A Christchurch earthquake insurance specialist says a critical report of the Earthquake Commission is a good start but doesn't go far enough. The report by an independent ministerial advisor says EQC staff have no confidence in their own data, and that the organisation needs to dramatically improve the way it communicates with claimants. The advisor, Christine Stevenson, said EQC was unable even to tell her how many claims it's still dealing with from the Canterbury earthquakes. Dean Lester is a Christchurch insurance advocate and claims preparer. He talks to Susie Ferguson.
As the government eyes an EQC overhaul, Christchurch earthquake insurance specialist Dean Lester wants to see action, not hear more empty words. This after a report yesterday found EQC staff had no confidence in their own data, and the organisation needed to drastically improve its treatment of claimants. The minister in charge of the Earthquake Commission is calling for immediate changes to the organisation.
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.
So what's the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern got to look forward to when she's back at work? Construction firms falling over, business confidence at a nine-year low, unemployment rising and New Zealand is desperate need of infrastructure to cope with its 10 percent population shock in the last five years. Welcome back Ms Ardern! Ebert Construction is the latest construction company to go belly-up. The Panelists consider why, when the country needs new buildings the most, construction companies aren't making the grade? Peter Silcock of Civil Contractors talks bout the failing of processes and business models used by building firms. 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 Kingsland Business Society in Auckland is offering free child minding for couples who go out for the evening in the suburb. United States federal air marshals now follow seemingly ordinary citizens not suspected of a crime, nor on any terrorist watch list. It's a new surveillance programme called "Quiet Skies" and it collects extensive information on travellers based on their behaviour on flights and especailly in airports.
Opposition leader Simon Bridges is accusing the government of a spending blowout. He says the government plans to increase borrowing by $17 billion over the next four years. Mr Bridges tells Gyles Beckford the total is about what National had to borrow to steer the country through the Global Financial Crisis and the Canterbury earthquakes.
Some central Christchurch businesses are having to close their doors, blaming a tough economic climate. Retail spending in the central city is only 80 percent of what it was before the devastating 2011 earthquakes, while the number of people living in the area has shrunk by a third.
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.
KiwiRail's Coastal Pacific scenic journey will roll again between Picton and Christchurch from December 1, two years after the service was put on hold because of the devastating Kaikoura earthquake. KiwiRail's sales manager Alan Piper tells Susie Ferguson the details.
With Christchurch having its first real taste of winter , the Earthquake Commission is telling Christchurch residents that its focus is on emergency repairs.
Two months on from the Christchurch earthquake, the remains of nine people are still to be formally identified.
Consumer confidence has stabilised after falling to a two year low in March, following the Christchurch earthquake.
Shopping or retail therapy is helping some Christchurch residents return to normality after the February earthquake.
Despite being homeless following the February earthquake, the Canterbury Crusaders have made it through to the finals of the Super Rugby tournament.
The Government seems likely to face higher costs as it looks to strengthen the country's infrastructure in the wake of the Canterbury earthquakes.
In her valedictory speech to Parliament, the Christchurch East MP Lianne Dalziel said she would not be leaving Parliament if not for the Canterbury earthquakes.
'Is this the Brighter Future?': Rachel Graham looks at how the Government's decisions have impacted the lives of people in Christchurch.
Christchurch residents are pouring cold water on the Earthquake Recovery Minister's efforts to celebrate post-quake recovery in the city.
A Waikato primary school refuses to back down and re-enroll a violent eleven year old and the country's largest general insurer defends changes to home insurance policies in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes.
The Earthquake Commission has been labelled obstructive after it demanded 24 thousand dollars to provide documents under an Official Information Act request.
The Canterbury earthquakes succeeded in all but destroying modern-day Christchurch, but from the rubble has emerged a surprising bonus - an insight into the city's history.
Two years ago today a seven-point-one magnitude earthquake shook Canterbury.
It all started two years ago today at 4:36 in the morning, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook Canterbury.
In the wake of the February disaster, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority was set up to coordinate the overall recovery.
Jane Bowron is a newspaper columnist who lived in the red zone at the time of the earthquake.
Community leaders in Christchurch are angry to learn the Earthquake Recovery Authority spent more than three-and-a-half million dollars on communications in the past financial year.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority has spent more than three-and-a-half million dollars on communications in the past year. The Earthquake Recovery Authority chief executive is Roger Sutton.
The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission says it will not re-open its inquiry into the CTV building collapse, despite fresh allegations against the building's construction manager.
Christchurch's first office and retail development since the earthquake gets the go ahead.
A lawyer for the husband of a woman who died in the Christchurch earthquake says a coming inquest will show rifts within the Fire Service did hamper rescue efforts.
The Maori Council confirms it will go to court to try and stop the partial sales of power companies. Advocates for sexual assault victims say the police have been too slow to improve the way they deal with complaints and concern that management problems at the Fire Service hampered rescue efforts after Canterbury's deadly earthquake.
