes have been red-stickered after the Kaikoura earthquake, but they say they can't leave because their farms aren't just their homes, they're their livelihoods

Historic telescope back in business

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The historic Townsend Teece telescope in Otautahi Christchurch was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake, but has been expertly restored and is now reinstalled back in its central city home at the Arts Centre.

Spectrum for 28 July 2013

Audio, Radio New Zealand

'Rekindle' is an initiative started since the earthquakes in Canterbury which provides purposeful work for young people by giving them the opportunity to design and fashion furniture from waste wood. Spectrum's Deborah Nation explores 'Rekindle'.