More on search and rescue efforts being blamed for 5 deaths

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A lawyer is claiming five victims of February's Christchurch earthquake died because of inept search and rescue efforts.

Householders unhappy about changes to EQC repair rules

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some Christchurch homeowners fear they're being rail roaded into using the Earthquake Commission's preferred builders when it comes to earthquake repairs.

Jobs on the line at Canterbury University

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The University of Canterbury has put one-hundred-and-fifty jobs on the line as it tries to recover from the Christchurch earthquakes.

Earthquake Recovery Authority - manager of demolitions

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Warwick Isaacs, the manager of demolitions for the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority was in the red zone when the magnitude 6 quake struck.

Decision about Christchurch suburbs close

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government has a clear picture of what areas of Christchurch cannot be rebuilt because of earthquake damage but will not reveal them yet.

Sediment tsunami choking Christchurch streams

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A freshwater biologist says a tsunami of sediment and sand caused by the Canterbury earthquakes is choking the city's riverbeds and killing aquatic life.

Nomadic home owner pleads for full rates relief

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch residents made homeless by the earthquakes have made an emotional plea to the city council for 100 percent rates relief.

Christchurch pod-styled backpackers a NZ first

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A backpackers with pod-styled units has opened near Christchurch Airport as the city continues to struggle with budget accommodation following the 2011 earthquake.

Christchurch City Council labelled naive for rates inquiries

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch council has asked its residents to tell it if earthquake repairs haven't been done so it can accurately assess their property's value.

Christchurch firefighter gets rare honour for bravery

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch firefighter who helped amputate a man's leg to free him from earthquake wreckage has been given a rare honour for exceptional bravery.

Calls for public inquiry into EQC after settlement

Audio, Radio New Zealand

What's being called a landmark settlement with the Earthquake Commission has been reached today, which may have far-reaching consequences for Canterbury home-owners.

Call for Royal Commission into shoddy quake repairs

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Frustrated Christchurch home-owners have delivered a 3000 strong petition to the government, calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into shoddy earthquake repairs.

First freight chugs into Chch from Picton since Kaikoura quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first freight train since the devastating Kaikoura earthquake has chugged into Christchurch, after an historic 348 kilometre journey from Picton.

Ministry apologises to Chch schools for handling of closures

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Ministry of Education has been forced to apologise for its flawed handling of school closures and mergers after the 2011 Canterbury earthquake.

Much beloved Victoria square re-opens in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Victoria Square, the slightly less famous cousin of nearby Cathedral Square was re-opened today following $7.5 million worth of earthquake repairs.

North Canterbury locals struggling after Kaikoura quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Thirty properties are unlivable while another 170 have restricted access following the Kaikoura earthquake last year. RNZ reporter Conan Young reports from a town meeting.

Truck drivers quit over safety fears

Audio, Radio New Zealand

More than five people have died on crashes on SH1 between Picton and Christchurch since it became a main arterial route following the Kaikoura earthquake.

Focus on Politics for 18 July 2014

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch and its surrounding towns are slowly starting to be rebuilt after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Our political editor Brent Edwards has been in Christchurch to find out whether the rebuild debate will dominate the election campaign in the city.

EQC to start flood payouts in

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The EQC has got the green light to start settling the claims of thousands of Christchurch people whose homes became more at risk of flooding after the earthquakes.

EQC picks holes in case against it

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A lawyer for the Earthquake Commission has told the High Court there are major holes in the case brought by a Christchurch couple to have their home rebuilt.

Disappointment as Bishop decides to demolish Chch cathedral

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch's Blessed Sacrament Cathedral was set to be repaired following the Canterbury earthquakes, but the new Bishop Paul Martin has decided it's too expensive and has decided to rebuild closer to the city centre.

EQC settles with homeowner days before test case

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Commission has settled with a Christchurch homeowner, just days before their test case was due to be heard at the High Court. Jamie Gibling used his KiwiSaver to buy his first family home in New Brighton after the quakes, believing it had been properly repaired. He later learned the repairs were botched and would cost $300,000 to fix. His "onsold" test case was supposed to be heard on Monday to clarify who was liable. But today EQC announced it had reached a settlement with the family and that agreement would provide a framework for the 54 other claimants also with Shine Lawyers. Finance and EQC Minister Grant Robertson last week announced an "onsold" settlement kitty of $300 million for the next 12 months but legal experts working with claimants have told Checkpoint it could cost taxpayers much much more. EQC's Deputy Chief Executive is Renee Walker. On Thursday she came into the studio and Lisa Owen asked her if the Giblings got what they asked for and if the 54 others who signed up to the class action would get the same.

Te Pae, new Christchurch Convention Centre officially opens

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Te Pae, Christchurch's near $450 million convention centre, has been officially opened this afternoon with a pōwhiri and unveiling by Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Minister Megan Woods. Billed as a legacy for the city, it replaces the old centre which was demolished following the Canterbury earthquakes. Niva Chittock is at the ceremony and joins Lisa with the details.

Signs positive Chch Cathedral will be restored, group says

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The new Cabinet is reportedly considering a rebuild plan for the Christchurch Cathedral, damaged in the 2011 earthquake. Supporters of restoring the cathedral say the signs are promising.

EQC says it has enough money to respond

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The EQC says it has enough staff and money in the kitty to respond to the latest earthquakes, despite still having work to do in Christchurch - five years after on.

Backpacker's family's first visit to Chch for quake memorial

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Rachel Conley's family has flown to Christchurch for the first time for the unveiling of the memorial wall. They are staying with a NZ family, whose son died along with Rachel in the earthquake.

30,000 to watch Springsteen on eve of quake anniversary

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People have been queuing for days for the Bruce Springsteen concert in Christchurch tonight, ahead of the sixth anniversary of the 2011 earthquake. Glenn McCartney is at the front of the queue.

Memorial for quake victims to be revealed on 6th anniversary

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A memorial for the 185 people who died in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake will be blessed tonight, ahead of the unveiling tomorrow, on the sixth anniversary.

Earthquake survivor says Wgtn must cordon around unsafe sites

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A woman crushed to within milimetres of her life in the Christchurch earthquake says it is murderously cavalier for Wellington's council not to cordon off weak or prone buildings.

Chch's new super school opens in Aranui with a bumper roll

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Haeata is the first public school in Christchurch to cater for all ages, replacing three eastern suburbs schools that were closed after the earthquakes. RNZ joined more than 900 students for the first day.