Christchurch tap water safe to drink again
Audio, Radio New Zealand
The instruction to boil water that's been in place across Christchurch since the 22 February earthquake has been lifted.
The instruction to boil water that's been in place across Christchurch since the 22 February earthquake has been lifted.
Farmers and rural businesses have been combining their efforts to bring desperately needed fresh water supplies to earthquake shattered Christchurch.
For the latest on the damage caused by Monday's earthquakes, we're joined by the Christchurch City Council's water and waste unit manager, Mark Christison.
Most parts of Christchurch damaged by last month's 6.3 earthquake now have power and water.
A week after the devastating earthquake many are still needing assistance to get essential provisions such as food and water.
Thousands in Christchurch still without power and water supply after yesterday's earthquakes and the government will soon decide which suburbs must be abandoned.
The Canterbury earthquakes have forced the Government to look more closely at the strength of the country's transport, water, sewerage, energy and communication networks.
More now on the the Government's move to sure-up the country's transport, water, sewerage, energy and communication networks in the wake of the Canterbury earthquakes.
With many people in Christchurch still without power and water and the streets covered in a thick layer of silt, getting clean clothes is proving difficult.
Damaged properties, water, sewerage and the demolition of buildings in the city centre are first on the list for the new man in charge of the recovery operation in Canterbury.
In Christchurch power is back on for all but a small number of customers after Monday's earthquakes, but the city council is warning it could be six months before water supplies return to normal.
Its now seven weeks since the February earthquake. Normality is returning to Christchurch, with most sewerage lines fixed and water no longer needing to be boiled before drinking. But that doesn't apply to everyone.
One of the great community initiative's in Canterbury is the Rangiora Earthquake Express - where urgent help is still needed. These Rangiora volunteers have been up and running for sometime now, with daily runs into the Christchurch suburbs most desperately in need of water and other essential supplies.
Earthquake bus survivor, Mike Ardagh - Christchurch Hospital, Reporter Erina O'Donohue live from Christchurch, Where to obtain water, Murray McCully thanks international community, Cowles Stadium welfare centre closed, Man escapes from 12th floor of Forsyth Barr building, Aussie medics set up field hospital, Schools need significant rebuilding and Fourteen supermarkets closed in Christchurch.
Sixteen-year-old Sam Mackwell and his mates from St Thomas of Canterbury College have created a device that uses boiling water to charge cellphones, power a light and run a radio. They came up with the idea for the small generator after the first earthquake in Canterbury in September when electricity supplies were cut to much of the city. They call the device"The Lion"and hope to sell it in retail stores soon.
When the 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch at 2:20 on Monday afternoon Barry Ross was outside his home at Godley Head on the Port Hills, where is he is the Department of Conservation caretaker. Barry's house is thought to be the closest to the epicentre that day and such was the force of the quake he was thrown to the ground and some of the cliff nearby fell away. He lost power and water for a few days but now he's back home, clearing up and determined to get on with life.
Questions to Ministers 1. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE to the Minister of Finance: What steps has the Government taken to make better use of its balance sheet to boost growth and jobs? 2. Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: In light of her answer on behalf of the Prime Minister yesterday, that there is child poverty in New Zealand, what is the estimated cost of child poverty per year? 3. KATRINA SHANKS to the Minister for Communications and Information Technology: What progress has the Government made on rolling out ultra-fast broadband in Wellington? 4. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Health: Have hospital admissions for children with respiratory diseases and infectious diseases increased over the last three years; if so, by how much? 5. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister of Agriculture: Will the Government adopt the OECD's 2011 recommendation that New Zealand implement water charging for agricultural uses? 6. SUE MORONEY to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her commitment on The Nation on 20 August 2011, that low and middle income families would not pay more for 20 hours of early childhood education in the next three years if the Government is re-elected? 7. Hon TAU HENARE to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What reports has she received on the latest benefit figures? 8. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Transport: Does he endorse the transport elements of the draft Auckland Plan; if not, why not? 9. NICKY WAGNER to the Minister of Health: What steps has the Government taken to improve outpatient and other health services to the people of Canterbury following the earthquakes? 10. STUART NASH to the Minister of Finance: Does the Government's privatisation plan include parameters which would cause it to cancel sales, such as low sale prices or high dividend yields; if so, what are the parameters? 11. NIKKI KAYE to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What announcements has he made regarding the igovt scheme, and increasing online access to government services? 12. Hon RICK BARKER to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs: When can veterans expect a full response from the Government in response to the Law Commission report titled A New Support Scheme for Veterans: A Report on the Review of the War Pensions Act 1954 that was presented to Parliament on 1 June 2010? Questions to Members 1. CLARE CURRAN to the Chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee: Has he requested any written submissions on the petition of George Laird, signed by nearly 14,000 people, calling the Government to retain the Hillside and Woburn workshops?