Labour says govt cuts will hurt low income earners

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Prime Minister has signalled an election year austerity budget in May because of the Canterbury earthquakes. John Key says the Government needs to cut spending because of quake-related costs and a reduced tax take.

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.

New learning hubs working in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A new way to get students left classroom-less by the Christchurch earthquake back into school is proving successful.

Reports swirl of new head of Earthquake Recovery Authority

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A senior Wellington public servant is reported to be the new head of the authority that will oversee the Canterbury earthquake recovery effort.

Former military man tipped to head recovery effort

Audio, Radio New Zealand

News that a former military man, Major General Martyn Dunne, is expected to head the first stage of earthquake recovery in Christchurch has reignited debate about how that recovery should be managed.

Insight for 27 March 2011 - Quake Health Services

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Health correspondent Karen Brown visited Christchurch Hospital a week after the disaster that resulted in patients being resuscitated by torchlight. She reviews the immediate impact of the earthquake on the region's health services, how they’re picking themselves up and what lies ahead.

New Zealanders in London converge to support Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Thousands of New Zealanders in London have converged for two events to support earthquake-stricken Christchurch.

Thousands attend Westminister Christchurch memorial

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A memorial service for the 166 victims of the Christchurch earthquake has been held at Westminster Abbey. Attended by the Prince of Wales and the High Commissioner for New Zealander, the ceremony was led by the Dean of Westminster.

Doubt in Christchurch new earthquake agency worthwhile

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some residents in one of Christchurch's worst affected suburbs doubt a new government agency will help their earthquake recovery. An announcement about a new department is expected within days but some of those still severely affected question the setting up of a new bureaucracy.

Top Stories for Monday 28 March 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Labour MPs say it's important party sticks to strategy, Man shot dead by police near Napier, Thousands attend Westminister Christchurch memorial, Twickenham packed for Crusaders vs Sharks match, Doubt in Christchurch new earthquake agency worthwhile, and Canterbury aged care firms want certainty; families want beds.

Christchurch schools post-quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

There are fears that Christchurch secondary students' educations will continue to suffer as their school days are condensed in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Christchurch City Seafood Market may have to lay off staff

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some Christchurch business owners are criticising the government for winding down the earthquake support package. The Government has extended the package, which pays employees of quake effected business a wage subsidy for two more weeks.

Christchurch businesses says roll-back of support too soon

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some Christchurch businesses are accusing the government of winding down its earthquake assistance programme too soon.

Uncertain future for Christchurch's hospitality sector

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Among those businesses most affected by the end of the welfare scheme are cafes, restaurants and bars. 100 such businesses have closed in the central city alone because of the earthquake.

Employers and unions say too soon to trim welfare scheme

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Employers and unions in Christchurch say the Government is moving too quickly to reduce emergency welfare payments in the wake of the February earthquake.

Emergency charger

Audio, Radio New Zealand

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.

New earthquake authority announced

Audio, Radio New Zealand

"Extraordinary powers for extraordinary times."The Government says that's what it's giving to the new Christchurch earthquake authority it's set up to lead the rebuild.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government is promising the new authority set up to lead Christchurch's rebuilding will listen to local people.

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.

MPs pledge no politics but cracks already showing

Audio, Radio New Zealand

MPs are pledging not to let politics get in the way of helping rebuild earthquake-devastated Christchurch.

Bob Parker looks forward to working with Earthquake Authority

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch mayor, Bob Parker joined Morning Report.

Christchurch councillor worries residents may be by-passed

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch City Councillor is worried the wishes of local residents and the council could be by-passed once the Earthquake Recovery Authority takes over rebuilding the city.

Will Christchurch cross-party forum put politics aside?

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Working alongside the Earthquake Authority will be a cross party forum of local members of parliament.

Christchurch schools make it to Maadi Cup despite quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

All Christchurch secondary schools involved in rowing have made it to the annual Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro in Waikato despite major setbacks caused by the February earthquake.

The new Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority - CERA

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Public and electoral law professor at Otago University, Andrew Geddis.

The Naked Baker

Audio, Radio New Zealand

One Christchurch business has found just the right ingredients to rise again."The Naked Baker"gave away all of their cakes and buns and baked goods to the people of North Brighton after the earthquake on February 22nd. Co-owners Darren Carlaw and Andrew Snee started the bakery, coffee roastery and mobile food business 8 years ago. The cafe had to shut for more than 2 weeks to clean up all the damage . They didn't know what to expect when the business re-opened. What they discovered is that business is up by 30% thanks in part to their ability to bring their coffee and cakes to the many offices that have moved out of the center of town.

Jetstar cutting services partly due to ChCh quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The budget airline Jetstar is cutting back on some of its flights out of Christchurch partly because of the earthquake.

Evening Business for 30 March 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Tourism is in for a short, sharp shock as fewer people visit New Zealand after the earthquakes in Japan and Christchurch and Genesis Energy says customers have no one to blame but themselves when electricity prices spiked last Saturday.

Missing may not be identified after quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The police say it may not be possible to identify the remains of 12 victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Unidentified quake victims may get Erebus-style mass grave

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Chief Coroner says the remains of 12 victims of the Christchurch earthquake may never be identified.