Christchurch couple reflects on quake's seventh anniversary

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Javier and Jackie Garcia Knight look back on the earthquake that changed Christchurch and New Zealand forever.

Southern Response quake claimants close to settling

Audio, Radio New Zealand

It is understood 26 Christchurch earthquake claimants who took class actiona against Southern Response are close to reaching an out of court settlement.

Much beloved Victoria square re-opens in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Victoria Square, the slightly less famous cousin of nearby Cathedral Square was re-opened today following $7.5 million worth of earthquake repairs.

Limitation periods for Chch quake due to expire despite 'bloody mess'

Audio, Radio New Zealand

As IAG and Southern Response's limitation periods for claims resulting from the February, 2011 earthquake nears, Christchurch lawyer Peter Woods says the current situation is a "bloody mess".

Christchurch's new QE2 sports complex opens

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury earthquakes damaged the facility beyond use, and almost six years after it was demolished, a new facility known as Taiora QE2 has risen from the rubble.

Canterbury homeowners ‘systematically short-changed’ by insurer

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Architect Bob Burnett is part of a class action group yet to resolve claims with Southern Response. The group argues the insurer, which was established to settle outstanding AMI claims, has systematically short-changed them. Mr Burnett said the insurer had done more damage to his home than had been done in the earthquakes. The 40 members of the class action group head to court next Wednesday.

6.2 earthquake felt throughout central NZ

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake was felt widely throughout the central New Zealand and as far south as Christchurch today. We spoke to people throughout the country, who described what impact the quake had on them.

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.

New Canterbury earthquake help hub opens

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The government is hoping a new one-stop shop will help homeowners in Canterbury still struggling with insurance claims, but as Logan Church reports, this isn't the first initiative of its kind in the quake-rattled city.

Canterbury teachers on strike

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Primary and intermediate teachers marching in Christchurch echoed the message of their colleagues further north - they also want pay increases and improved working conditions. But they say that their classrooms are even more complex as they continue to deal with the effects of the earthquakes - and the associated trauma.

EQC claimant: 'Nothing could make up for what we've lost'

Audio, Radio New Zealand

EQC claimant Anita explains how she's still battling the Crown agency, years after her home was damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. She says her floor is still uneven because the scope of works didn't state for it to be "flat".

‘There is no closure with EQC’ - minister

Audio, Radio New Zealand

It's almost eight years to the day since the first Christchurch earthquake, and as anyone who lives in Christchurch knows, some insurance claims are still in dispute. Dodgy repairs are still being discovered and previously undiscovered damage is being found. Earthquake Commission minister Megan Woods says as problems emerge, people can come back and ask for re-repairs or have their home looked at. But just how much money is in the National Disaster Fund?

Earthquakes front of mind in Christchurch eight years on

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch homeowners are still battling insurers eight years after the first major earthquake. Mike and Fran Dodge say their insurer AA has not honoured their insurance policy, and now court seems to be the only option left.

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.

What to look out for when buying a house in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Hundreds of Christchurch homeowners have discovered extensive damage to the on-sold properties they purchased after the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Licenced Building Practictioner Dan Paltridge talks to Logan Church about what people need to look out for, and what they need to do before buying a home in the city.

Christchurch’s new $92m library opens to much fanfare

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch’s new $92m central city library opened today – replacing the former library which was damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes. But as Logan Church discovers, with sewing suites, a TV wall and a music studio, this library is home to more than rows and rows of books. 

Frustration mounts in Christchurch over 7 years battling EQC

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Nearly seven years on from the Christchurch earthquake, some quake damaged homeowners with unresolved insurance claims say they are being driven to the point of complete exhaustion.

Chch family has little faith EQC settlement will be forthcoming

Audio, Radio New Zealand

EQC said it would provide the Ross family with a cash settlement by February 20, almost seven years to the day since the Christchurch earthquake. Now it's commissioning another rebuild estimate.

EQC botches rebuild of quake-damaged Chch home - twice

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Nikki Ross is still waiting on an insurance settlement almost seven years after her family home was damaged in the February, 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Trish Keith from EQC says they're hoping to offer the family a settlement in the next three weeks.

Christchurch quake victims remembered at memorial service

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The names of each individual killed by the Christchurch earthquake were read one after the other at a memorial service to commemorate the quake's seventh anniversary today.

EQC settles with homeowner on quake's 7th anniversary

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Canterbury woman has finally settled an insurance claim seven years to the day her family home was damaged in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.  

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.

EQC considering legal action against Fletcher Construction

Audio, Radio New Zealand

EQC CEO Sid Miller says the agency is currently defending 316 legal cases over the Christchurch earthquakes, and is considering legal action against Fletcher's for its project management of the repairs.

EQC Chch scopes 'weren't 100% accurate'

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A former works manager for Fletcher EQR says assessors didn't check behind walls or under floors to examine the true extent of damage caused by the Christchurch earthquakes because there wasn't enough time.

Further claims of spying by Thompson and Clark

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Thompson and Clark hasn't just been paid by the government to spy on Greenpeace and earthquake claimants in Christchurch. It's also been monitoring the activities of another three activist groups, including Oil Free Wellington.

Canterbury mayors luke warm on new rate for stadium

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Canterbury mayors say their ratepayers are already paying for earthquake recovery, roading, water and storm water infrastructure, so a shiny new Christchurch stadium is way down the priority list.

EQC accused of ignoring true extent of damage to Chch homes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch man says EQC misled him about the earthquake damage to his home and deliberately under-scoped the repairs that were needed. David Townshend said his warnings were ignored.

On-sold nightmare: EQC offers $48,000 despite $260,000 repair bill

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Georgina Hanafin says EQC has offered her $48,000 to fix her house, which has a repair bill of $260,000. She also has a mortgage of $300,000 for the house she purchased after the Christchurch earthquakes.

Chch homeowners waiting for repairs 7 years after quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

It's been more than seven years since the fatal 6.3 earthquake broke thousands of Christchurch homes, and yet many homeowners are still waiting for repairs, re-repairs, or to settle with EQC.

Who will pay bill for new Christchurch quake repairs?

Audio, Radio New Zealand

More than 600 Christchurch home-owners face a wait of up to 18 months before its decided who foots the bill for earthquake repairs that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The problem - first revealed on Checkpoint in March - is that owners bought homes thinking all quake damage had been identified and fixed - only to find more problems that weren't addressed. The people affected cannot claim on their insurance - because the damage pre-dates them buying the house - and any grant from the Earthquake Commission is capped. EQC has publicly apologised to those affected but the Minster, Megan Woods, says it's unclear who will pay for the needed repairs.