Checkpoint Top Stories for Monday 7 March 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A national memorial service marking the Christchurch earthquake is announced. It could take more than a year for all the victims to be identified and Rocky raises 60 thousand dollars for the relief fund.

Earthquake Recovery Minister of plans for quake dam

Audio, Radio New Zealand

We're joined now by the Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee - who is in Christchurch.

Fire Service busy in Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Fire Service still has a big job to do in Christchurch following the February 22nd earthquake, but their role is slowly changing.

Many Christchurch evacuees leaving for good

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Tens of thousands have left Christchurch since the earthquake, and many are planning to stay away for good.

Efforts to save quake damaged buildings

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch MP is working with a group trying to prevent historic buildings damaged in last month's earthquake from being torn down unnecessarily.

Head of NZX to lead quake appeal

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The head of the stock exchange, Mark Weldon, is leading the Government's fundraising efforts for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Grim picture for the Capital if quake hits

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch earthquake is prompting Wellington residents to prepare for the possibility that their city could be struck by a major tremor.

Prince to speak at next week's memorial service

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Prime Minister says Prince William will speak at next week's national memorial service being held for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Canterbury expects small enrolment loss due to quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The University of Canterbury estimates only a few hundred students have moved away because of last month's earthquake.

Southern Story with Katy Gosset

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Our Christchurch features producer, Kary Gosset has a story from one of the worst affected areas from the Feb 22 earthquake. Sumner has frequently been in the news with images of its crumbled cliffs, and Sumner is where Katy Gosset lives. This is her latest snapshot at where her suburb is at.

The Panel with Bernard Hickey and Tino Periera (part 1)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Reserve Bank Governor says he has acted pre-emptively in cutting the official cash rate to guard against the risk that the economic impact of the Christchurch earthquake might become especially severe. Are we in for an oil shock or not?

The Panel with Mark Inglis and Jeremy Hansen (Part 1)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Christchurch memorial service, Japan's earthquake and tsunami, and compassion fatigue.

Rural GPs share quake stories and lessons at conference

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Rural GPs from the South Island have been sharing their experiences of dealing with the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake at a conference in Wellington.

Christchurch residents pick up smoking again after earthquake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Many people in Christchurch have taken up smoking again or are going through more cigarettes a day since earthquakes began rattling the region.

Message from San Francisco mayor for Christchurch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The man who was mayor of San Francisco during the 1989 earthquake is in Christchurch at the moment.

Ukuleles help Chirstchurch children deal with quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch school has bought ukuleles for all its children out of earthquake donations.

People in Sumner are demanding answers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

People in Sumner with earthquake-damaged homes are demanding answers from the Christchurch City Council about the future of their properties.

GNS says Canterbury's quake risk caught up to Wellington's

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Canterbury's earthquake risk has caught up to Wellington's.

The Panel with Irene Gardiner and Chris Wikaira (part 1)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The possibility of another earthquake in Christchurch, the Prime Minister's son planks, and lighting up inside an Auckland bar on No Tobacco Day.

Tony Ryan

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Head of Music at Linwood College in Christchurch on status of school orchestra's European trip that was planned before earthquake.

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.

HB farmers donate over 350 stock to raise $40K for chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Sheep and cattle farmers in Hawke's bay have rallied round to help raise over 40 thousand dollars for the Christchurch Earthquake Fund.

Preparation work paid off - ex Civil Defence controller

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A former Civil Defence controller for Canterbury says years of planning to reduce the impact of a major earthquake in Christchurch has proven its worth.

Jobs lost as Chch yarn plant closes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Almost 200 workers in Christchurch have lost their jobs with the closure of the Canterbury Spinners Plant - which the owners say was so badly damaged in last month's earthquake that it is beyond repair.

Law Society warns of backlog of cases in Chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Law Society is warning disruption to services following last month's earthquake in Christchurch is likely to lead to a massive bottleneck of court cases.

Firsthand quake experience for US PhD student

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A PhD student from the United States who moved to Canterbury to study earthquakes says his firsthand experience in Christchurch has been extremely useful.

Michael Endres

Audio, Radio New Zealand

German pianist and professor of music at Canterbury University previews upcoming earthquake fundraising concert tour of NZ.

Aiden Pons

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch-based 11 year-old piano player talks about the compostition he wrote in response to the Sepetmber 4 earthquake.

Musician Fiona Pears

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Lyttelton-based musician Fiona Pears is putting her life back together after the Christchurch earthquake. She's written a song, called Calm After The Storm.

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.