Liability fears hinder the assessment of quake-prone buildings

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The president of the Structural Engineers' Society, John Hare, says since the Christchurch earthquakes, engineers have been too conservative in evaulations for fear of liability.

Elderly low on priority list for earthquake repairs

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A forum's heard from older people in Christchurch saying they feel vulnerable, misled, and left out in the cold when it comes to earthquake repairs and payouts.

Cantabs confused about who pays for flood risk mitigation

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch residents whose houses have sunk since the earthquakes want to know who will pay to raise and remediate their land to prevent flood risk.

Mother Earth and the Quakeia Babies

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A book written by two Christchurch women to help the region's children deal with the stress of the earthquakes has been endorsed by the director of Civil Defence, John Hamilton.

CERA pays more for PR advice

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority spent more than three million dollars on communications staff and consultants in the last financial year, up by a third on the previous year.

Survey shows most sectors in Chch have laid off staff

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The most comprehensive survey carried out so far of Canterbury businesses following the earthquakes, has found the majority of sectors have had to lay off workers.

Community groups homeless after quake-prone facility closed

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Two years after the Christchurch earthquakes, the city council has only finished detailed assessments of about half its community facilities, and nasty surprises are still cropping up.

Council staff given hurry up over quake repairs

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch City Council staff have been given the hurry up from councillors over the length of time it is taking to repair or replace earthquake-damaged council housing.

A doctor's bravery during the February quake is recognised

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The doctor who is about to receive a bravery award for his work during Christchurch's February earthquake, says the images from that day are still with him.

Calls for asbestos register in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An Earthquake Commission policy of covering over asbestos in quake-damaged Canterbury houses and not making that information publicly available, is being described as shortsighted and potentially harmful.

Midday News for 20 February 2013

Audio, Radio New Zealand

About 70 percent of Canterbury's residential earthquake claims have not been dealt with and submissions on the closure of Christchurch schools show some are willing to sacrifice their neighbours.

First census in seven years takes place today

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Today is census day; the first nationwide stocktake in seven years after the census was called off in 2011 because of the February earthquake in Christchurch.

Christchurch couple lower damages sought in High Court

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch couple taking their insurance company to the High Court over their earthquake payout have knocked almost a quarter of a million dollars off their claim.

Canterbury Earthquake - David Neal

Audio, Radio New Zealand

David Neal is the national programmes manager for the Red Cross. The Christchurch Red Cross response team is out with the fire service, searching buildings for people who might be trapped.

Rugby World Cup organiser say tournament won't be transferred

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Fears the Rugby World Cup could be relocated to Australia in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake are unfounded say tournament organisers.

Death toll passes 100

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Almost three days on from the 6 point 3 earthquake that shattered central Christchurch and Lyttleton and searchers are continuing to find more bodies but no more survivors in the rubble.

Burial service held for soldier killed in Afghanistan

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A New Zealand soldier killed in Afghanistan last week has been laid to rest in Hamilton but without full military honors because of the Christchurch earthquake.

Campervans to house quake homeless

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Hundreds of camper vans are now ready for the earthquake displaced residents of Christchurch, but the demand for what is cramped and slightly claustrophobic accommodation is yet to be proven.

Work begins replacing lost rest home beds

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Health officials in Christchurch have today begun work on a recovery plan for how they will replace hundreds of beds lost in rest homes because of the recent earthquake.

Royal Commission into quakes won't investigate liability

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People caught up in February's earthquake in Christchurch want to know why a Royal Commission of inquiry isn't going to apportion any blame for building collapses.

Quake victim families want answers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The families of some of those killed by falling rubble in February's Christchurch earthquake are desperate to know why buildings that had been deemed safe collapsed.

Family of quake victim question safety of building

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The family of a young man who died while protecting his sister during February's earthquake in Christchurch says the building they were in wasn't safe.

Christchurch residents hope for options on fate of homes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some residents have been waiting for the verdict on the fate of their home and land since the first earthquake hit in September last year.

Government poised to reveal decision for quake suburbs

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Prime Minister and the Earthquake Recovery Minister are poised to announce decisions on the fate of homes on quake damaged land in Christchurch.

Firefighters share remarkable stories of bravery

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch firefighters who were sent to the CTV and Pyne Gould Corporation buildings after Tuesday's massive earthquake share some remarkable stories of bravery and survival.

John Key wants inquiry into collapse of buildings

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Today marks one week since the devastating earthquake struck Christchurch and overnight, the death toll from the rubble has risen. 154 bodies have now been recovered.

One week on, country asked to fall silent to recall dead

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Later today at 12.51 many parts of the country will be stopping for two minutes silence for the victims of the Canterbury earthquake.

Rangiora Express

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Rangiora Earthquake Express was the brain child of Brendan Malone and his mate Chris who, on Wednesday last week, came up with an idea to help the citizens of East Christchurch.

Christchurch aquarium forced to close because of quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Hundreds of birds and other creatures had to be evacuated from a Christchurch aquarium and kiwi enclosure, while others were put-down after last week's earthquake.

Botany to elect new MP tomorrow

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The voters of Botany will elect a new MP tomorrow, but last week's earthquake in Christchurch has meant the last few weeks of the campaign have been very subdued.