Tenants return to HSBC

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first of Christchurch's high-rise buildings to close after the February earthquake has reopened. All the tenants of the12-storey HSBC Tower are now back in the building which has been extensively checked by engineering experts.

Godwits welcomed by different Christchurch bells

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The annual arrival of the godwits in Christchurch has been marked, despite the city's cathedral being out of action following February's earthquake.

Canterbury DHB facing over $70-Million in repairs

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury District Health Board is facing a bill in excess of $70-million to repair earthquake damage to more than seven and a half thousand rooms in two of its hospitals.

Way of setting excesses for commercial properties changes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Commercial property owners are facing not just higher insurance premiums following the Christchurch earthquakes, but also the prospect of much higher excesses.

The PM rules out Israeli spy action in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

This morning the Prime Minister was refusing to confirm or deny whether a group of Israelis in Christchurch at the time of the February earthquake were spies - saying it was not in the national interest for him to do so.

Canterbury schools to lose teachers because rolls have fallen

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch schools will lose the equivalent of 167 teaching jobs next year as the government removes support for schools that lost pupils after February's earthquake.

Engineer denies bar's quake repairs rushed for New Year's Eve

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A structural engineer has denied he rushed the inspection of earthquake repairs to a Christchurch bar so it could re-open in time for New Years Eve.

US search and rescue leader returns to Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The man who lead the US search and rescue in the aftermath of February's earthquake is back in Christchurch to accept a plaque of appreciation from the City Council.

Last unidentified victims of Chch quake laid to rest

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The last unidentified victims of the Christchurch earthquake have been laid to rest in a ceremony in Christchurch.

Thousands gather in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

At least 20 thousand people gathered at the public memorial service in Christchurch to remember the earthquake that occured one year earlier.

Carpenter Chris Nutfield recieves bravery award

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch carpenter Chris Nutfield rescued three women from the collapsed PGC building. He's one of the many to receive a bravery and heroism award one year after the February 2011 earthquake.

Winners annoucned for 2012 Ellerslie Flower Show

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The gold medal winners of this year's Ellerslie International Flower show have been named in Christchurch, with many taking their inspiration from the February 22nd earthquake which cancelled last year's show.

Earthquake minister says red zone residents need security

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A hundred beneficiaries in Canterbury are to be taken off the dole, and employed to help patrol the streets in a bid to reassure people living in red zoned suburbs that are all but deserted.

Earthquake family tries to comfort traumatised children

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The days of aftershocks have got too much for the Wingfield family who are getting out of Christchurch in an effort to calm their deeply distressed children aged two and five.

MPs in Parliament pay tribute to people of Canterbury

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Politicians have praised the courage and resilience shown by Canterbury residents following Saturday's earthquake. MPs from all the parties in Parliament had an opportunity to address the House this afternoon.

Retailers Association speak about compensation package

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government is to provide income support to some workers who've lost earnings because of the earthquake in Canterbury. The support package will be offered to businesses with fewer than 20 employees, which are unable to operate or pay their staff.

The latest from an earthquake engineer in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

It's day four of the massive clean-up operation in Canterbury. Hundreds of shops and offices in the region are being assessed to check if they're safe.

Social Development Minister makes earthquake announcments

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Social Development Minister, Paula Bennett, says there are thousands of unemployed people in Christchurch who could help rebuild the city.

Additional trauma counsellors head to Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Government is flying more than thirty counsellors into Christchurch, to help people feeling the strain of the earthquake's aftermath.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Donations to the Canterbury earthquake fund now total about $11 million. It comes as the Government announced early details of a recovery plan for people wanting money to fix their damaged homes or start rebuilding.

New standards for earthquake prone buildings in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Earthquake prone buildings in Christchurch are to be strengthened to new, higher standards. The new code was passed at an extraordinary council meeting today.

Chances of magnitude aftershock hitting rapidly decreasing

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Two earthquake scientists say the chance of a magnitude six aftershock hitting the Canterbury region is decreasing day by day and is now unlikely. A Victoria University professor in geophysics and a GNS seismologist have put into perspective the weekend's devastating earthquake at a lecture in Wellington.

Earthquake Commission visits worst-hit areas

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Commission says it's likely homes in the Christchurch suburb of Bexley, which sank and cracked in Saturday's quake, will be rebuilt. People in the hardest hit areas of Canterbury have been learning more about their insurance entitlements, as the commission's assessors arrive in Kaiapoi and Bexley to begin evaluating the damage.

Update on Canterbury quake recovery

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Eleven million dollars has been donated so far to the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal. It comes as the Government announced early details of a recovery plan for people wanting money to fix their damaged homes or start rebuilding.

Auckland school raising funds for pupils in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The plight of Earthquake victims in Christchurch has struck a chord with the pupils at an Auckland school. More than 300 pupils at Pasadena Intermediate, in the suburb of Point Chevalier, have donned the Canterbury colours, raising money to help a school down South recover from the disaster.

School children return to class in Canterbury

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Thousands of school children in Canterbury went back to school today, for the first time since the earthquake nine days ago.

Treasury expects earthquake rebuilding to lift economic growth.

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Treasury expects rebuilding after the Canterbury earthquake will help economic growth next year and put upward pressure on inflation.

Grants to be available to those forced out of their homes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Emergency grants will be available from tomorrow for Christchurch residents who are no longer able to live in their homes because of earthquake damage.

Bill for quake damaged roads millions of dollars

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Transport Agency says initial repairs to State Highways damaged in the Canterbury earthquake could cost up to six million dollars.

Minister of Housing asks Canterbury properties to help

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People in Canterbury who own empty houses are being urged to help put a roof over the heads of homeless earthquake victims.