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.

EQC deploys rapid assessment teams in Canterbury

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Rapid assessment teams are being sent out across quake hit Canterbury with the Earthquake Commission promising that up to 180-thousand homes will be inspected within the next eight weeks.

Finance Minister says govt will borrow to cover quake costs

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Finance Minister says the Government will cover the ten billion dollar cost of the Christchurch earthquake by borrowing more rather than cutting spending or putting up taxes.

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.

Demand for temporary homes expected to be high in Chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Demand for temporary accommodation in Christchurch for earthquake evacuees is expected to be intense once the rebuild work kicks into action in coming months - despite a slow start.

Evening Business News for 7 December 2010

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Australian-owned, ANZ Bank, is betting small and medium sized firms will drive earnings next year, bolstered by the Rugby World Cup and rebuilding of the earthquake-hit Canterbury region.

The Vault for 3 December 2010 - Homebush

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Deborah Nation dusts off a series of recordings made with successive generations of a Canterbury lineage whose family homestead was one of the casualties of the earthquake on 4 September 2010 .

Report: steps taken to strengthen buildings with stairwells

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first report into the damage done to three large buildings in the Christchurch earthquake is recommending urgent steps be taken around the country to strengthen buildings with stairwells.

Royal Commission hearings start in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Royal Commission hearings into the Canterbury earthquakes started in Christchurch today, with a indication that questions will be raised about whether some of those trapped in collapsed buildings could have survived.

Skills shortage looms ahead of Christchurch rebuild

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Members of the building industry say a serious skills shortage is looming as the Government releases new estimates of the number of homes seriously damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes.

Christchurch's Orange Zone

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People living in Christchurch's orange zone will have to wait longer than expected for a decision on whether they can remain in their homes, after the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority missed one of its deadlines.

Tornado rips through West Auckland

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch couple who fled to Auckland after the earthquakes are now assessing damage at their new house, after a tornado tore through their suburb.

Earthquake Minister in Europe to speak to insurance companies

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, is in Europe in an attempt to convince insurance companies not to pull out of New Zealand after the Christchurch earthquakes.

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.

The Panel Christmas Special

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Panel Christmas Special in downtown Auckland atop the Tyler Street Garage, featuring many of the regular panellists from 2011. Due to a Checkpoint special covering the Christchurch earthquake, this was not broadcast.

Orange zoned residents worry further shakes will cause delays

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Some residents in orange zoned areas in Christchurch are worried the latest series of earthquakes will further delay the decision on whether they can remain in their homes.

Royal Commission hearings continue in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch city council manager has told the Royal Commission there was an element of chaos after the first earthquake in September 2010 as staff sought to get systems in place.

Christchurch car sales up as insurers pays out

Audio, Radio New Zealand

While many businesses in Christchurch are still struggling to get back on their feet after over a year of earthquakes, car sales, including many luxury models, are booming.

Grand Chancellor the focus of Royal Commission hearing

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Canterbury Earthquakes will today begin to examine the failure of the building that's come to symbolise the damage to the central city.

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.

The Panel with Gary Moore and Joanne Black (Part 2)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Are men with lower voices more attractive to the opposite sex; The Canterbury Earthquake insurance deadlock; Speed Camera tickets have doubled over the last year.

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.

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.