The Vault - Homebush Revisited

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Deborah Nation recalls visits to Homebush, the historic Deans homestead near Darfield, the wreckage of which became one of the most viewed images in the first days after the September 2010 Canterbury earthquake.

Third year could be the worst for quake-stressed Cantabrians

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Mental health experts in Christchurch are warning the worst could be still to come for people suffering from anxiety, depression and stress related to the earthquakes.

More fraud cases expected in connection with Chch rebuild

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A further round of fraud cases sent to the police by the Earthquake Commission may just be the beginning as the rebuild of Christchurch moves into high gear.

Brownlee gives council one last chance on land plan

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Recovery Minister is giving the Christchurch City Council until this morning to approve a major land development plan otherwise he'll force it through himself.

Brownlee threatening to step in and override CCC

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Recovery Minister has given the Christchurch City Council until this morning to approve a development plan, or else he says he'll do it for them.

Brownlee, Christchurch council compromise on housing

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch City Council says it has reached a compromise with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, and voted unanimously to support a plan to intensify housing in the city.

Phil Pennington: Surviving 7.8

Audio, Radio New Zealand

After being rocked awake by the massive 7.8 earthquake that hit North Canterbury last November, RNZ reporter Phil Pennington was among the first reporters to be sent to Kaikoura to assess the damage.

Hundreds of engineers assess damage in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Hundreds of engineers are on the ground in Christchurch, assessing the damage in the wake of Tuesday's earthquake and are heading into the CBD en masse for the first time.

Quake clean-up begins in Avonside for a second time

Audio, Radio New Zealand

In Avonside, one of the suburbs most badly affected by the September 4th earthquake in Christchurch, a second massive clean-up operation is underway.

Insurance premiums set to rise by up to a third

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Insurance premiums look set to rise by up to a third and even more to meet the cost of the Christchurch earthquakes and other disasters overseas.

Opposition warn National not to rush through policies

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The declaration by the Finance Minister that all spending is now under review has prompted warnings that the Christchurch earthquake should not be used to push through unpopular policies.

First day back at school for some Christchurch pupils

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Schools will begin re-opening from today in Christchurch, helping children and their parents regain some sense of normality amidst the chaos caused by last month's earthquake.

Christchurch Hospital to make changes after quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch Health authorities say they will never put acutely unwell patients on top floors again after having to evacuate them after the 22nd of February earthquake.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Midday News for 6 March 2012

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The family of a Christchurch earthquake victim wants the Royal Commission to investigate all Search and Rescue efforts during the disaster. The Government faces a higher-than-forecast Budget deficit.

Claims for uninhabitable homes in Canterbury still rising

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Earthquake Commission says claims from Canterbury homeowners are pouring in with 45,000 recorded so far, and 100,000 expected by the time the dust settles.