Plumbers say EQC paying bills too slowly

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Plumbers industry body says some plumbers helping Christchurch quake victims are struggling to stay afloat, because the Earthquake Commission is not paying out fast enough for emergency repairs.

NZ Skeptics gather to mock so-called moon man

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The large aftershock rattled nerves in Christchurch last night but it was not the destructive earthquake that had been predicted by self-styled quake forecaster Ken Ring.

Christchurch CBD revival on hold until demolition decision

Audio, Radio New Zealand

More than ten weeks after being damaged beyond repair by the Christchurch earthquake, there is still no decision about how or when the Grand Chancellor Hotel will be demolished.

Uncertain future for Christchurch's hospitality sector

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Among those businesses most affected by the end of the welfare scheme are cafes, restaurants and bars. 100 such businesses have closed in the central city alone because of the earthquake.

Employers and unions say too soon to trim welfare scheme

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Employers and unions in Christchurch say the Government is moving too quickly to reduce emergency welfare payments in the wake of the February earthquake.

Christchurch councillor worries residents may be by-passed

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch City Councillor is worried the wishes of local residents and the council could be by-passed once the Earthquake Recovery Authority takes over rebuilding the city.

WINZ staff being flexible about financial support eligibility

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Social Development Minister says staff are having to be flexible when deciding what financial support those caught up in the Christchurch earthquake are eligible for.

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.

Inquest into 144 Christchurch quake deaths continues

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The inquest into many of the deaths in the Christchurch earthquake will today hear evidence about the more than 60 language students who perished in the Canterbury Television building.

Earthquake Commission guarantees cover for further disasters

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Commission has more than doubled its estimate of how much it will pay out for Canterbury earthquake claims, from three billion dollars to seven billion dollars.

Mossad expert - activities have hallmarks of spy training

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A researcher of the Israeli spy agency MOSSAD says the suspicious activity of four Israeli students during the Christchurch earthquake bears all the hallmarks of a classic intelligence operation.

Israeli spy ring may have been caught up in Chch quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

There are suggestions this morning that a Mossad agent working for the Israeli government may have been one of those killed in the Christchurch earthquake.

Royal Commission to hear plea for upgrade to old buildings

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission will hear this week that the cost of upgrading the city's unreinforced masonry buildings is more than the buildings are worth.

Chch schools seek special NCEA marking for all students

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some Christchurch schools are so worried about the impact of February's earthquake on their students that they want special consideration to be given in their exam marks.

Heathcote locals congregate at church/pub

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A pub in a church might seem unusual, but then life in Christchurch after both the September and February earthquakes has been anything but normal.

Southern Story for 21 April 2011 - Sydenham Shops

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch suburb of Sydenham was badly affected by the first earthquake in September and February's quake has struck another blow to the local retail sector. But as Katy Gosset has found, shop owners say they're confident they can rebuild.

Rangiora Express

Audio, Radio New Zealand

One of the great community initiative's in Canterbury is the Rangiora Earthquake Express - where urgent help is still needed. These Rangiora volunteers have been up and running for sometime now, with daily runs into the Christchurch suburbs most desperately in need of water and other essential supplies.

The Panel with Duncan Webb and Islay McLeod (Part 1)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Topics - A magnitude 4.7 earthquake that rattled Wellington early this morning was the second to hit the capital in less than a week. Your ideas for economic measures to stimulate Christchurch's recovery continue to flow in.

Checkpoint Top Stories for Wednesday 31 August 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

More than 800 medals are stolen from the War Memorial Museum in Waiouru. Shares in State Owned Enterprises will be capped at 10 percent and gaps in the government's insurance cover will leave many schools damaged by the earthquakes in Canterbury out of pocket.

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.

Chch churches face tough decisions over rebuilding

Audio, Radio New Zealand

As part of the future of Christchurch it is expected a third of all Catholic and almost half of all Presbyterian churches damaged in Christchurch's February earthquake might not be rebuilt.

Labour MPs pressure government to release land details

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Labour's four MPs in Christchurch are stepping up the pressure on the Government to front up quickly about what earthquake damaged land has to be abandoned.

One week on, vigils to be held for those who died in quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Anglican and Catholic churches will unite today, holding services with cathedral bells tolling throughout the country in remembrance of those who died in the Christchurch earthquake.

Ethnic migrants displaced by quake find solace in Auckland

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Ethnic migrants from Christchurch displaced by the earthquake are being given some much needed cultural and spiritual comfort from a centre in Auckland's Waitakere district.

English warns deficit will climb above 11 billion

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Treasury is forecasting the Christchurch earthquake will slow economic activity and the Finance Minister says the forecast 11-billion dollar Budget deficit this year will also climb.

Almost 100 jobs to go at Grand Chancellor Hotel

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Almost 100 people are losing their jobs at Christchurch's Hotel Grand Chancellor this Friday, the latest in a series of significant job losses in the wake of the earthquake.

EQC set to help Christchurch plumber sort unpaid bills

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch plumber owed tens of thousands of dollars by the Earthquake Commission says the EQC has appointed a case manager to sort out the money it owes him.

AMI stadium owner may not insure pitch against further damage

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The owner of Christchurch's AMI stadium is refusing to guarantee it will insure its playing field in future, despite taking a multimillion-dollar taxpayer handout to fix earthquake damage.

Christchurch schools make it to Maadi Cup despite quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

All Christchurch secondary schools involved in rowing have made it to the annual Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro in Waikato despite major setbacks caused by the February earthquake.

Midday Sports News for 15 March 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch will lose its Rugby World Cup games with a report finding the city's stadium is unfit to host matches in the wake of last month's earthquake, British media is reporting.