Top Stories for Friday 4 March 2011

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Shift to quake recovery operation devastating for survivor;Brother of missing woman speaks out;Police say end of rescue effort sad day for all concerned;Other families trying to come to grips with rescue's end;Hundreds struggle on with life inside Christchurch cordon;Christ's College spared from large scale damage;Gang patches can return - Hells Angels lawyer;Botany to elect new MP tomorrow;Earthquake Minister on shift to recovery operation.

Charles Drennan

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Parish priest of St Anne's Woolston, Christchurch, and Administrator of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament which was partially destroyed during the February earthquake.

People being allowed into cordoned-off city this morning

Audio, Radio New Zealand

As we go to air, Christchurch property and business owners people are being allowed into the cordoned-off central city for the first time since the earthquake twelve days ago.

Heritage sector warns against rushed decisions

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The heritage sector says the earthquake recovery minister shouldn't be hasty when it comes to heritage buildings in Christchurch.

Defence Force's earthquake response largest seen in NZ

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Defence Force's deployment in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake is the military's biggest ever domestic operation.

Special News Bulletin

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An extended news bulletin featuring coverage of the Christchurch earthquake.

Special news bulletin

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An extended news bulletin with the latest news on the Christchurch earthquake.

English warns deficit will climb above 11 billion

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Treasury is forecasting the Christchurch earthquake will slow economic activity and the Finance Minister says the forecast 11-billion dollar Budget deficit this year will also climb.

Treasury forecasts quake to slow economic activity

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Treasury is forecasting the Christchurch earthquake will slow economic activity, taking about 15 billion dollars out of the economy over the next five years.

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.

National earthquake memorial to be held next week

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Prime Minister John Key says the day will be a provincial holiday in Canterbury, but the Cabinet ruled out declaring a national holiday.

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.

Expert says protection needed for at risk Chch artworks

Audio, Radio New Zealand

An expert worried about Christchurch art in the wake of the earthquake has set up a website to identify items which may be at risk.

No exact numbers on quake-related injuries

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The number of people injured in the earthquake in Christchurch more than two weeks ago is still unknown.

Rental costs face thousands forced out by quake

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The thousands of Christchurch residents expected to be forced into temporary Government-supplied accommodation by earthquake damage will be required to pay rent.

Broken River extended version

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Days after the city of Christchurch was devastated by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, This Way Up's presenter Simon Morton traverses the city using the Avon River as his route. Travelling on a bicycle from the source of the Avon in the West to Heathcote Estuary in the East, where the Avon meets the Pacific, everyone has a story to tell.

Relative, friends of quake lost describe pain of waiting

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Friends and relatives of those missing after the Christchurch earthquake have described the pain of not knowing the fate of their loved one

Survivor tells of rescue from Pyne Gould building

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Survivor Nick Walls, who was pulled from the rubble of the Pyne Gould Corporation building, says his life will change as a result of the earthquake. From his bedside in the Christchurch hospital's orthopeadic ward he explained to our reporter Lorna Perry what he was doing when the earth shook.

Survivor tells of rescue from Pyne Gould building

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Survivor Nick Walls, who was pulled from the rubble of the Pyne Gould Corporation building, says his life will change as a result of the earthquake. From his bedside in the Christchurch hospital's orthopeadic ward he explained to our reporter Lorna Perry what he was doing when the earth shook.

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.

Plumbers in Chch say they're struggling to keep solvent

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The plumbing industry says there is festering discontent in Christchurch, over what it calls unnecessary red tape from the Earthquake Commission.

Japanese disaster problem for NZ government deficit

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The Japanese earthquake may have an impact on plans by the government to borrow more to meet the earthquake rebuilding in Christchurch.

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 residents say they are frustrated

Audio, Radio New Zealand

The EQC undertook a rapid assessment of houses over a week ago and say they are confident they will get round all the residences in the Christchurch area within its eight week timeframe. Some Christchurch residents who say they are frustrated and angry about the lack of communication from the Earthquake Commission.

Chch police to start cold-calling over domestic violence

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Staying with the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, the police in Christchurch are to start cold-calling on homes in the city where there is either a history of domestic violence, or the potential for it.

Christchurch on track to getting students back to school

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A month on from the Christchurch earthquake, all but a handful schools in the city are back up and running.

Almost 100 jobs to go at Grand Chancellor Hotel

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Almost 100 people are losing their jobs at Christchurch's Hotel Grand Chancellor this Friday, the latest in a series of significant job losses in the wake of the earthquake.

Government makes concessions on quake recovery legislation

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Meanwhile, the Government has made concessions on its Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority legislation after complaints from the Labour Party.

Royal Commission excludes liability issues

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Survivors of February's devastating earthquake in Christchurch are astounded the Royal Commission won't investigate whether anyone should be held liable for the collapse of so many central city buildings.

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.