Focus on Politics for 4 March 2011
Audio, Radio New Zealand
In the wake of last week's devastating earthquake in Christchurch, political parties put aside partisan differences as they offered support to the city.
In the wake of last week's devastating earthquake in Christchurch, political parties put aside partisan differences as they offered support to the city.
Working alongside the Earthquake Authority will be a cross party forum of local members of parliament.
The country's political parties are uncertain about whether a special tax might be needed to help pay to rebuild Christchurch after this week's devastating earthquake.
Opposition parties fear a new department to control the rebuilding of Christchurch will be Wellington-centric and not allow the community to have its fair say in decisions. The Labour Party's spokesperson on the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, Clayton Cosgrove, spoke to our political editor Brent Edwards.
On the eve of the memorial service for the Christchurch earthquake, the Labour party is laying into the Government's handling of the city's ditching as a Rugby World Cup venue.