Midday News for 5 August 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee says its taking too long to consent new sub divisions in Christchurch. The sharemarket and dollar fall following turmoil on world markets.

Earthquake Commission looks at increasing size of fraud team

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Commission is looking at increasing the size of the team investigating fraudalent claims in Canterbury.

Christchurch unveils $2 billion central city rebuild

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch has unveiled an ambitious $2 billion plan to re-create the central city as a green, people friendly, low rise zone, inside a garden. Almost six months on from the destructive February earthquake most of the centre still sits cordoned off, and half the buildings need to come down.

Snow means students miss out on precious exam prep

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Heavy snow is forcing schools to close across the country. It's a double blow for Canterbury students who have already lost weeks of precious school time due to the earthquakes.

Caravan dwellers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

When Christchurch couple Maree Mockford and Bruce Vincent's home was badly damaged by the February earthquake they shifted into a caravan on their property. Six months later they're still roughing it, using a chemical toilet and showering off site.

District councillor backs Kaiapoi to pull through

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People in the Canterbury town of Kaiapoi say they are determined to preserve their community despite learning yesterday hundreds of earthquake-damaged homes will have to go.

Another Christchurch hotel will be pulled down

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Another landmark hotel in Christchurch has been condemned because of earthquake damage.

Authority has power to stop land prices sky-rocketing

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority says it could step into the property market to stop land prices sky-rocketing but is confident it won't have to.

Govt reconsiders legal aid for quake families

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Attorney General, Chris Finlayson, says he'll reconsider funding legal representation for the families of the victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Govt reconsiders legal aid for quake families

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Attorney General, Chris Finlayson, says he'll reconsider funding legal representation for the families of the victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Quake families say lack of legal help leaves them without voice

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A spokesperson for the families of the victims of the Christchurch earthquake says without legal representation their voice will not be heard during the Royal Commission.

A third lawyer to help families at quake Royal Commission

Audio, Radio New Zealand

After an appeal from the families of Christchurch earthquake victims, a third lawyer is being appointed to the Royal Commission, to work specifically with them.

Famous pie recipe under hammer for earthquake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

In June, the Hororata hotel in Canterbury closed after it became clear there was no economic way to repair damage caused by the September earthquake.

Feature Guest - Roger Sutton

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority boss Roger Sutton.

4pm News Bulletin

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Another substantial earthquake in Christchurch

Christchurch has been hit by a swarm of earthquakes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first one struck just before 2 this afternoon and measured 5 point 8 on the Richter scale, and was eight kilometres deep.

The latest from Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The head of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Roger Sutton is with us now.

Head of CERA describes view of Christchurch from the air

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The head of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Roger Sutton, flew over the quake-hit city after today's first shake.

The Panel Christmas Special

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Panel Christmas Special in downtown Auckland atop the Tyler Street Garage, featuring many of the regular panellists from 2011. Due to a Checkpoint special covering the Christchurch earthquake, this was not broadcast.

The Vault - Radio New Zealand and the Christchurch quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Radio New Zealand has had to abandon the Christchurch building that was our base and the home of Sound Archives - Nga Taonga Korero. In this edition of The Vault; Deborah Nation draws on recordings made on the day an earthquake finally evicted her and the other people there.

Bob Parker on the Christchurch earthquake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

We're joined by the mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker.

Parklans residents shaken by earthquakes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Residents in the Christchurch suburb of Parklands say their area should be made a red-zone.

Small band of campanologists keep bellringing alive

Audio, Radio New Zealand

With the silencing of the Cathedral bells in Christchurch following February's earthquake there are now just six places in New Zealand where a full set of bells can be rung.

Quakes an excuse to weaken RMA- green groups

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Environmental groups say Canterbury's earthquakes are being used as an excuse to weaken the Resource Management Act.

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.

EQC expected to face tough questions in performance review

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Commission is expected to face tough questioning when its handling of the Canterbury Earthquakes is reviewed early next year.

Call for urgent changes to building standards

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquake Royal Commission is calling for changes to building standards as a matter of urgency.

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.

Cathedral Square opens to public for first time since quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch people will be allowed to walk through the heart of the city this weekend for the first time since February's devastating earthquake.

The Week in Review - week ending 25 November 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A review of the week's news including: Last frantic days of Election '11, a High Court judge refuses to rule on the "teacup tape", 2,000 attend Pike River Mine ceremony on first anniversary of explosions, former Pike River employee tells Royal Commission he warned of explosion "at any time", record numbers of New Zealanders heading to Australia, operation to remove containers from Rena battles high winds, Christchurch people to walk through city centre for first time since February's earthquake and Takamore case heads back to High Court.