Fire Service busy in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Fire Service still has a big job to do in Christchurch following the February 22nd earthquake, but their role is slowly changing.

Efforts to save quake damaged buildings

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch MP is working with a group trying to prevent historic buildings damaged in last month's earthquake from being torn down unnecessarily.

Grim picture for the Capital if quake hits

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch earthquake is prompting Wellington residents to prepare for the possibility that their city could be struck by a major tremor.

Prince to speak at next week's memorial service

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Prime Minister says Prince William will speak at next week's national memorial service being held for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Rural GPs share quake stories and lessons at conference

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Rural GPs from the South Island have been sharing their experiences of dealing with the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake at a conference in Wellington.

Christchurch residents pick up smoking again after earthquake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Many people in Christchurch have taken up smoking again or are going through more cigarettes a day since earthquakes began rattling the region.

EQC deploys rapid assessment teams in Canterbury

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Rapid assessment teams are being sent out across quake hit Canterbury with the Earthquake Commission promising that up to 180-thousand homes will be inspected within the next eight weeks.

HB farmers donate over 350 stock to raise $40K for chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Sheep and cattle farmers in Hawke's bay have rallied round to help raise over 40 thousand dollars for the Christchurch Earthquake Fund.

Preparation work paid off - ex Civil Defence controller

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A former Civil Defence controller for Canterbury says years of planning to reduce the impact of a major earthquake in Christchurch has proven its worth.

Jobs lost as Chch yarn plant closes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Almost 200 workers in Christchurch have lost their jobs with the closure of the Canterbury Spinners Plant - which the owners say was so badly damaged in last month's earthquake that it is beyond repair.

Law Society warns of backlog of cases in Chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Law Society is warning disruption to services following last month's earthquake in Christchurch is likely to lead to a massive bottleneck of court cases.

Firsthand quake experience for US PhD student

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A PhD student from the United States who moved to Canterbury to study earthquakes says his firsthand experience in Christchurch has been extremely useful.

New Zealander survives 3 big quakes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A New Zealander who was in Christchurch for both the September and February earthquakes, has spoken about experiencing her third major quake - this time in Japan.

Finance Minister says govt will borrow to cover quake costs

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Finance Minister says the Government will cover the ten billion dollar cost of the Christchurch earthquake by borrowing more rather than cutting spending or putting up taxes.

Labour tries to make political hay out of World Cup loss

Audio, Radio New Zealand

On the eve of the memorial service for the Christchurch earthquake, the Labour party is laying into the Government's handling of the city's ditching as a Rugby World Cup venue.

Christchurch girls' school surprises Polyfest organisers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch kapa haka group took to the stage in Auckland today, surprising organisers who didn't expect they'd be able to perform after last month's earthquake.

Scientist explains 'trampoline effect' in Chch quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Scientists studying last month's earthquake in Christchurch say the shaking was exacerbated by a slapdown or trampoline effect that made the land under the city bounce up and down.

Business owners angry over Christchurch CBD access

Audio, Radio New Zealand

More than a houndred people with businesses in Christchurch's CBD have stormed a cordon into the Red Zone, in frustration at still not being allowed access to their buildings - one month on from the earthquake.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Auckland Council votes two to one to fund extra RWC games

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Auckland ratepayers are to pay up to almost three million dollars to host three extra rugby world cup games relocated from earthquake damaged Christchurch.

New audio of Christchurch quake at the moment it hit

Audio, Radio New Zealand

When the destructive February earthquake hit Christchurch, one of our reporters, Bridget Mills, was recording an interview at the very moment the earth started shaking.

Greens oppose quake authority Bill as too far-reaching

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Parliament is debating under urgency the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill, but the Greens plan to vote against the first reading.

Demand for temporary homes expected to be high in Chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Demand for temporary accommodation in Christchurch for earthquake evacuees is expected to be intense once the rebuild work kicks into action in coming months - despite a slow start.

Report: steps taken to strengthen buildings with stairwells

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first report into the damage done to three large buildings in the Christchurch earthquake is recommending urgent steps be taken around the country to strengthen buildings with stairwells.

Fracking could be coming to the outskirts of Chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A controversial oil and gas drilling technique that some say is capable of causing small earthquakes, could soon be in use on the outskirts of Christchurch.

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.