Concerns raised over training of NZ structural engineers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Auckland structural engineer John Scarry is concerned that the series of investigations into earthquake related collapses of Christchurch buildings won't result in the changes needed to make the city safer.

Snow means students miss out on precious exam prep

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Heavy snow is forcing schools to close across the country. It's a double blow for Canterbury students who have already lost weeks of precious school time due to the earthquakes.

Clean up continues in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

In Christchurch power is back on for all but a small number of customers after Monday's earthquakes, but the city council is warning it could be six months before water supplies return to 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.

The Panel with Bernard Hickey and Cas Carter (part 2)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

British researchers have found smokers are twice as likely to succeed in quitting if they receive supportive text messages, the head of the Christchurch Earthquake Rebuilding Agency (CERA) Roger Sutton says there will be no quick end in sight for the ongoing insurance problems in Canterbury and the government's hoping a new deal with Bollywood film-makers could bring millions of dollars into New Zealand.

Tech news: Earthquake uses and iPad 2

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Our tech/science correspondent Peter Griffin takes a look at technology use after the Christchurch earthquake. Plus version 2 of the iPad.

Sports commentator Joseph Romanos

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Joseph Romanos discusses the potential impact of the Canterbury earthquake on the Rugby World Cup and Ross Taylor's innings in the Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan.

Dr Nick Baker on risks to Christchurch babies

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Paediatrician Nick Baker talks to Nine to Noon about the risks to Christchurch babies in the aftermath of the earthquakes dogging the area.

Christchurch schools post-quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

There are fears that Christchurch secondary students' educations will continue to suffer as their school days are condensed in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Breakdown in communication - unsafe building collapsed in quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquake Royal Commission has heard that a breakdown in communication between structural engineers, a property manager and owner led the tenants of a building to wrongly assume their shop was safe.

Day in the life of Canterbury Chamber of Commerce head

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The head of the the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, Peter Townsend, says the effects of the Christchurch earthquake will dominate business in Canterbury for at least the next three years.

Quake Authority sets deadline to speed up city rebuild

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Demolition companies and building owners in central Christchurch hope efforts by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority will speed up the city's rebuild after it's been languishing for weeks.

Christchurch residents to learn today if they stay or go

Audio, Radio New Zealand

This afternoon the Government will announce its initial package to deal with land badly damaged by earthquakes in Christchurch, including offering a pay out to households who want to take the cash.

Salvation Army

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Salvation Army has been helping earthquake victims find food and shelter, as well as providing support to distraught and fearful people around Christchurch. Chris talked to Major Campbell Roberts, who is co-ordinating the Sallie's national response.

Earthquake Minister on shift to recovery operation

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Families of people still missing after last week's Christchurch earthquake have been told there is now officially no hope of finding survivors, though searchers are still insisting they are not ruling out a miracle.

People being allowed into cordoned-off city this morning

Audio, Radio New Zealand

As we go to air, Christchurch property and business owners people are being allowed into the cordoned-off central city for the first time since the earthquake twelve days ago.

EQC responds to criticisms about alow payment

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Chief Executive of the Earthquake Commission, Ian Simpson, talks to the programme about how payments are being made to Christchurch earthquake claimants and what if anything can be done to speed up the payment process.

Fewer receiving Christchurch Employer Support Subsidy

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Unemployment figures released yesterday may have showed little change in the nation's jobless rate, but it appears there's a gaping hole in the statistics when it comes to earthquake struck Christchurch.

GNS faces tough questions at Royal Commission hearing

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Scientists from GNS Science have faced tough criticism at the Royal Commission into the Canterbury earthquakes, being accused of funneling resources into the wrong areas and giving vague advice on earthquake risks.

GNS questioned on amount of warning given prior to quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The warnings, or lack of them from the government's scientists about the likely size of aftershocks following the first Canterbury earthquake have been a focus of the Royal Commission into the quakes.

Expert says developers should be required to submit soil rpts

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A geotechnical expert from the United States has told the Royal Commission into the Canterbury Earthquakes, developers should be required to submit soil reports before building on land prone to liquefaction.

Ballantynes celebrate reopening of Christchurch store

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Two weeks after re-opening, the landmark Christchurch department store, Ballantynes has thanked staff, contractors and customers for their hard work and loyalty since the February earthquake forced it to close.

Jobs to go at Sockburn meat works

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Workers at the Sockburn meat works in Christchurch say the announcement that the plant will close at the end of the season is a double blow after a year of coping with the aftermath of earthquakes.

Quake references a no-no in this year's NCEA exams

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Earthquakes disrupted schooling in Canterbury this year, but the region's teenagers can rest assured they will not be rattled by unexpected references to quakes in this year's NCEA and Scholarship exams.

PGC building owner says he did all he could to make it safe

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Pyne Gould building tenants in Christchurch have told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Canterbury Earthquakes hearing they didn't feel safe there after the September quake.

Smaller buildings to be quake commission focus this week

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The smaller buildings that collapsed in the Christchurch earthquake, killing those in them as well as passers by, will be the focus of the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission when hearings resume today