Canterbury Earthquake - Parliament adjourned after earthquake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Parliament was adjourned as news of the earthquake came through. Party leaders made statements to the House as the seriousness of the situation became clear.

Parties uncertain about special tax for earthquake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The country's political parties are uncertain about whether a special tax might be needed to help pay to rebuild Christchurch after this week's devastating earthquake.

Man who broke neck in quake walks in front door

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Ken Hird is back home today for the first time since breaking his neck during an earthquake aftershock in Christchurch.

Residents frustrated waiting for EQC claims

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People in Canterbury with homes damaged by the February 22nd earthquake have less than six hours left to lodge a claim with the Earthquake Commission.

Earthquake commission on delays

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The Earthquake Commission says 95 percent of the invoices it gets from contractors repairing houses in Christchurch are paid out within two to three weeks.

Thousands gather at Parliament for two minutes silence.

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A large crowd gathered outside Parliament to pay their respects to the people of Christchurch after last week's 6-point-3 magnitude earthquake.

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.

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.

Earthquake Authority gets wide powers

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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.

Students return to Shirley Boys High School

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Students at Christchurch's Shirley Boys High School were upbeat about their return today to their old school, for the first time since the February earthquake.

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.

Man in Forsyth Barr building talks about today's evidence

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission has heard the earthquake resilience of stairways in the Forsyth Barr building was compromised when they were installed.

Engineers seek answers about CTV building

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A victim's family and engineers are seeking answers from the Christchurch City Council on why the earthquake-devastated CTV building was allowed to be built.

Some Christchurch earthquake victims are angry

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The families of some Christchurch earthquake victims are angry disappointed the Government is refusing to pay for lawyers for them at the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Jobs are to go at the Christchurch department store Ballantynes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Thirty to fourty jobs are to go at the Christchurch department store, Ballantynes, because of earthquake damage to it's central city shop.

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.

Lessons for Wellington from the Canterbury quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The head of an international team of engineers who design for disasters says Wellington should look closely at the lessons from the Canterbury earthquake.

The Panel with Linley Boniface and Mary McCallum (part 1)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Topics, the Christchurch earthquake including live updates from Barry Corbett and Sue Wells in Christchurch and live aftershocks.

Mayor hits back

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The Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker has hit back at a Civil Defence report that says his constant media presence after the earthquake created an artificial air of crisis.

Chch Mayor's post-quake media presence criticised

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Civil Defence report looking at the aftermath of September's earthquake has reignited tensions between the Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker, and the Canterbury regional council.

Christchurch City Council questioned over russian roulette

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The Christchurch City Council has been questioned over whether it was playing russian roulette with its citizens with its rules on earthquake prone buildings.

Criminals help quake victims.

Audio, Radio New Zealand

In Canterbury, those carrying out sentences of community service are being put to good use - with teams of workers out helping with the post-earthquake clean-up.

Scholars call on Govt to rethink Canterbury earthquake law

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A group of legal scholars says the Government has set a dangerous precedent with its law to assist recovery from the Christchurch earthquake.

170 Christchurch City Council jobs gone

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More than 170 people employed by the Christchurch City Council have been told their jobs are gone as a result of the earthquake in February.

Greens say Christchurch suburbs plan needs a hurry up

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The Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee is defending the time it's taking to get robust information for a full report on the matter.

Inquiry begins into collapse of CTV building

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A woman who was in Christchurch's CTV building when it collapsed during the February's earthquake says it felt like being in a falling lift.

CERA wants insurers to give homeowners clearer time lines

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The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority wants private insurers to provide homeowners with clear timeframes for when earthquake repairs will be carried out.

Christchurch tourism poised for rebound from quakes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch's tourism sector is poised for a strong rebound five years after the Canterbury earthquakes, but tourist operators and leaders say there is still work to do.

Heritage building in Chch's Art Centre to reopen

Audio, Radio New Zealand

After being largely shut off to the public since the earthquakes, Christchurch's iconic Arts Centre is set to reopen its Great Hall to the public tonight.

Music centre The Piano opens in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A world class centre for music and the arts has opened in Christchurch, after The Music Centre of Christchurch was damaged beyond repair in the 2011 earthquakes.