The Minister for Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, has been accused in the High Court in Christchurch of abusing his powers and doing deals which allowed councils and Christchurch Airport to get their own way over zoning decisions.
The spire of Christ Church Cathedral once stood 20 storeys high but was reduced to less than half that by last year's earthquake. Its temporary replacement's construction began yesterday with the first sod turned.
A photograph submitted by Jenny to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "Hereford Street a couple of minutes after the quake. Dust from collapsed buildings visible in the background looking towards High Street.".
A photograph submitted by Tim Kerr to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "Mannequins suspended in an open frontage gently twisting in the breeze – unmolested for weeks. Bottom of High St and Manchester St".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "South-west corner of the Manchester and Lichfield Streets intersection".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A view from the roof of Alice in Videoland building".
A photograph of the remains of the Excelsior Hotel building on the corner of High Street and Manchester Street. The remains of the facade are being held up by a stack of shipping containers.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Kaiapoi businesses and retail outlets struggling post-earthquake, leading into Christmas. Kaiapoi High Street. Blackwells department store is the earthquake-damaged building".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Containers for the new shopping complex in Cashel Mall".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Building the Re:START container shops in Cashel Mall".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Building the Re:START container shops in Cashel Mall".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Building the Re:START container shops in Cashel Mall".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Building the Re:START container shops in Cashel Mall".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Building the Re:START container shops in Cashel Mall".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Building the Re:START container shops in Cashel Mall".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Building the Re:START container shops in Cashel Mall".
An aerial photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Central city looking north west".
A photograph of One Sugar Bowl and the Globe Cafe on High Street. The photograph has been captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Remarkable that the cards and postcards are still there".
A photograph of a working bee at Agropolis urban farm on the corner of High Street and Tuam Street. The working bee was part of FESTA 2014.
A photograph of a working bee at Agropolis urban farm on the corner of High Street and Tuam Street. The working bee was part of FESTA 2014.
A photograph of the remains of the Excelsior Hotel building on the corner of High Street and Manchester Street. The remains of the facade are being held up by a stack of shipping containers.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Whitcoulls site (left) and Ballantynes (right), Cashel Mall".
A photograph of the remains of the Excelsior Hotel building on the corner of High Street and Manchester Street. The remains of the facade are being held up by a stack of shipping containers.
A photograph of the remains of the Excelsior Hotel building on the corner of High Street and Manchester Street. The remains of the facade are being held up by a stack of shipping containers.
A photograph of the remains of the Excelsior Hotel building on the corner of High Street and Manchester Street. The remains of the facade are being held up by a stack of shipping containers.
A photograph of damaged buildings on Manchester Street, taken from the intersection of High Street. On the left, stacked shipping containers are holding up the remaining facade of the Excelsior Hotel building.
A photograph of the remains of the Excelsior Hotel building on the corner of High Street and Manchester Street. The remains of the facade are being held up by a stack of shipping containers.
A photograph of a cleared building site between High Street and Lichfield Street. Part of a sculpture installation by Miranda Parkes can be seen on the right.
A photograph looking south down Manchester Street, taken from the corner of High Street. Coloured shipping containers are stacked in front of the remaining facade of the Excelsior Hotel building.
A photograph of the remains of the Excelsior Hotel building on the corner of High Street and Manchester Street. The remains of the facade are being held up by a stack of shipping containers.