Government books deteriorate

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government's books are continuing to deteriorate as the cost of the Christchurch earthquake is added to a rising operating deficit.

The government's quake safety deadline

Audio, Radio New Zealand

With Andrew Cleland - Chief Executive of the Institution of Professional Engineers NZ. Dr Maan Alkaisi - Co-chair Christchurch Earthquake Families Group. Maurice Williamson - Minister for Building and Construction.

Earthquake minister outlines government's response

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, is leading the government's response to the latest round of earthquakes.

Canterbury homeowners question government survey

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Canterbury homeowners are questioning the validity of a survey which was supposed to independently test the quality of earthquake repairs.

Government package for workers and businesses

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government has announced a 120-million dollar finance package to help workers and businesses hit by last week's Christchurch earthquake.

Canterbury quakes behind record Government deficit

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury earthquakes are behind a big blowout in the Government's deficit which has grown to a record 18-point-4 billion dollars.

Homeowners unhappy about Government payout scheme

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Homeowners in Christchurch have told earthquake authorities they face heavy losses under the Government's property payout scheme.

Government makes concessions on quake recovery legislation

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Meanwhile, the Government has made concessions on its Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority legislation after complaints from the Labour Party.

Government insurance gap will leave schools out of pocket

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Gaps in the government's insurance cover will leave many schools damaged by the earthquakes in Canterbury out of pocket.

Government welcomes calls for new building standards

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government is welcoming a report from the Canterbury Earthquake Royal Commission that calls for urgent changes to building standards.

Quake firms to seek government wage subsidy

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government will be asked to provide special funding to help save small Christchurch businesses facing ruin after the earthquake.

Christchurch earthquake anniversary: Government slowed down recovery from …

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A prominent Christchurch property investor says the Government's anchor projects meant to help rebuild the city faster, has instead slowed it down. After the 2011 earthquake, the Government launched a recovery plan for the CBD, which had 16 anchor projects designed to spur on the rebuild. However, many have been plagued by delays and are still unfinished. Property investor Antony Gough told RNZ reporter Anan Zaki that unlike the Government, it was the private sector which ploughed ahead with the rebuild.

Government sets up package for Southern Response claimants

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A lawyer acting for Christchurch home-owners short changed in earthquake settlements says a new plan announced by the government is likely to run into trouble. Last year in a landmark case, the High Court found the government's claim settlement agency, Southern Response, misled and deceived Karl and Alison Dodds. It ordered the government to pay the couple nearly $180,000. The government has now set up a package for other Southern Response claimants who settled before October 2014. Its estimated about 3000 people will be eligible to benefit. But most of them are already taking part in a class action led by Brendan and Colleen Ross. Their lawyer Grant Cameron speaks to Corin Dann.

Government appoints experts to look at building collapses

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government has appointed the panel of experts that will investigate why so many buildings collapsed during Christchurch's February earthquake.

Japanese disaster problem for NZ government deficit

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Japanese earthquake may have an impact on plans by the government to borrow more to meet the earthquake rebuilding in Christchurch.

Government considering new law to cover natural disasters.

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government is considering introducing a new law to cover any natural disaster of a similar size to the Canterbury earthquake.

Government to unveil quake economic package today

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Economics Correspondent Nigel Stirling talks about expectations from the Government's economic package to be announced this afternoon to help meet the cost of the Christchurch earthquake.

China asking NZ Government for quake compensation

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Chinese Government is calling on New Zealand to give special compensation to the families of Chinese people killed in the Christchurch earthquake.

Government accused of slash and burn approach

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Opposition is accusing the Government of a slash-and-burn approach to spending, in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake. Prime Minister John Key says he wants no new spending in this year's Budget, and admits that will mean cuts in some areas.

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.

Labour accuses Government of underfunding skills training

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Labour Party has accused the Government of sitting on money set aside to provide skills training needed for the Canterbury earthquake rebuild.

Brownlee defends the way the government has dealt with crisis

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, has defended the government's handling of the Christchurch City Council's consenting crisis in Parliament this afternoon.

Earthquake Authority gets wide powers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A stand-alone government department will be vested with the wide ranging powers the Government gave itself after last year's quake, to oversee recovery efforts in Canterbury.

Government to pay wages subsidy to Canterbury employers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The government's announced a $350 a week subsidy for some workers who have lost their income due to the Canterbury earthquake.

Labour says government should keep open mind on EQC

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Labour is calling for the Government to rethink how the Earthquake Commission insures homeowners, in the aftermath of the disaster in Canterbury.

Government moves to sure-up the country's infrastructure

Audio, Radio New Zealand

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.

Law Society says government giving itself too much power

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Law Society has added its voice to condemnation the government is giving itself far too much power by passing the emergency Canterbury earthquake legislation.

Government wage subsidy will help earthquake hit businesses

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A government package to help small businesses affected by Monday's earthquake will help according to one of the groups administering it , Enterprise North Canterbury, which has been through it before.

Labour MPs pressure government to release land details

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Labour's four MPs in Christchurch are stepping up the pressure on the Government to front up quickly about what earthquake damaged land has to be abandoned.

Cantabrians anxious to see how government will help

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Businesses, farmers and workers in Canterbury are anxiously waiting to see what more the government will do to help after the 7.1 earthquake that devastated the region on Saturday morning.