Top Stories for Monday 17 October 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Post analysis of last night's All Black victory over the Wallabies and a look at the challenges ahead against Les Bleus; various looks at the Rena including mitigation of environmental impact and a 'please explain' summons to the lessees by the Transport Minister and; the Canterbury earthquake's Royal Commission hearings begin.

Royal Commission hearings start in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Royal Commission hearings into the Canterbury earthquakes started in Christchurch today, with a indication that questions will be raised about whether some of those trapped in collapsed buildings could have survived.

Family of CTV victim questions rebuilding in CBD

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A woman of a relative who died in the CTV building in the February earthquake says more needs to be done to identify unknown faultlines before rebuilding work can start in Christchurch.

Potential asbestos forces CERA to check paperwork

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority is now double checking all of its paperwork following fears earthquake rubble dumped in a Christchurch land fill could have been contaminated by asbestos.

GNS faces tough questions at Royal Commission hearing

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Scientists from GNS Science have faced tough criticism at the Royal Commission into the Canterbury earthquakes, being accused of funneling resources into the wrong areas and giving vague advice on earthquake risks.

Broken River

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Days after Christchurch was devastated by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, Simon Morton traverses the city, using the Avon River as his route, and finds everyone has a story to tell.

Broken River - extended version

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Days after the city of Christchurch was devastated by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, This Way Up's presenter Simon Morton traverses the city using the Avon River as his route. Travelling on a bicycle from the source of the Avon in the West to Heathcote Estuary in the East, where the Avon meets the Pacific, everyone has a story to tell.

GNS's quake risk assessment questioned by US expert

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An American quake expert has criticised the risk assessment done following the Canterbury earthquake, and suggested authorities are being too cautious.

GNS questioned on amount of warning given prior to quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The warnings, or lack of them from the government's scientists about the likely size of aftershocks following the first Canterbury earthquake have been a focus of the Royal Commission into the quakes.

Quake scientists call for more testing of soil before building

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Scientists are calling for more ground testing to be carried out before reconstruction starts in earthquake devastated Christchurch.

Expert says developers should be required to submit soil rpts

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A geotechnical expert from the United States has told the Royal Commission into the Canterbury Earthquakes, developers should be required to submit soil reports before building on land prone to liquefaction.

Christchurch council grilled over buildings at quake commission

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch City Council has faced tough questioning at the Royal Commission into the Canterbury earthquakes over its role in ensuring buildings are earthquake strengthened.

No insulation for earthquake-damaged homes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The company hired by the Government to carry out earthquake repairs in Canterbury is refusing to install insulation at the same time as it replaces old cladding on houses.

Earthquake documentary opens in Christchurch cinemas

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first full-length film documenting the lives of those affected by the Canterbury earthquakes had its premiere in Christchurch last night.

Ballantynes celebrate reopening of Christchurch store

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Two weeks after re-opening, the landmark Christchurch department store, Ballantynes has thanked staff, contractors and customers for their hard work and loyalty since the February earthquake forced it to close.

Arts festival heralds return of culture to Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first major arts event to be held in Christchurch since the February earthquake kicks off today.

Rebuilding central Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Bob Parker, Christchurch mayor and Peter Townsend, chief executive of the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce. The Christchurch City Council has unveiled its $2 billion vision for the rebuild of earthquake-hit central Christchurch.

Insurance cancelled for landmark Chch buildings

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Insurance cover has been cancelled for Christchurch's historic Arts Centre and its Catholic Cathedral which were both badly damaged in the February earthquake.

Skills shortage looms ahead of Christchurch rebuild

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Members of the building industry say a serious skills shortage is looming as the Government releases new estimates of the number of homes seriously damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes.

Earthquake funding shock

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Principal of Banks Ave School, Murray Edlin, and Canterbury Primary Principals Association president, John Bangma, discuss the issue of earthquake damaged schools in property repairs funding shock.

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.

Checkpoint Top Stories for Wednesday 31 August 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

More than 800 medals are stolen from the War Memorial Museum in Waiouru. Shares in State Owned Enterprises will be capped at 10 percent and gaps in the government's insurance cover will leave many schools damaged by the earthquakes in Canterbury out of pocket.

Inquest looks at PGC building collapse in February's quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first details surrounding the deaths of 18 people in the PGC building collapse in February's earthquake have been revealed at an inquest in Christchurch.

Family of quake victim call for action over access to Lyttelton

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The family of a man killed while trying to reach his family after the February earthquake in Canterbury wants the Christchurch City Council to ensure people in Lyttelton are not cut off again.

Science - Earth Science

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Erosion to earthquakes with geologist and paleontologist Dr Hamish Campbell from GNS science. Chatham Islands geology and it's links with Christchurch and Canterbury.

Ballantynes bus

Audio, Radio New Zealand

We join Deb, Vincy and the rest of the Ballantynes crew on a coach trip south from Christchurch to its Timaru store. Its flagship store on City Mall has been shut since the February earthquake, so twice a week a convoy of coaches full of loyal customers does the 350km round trip.

Some families choose to keep quake inquests open

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Several families of Christchurch earthquake victims have chosen to keep their inquests open, despite the main hearing finishing up today.

Johnny Moore : playing favourites

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Johnny Moore is the owner of the Goodbye Blue Monday bar in Christchurch, which has been closed since the 22 February earthquake. He talks to Kim about the turbulent times since then and his career in the hospitality industry.

Jane Bowron

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Columnist on her observations on life in Christchurch after the September and February earthquakes.

Chambers at 241

Audio, Radio New Zealand

From the ashes of the earthquakes which have destroyed so much of Christchurch over the past year, are starting to rise new venues and new opportunities for artisits.