Our Changing World

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Scientists are just beginning to understand why the recent Canterbury earthquakes 'punched above their size', and their findings could change international scientific thinking about earthquakes. Alison Ballance talks with GNS seismologists Martin Reyners and Bill Fry to find out more.

Business owners angry over Christchurch CBD access

Audio, Radio New Zealand

More than a houndred people with businesses in Christchurch's CBD have stormed a cordon into the Red Zone, in frustration at still not being allowed access to their buildings - one month on from the earthquake.

Former military man tipped to head recovery effort

Audio, Radio New Zealand

News that a former military man, Major General Martyn Dunne, is expected to head the first stage of earthquake recovery in Christchurch has reignited debate about how that recovery should be managed.

Emergency charger

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Sixteen-year-old Sam Mackwell and his mates from St Thomas of Canterbury College have created a device that uses boiling water to charge cellphones, power a light and run a radio. They came up with the idea for the small generator after the first earthquake in Canterbury in September when electricity supplies were cut to much of the city. They call the device"The Lion"and hope to sell it in retail stores soon.

Earthquake Authority gets wide powers

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A stand-alone government department will be vested with the wide ranging powers the Government gave itself after last year's quake, to oversee recovery efforts in Canterbury.

The Naked Baker

Audio, Radio New Zealand

One Christchurch business has found just the right ingredients to rise again."The Naked Baker"gave away all of their cakes and buns and baked goods to the people of North Brighton after the earthquake on February 22nd. Co-owners Darren Carlaw and Andrew Snee started the bakery, coffee roastery and mobile food business 8 years ago. The cafe had to shut for more than 2 weeks to clean up all the damage . They didn't know what to expect when the business re-opened. What they discovered is that business is up by 30% thanks in part to their ability to bring their coffee and cakes to the many offices that have moved out of the center of town.

Jetstar cutting services partly due to ChCh quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The budget airline Jetstar is cutting back on some of its flights out of Christchurch partly because of the earthquake.

Auckland Council votes two to one to fund extra RWC games

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Auckland ratepayers are to pay up to almost three million dollars to host three extra rugby world cup games relocated from earthquake damaged Christchurch.

Canterbury netballers first game at home since quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Tactix netball team are playing at home tonight for the first time since last month's earthquake.

Empty Churches - Father John O'Connor

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Catholic priest Father John O'Connor is of a mind that religion is not about to become extinct in NZ, especially in light of how people responded to last month's Christchurch earthquake.

Paul Potts

Audio, Radio New Zealand

British crossover tenor performing Christchurch Earthquake fundraiser with NZSO and Elizabeth Marvelly this weekend.

Akaroa tourism

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Tourist operators in Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula hit hard by the effects of the Christchurch earthquake are making a desperate push to lure back the tourists.

The Panel with Sir Bruce Slane and David Slack (part 1)

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Naval blockade: Greenpeace say its activists are willing to get arrested over their protest against a Brazilian oil company surveying off East Cape. Royal Commission: Legal experts are in agreement ... the purpose of the Royal Commission into February's earthquake in Christchurch is to investigate - not to incriminate.

Three time capsules opened in Christchurch today

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Three time capsules, recovered after the Christchurch earthquake, have been opened in the city today.

Greens oppose quake authority Bill as too far-reaching

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Parliament is debating under urgency the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill, but the Greens plan to vote against the first reading.

Bill on Christchurch recovery authority set to pass

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Legislation setting up the Authority for the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery has passed.

Engineer wants building standards upgraded

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Canterbury University engineer says building standards need to be upgraded before rebuilding begins in the earthquake battered region.

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.

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.

Fracking could be coming to the outskirts of Chch

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A controversial oil and gas drilling technique that some say is capable of causing small earthquakes, could soon be in use on the outskirts of Christchurch.

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.

Family of CTV victim questions rebuilding in CBD

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A woman of a relative who died in the CTV building in the February earthquake says more needs to be done to identify unknown faultlines before rebuilding work can start in Christchurch.

Potential asbestos forces CERA to check paperwork

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority is now double checking all of its paperwork following fears earthquake rubble dumped in a Christchurch land fill could have been contaminated by asbestos.

GNS's quake risk assessment questioned by US expert

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An American quake expert has criticised the risk assessment done following the Canterbury earthquake, and suggested authorities are being too cautious.

Quake scientists call for more testing of soil before building

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Scientists are calling for more ground testing to be carried out before reconstruction starts in earthquake devastated Christchurch.

No insulation for earthquake-damaged homes

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The company hired by the Government to carry out earthquake repairs in Canterbury is refusing to install insulation at the same time as it replaces old cladding on houses.

Insurance cancelled for landmark Chch buildings

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Insurance cover has been cancelled for Christchurch's historic Arts Centre and its Catholic Cathedral which were both badly damaged in the February earthquake.

Government insurance gap will leave schools out of pocket

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Gaps in the government's insurance cover will leave many schools damaged by the earthquakes in Canterbury out of pocket.

Checkpoint Top Stories for Wednesday 31 August 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

More than 800 medals are stolen from the War Memorial Museum in Waiouru. Shares in State Owned Enterprises will be capped at 10 percent and gaps in the government's insurance cover will leave many schools damaged by the earthquakes in Canterbury out of pocket.

Inquest looks at PGC building collapse in February's quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The first details surrounding the deaths of 18 people in the PGC building collapse in February's earthquake have been revealed at an inquest in Christchurch.