The Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee flew down to Christchurch from Wellington when he heard about the quakes.
Matthew Carpenter is from the Canterbury Business Recovery Network. Gerry Brownlee is a Christchurch MP.
Gerry Brownlee, Earthquake Recovery Minister.
The cartoon shows a monstrous machine with an enormous crushing ball attached to a giant crane. It moves past a signpost that points towards Christchurch. A man watches and tells his friend 'Gerry Brownlee borrowed it from Auckland! Context - Brownlee has caused a stir by suggesting that if he had his way some of Christchurch's older buildings would be "down tomorrow". He also said the price of saving some historic buildings badly damaged in the February 22 earthquake was too high. People had died in the quake because of attempts to save historic buildings badly damaged in the September 4 quake. Brownlee said he had no regrets despite the stir his comments caused - but he was annoyed by suggestions the Cathedral and Riccarton House were among buildings he thought should be bowled. He believed those buildings should be saved, and they would be. "I'm not a philistine; I was chairman of the trust that actually saved Riccarton House from the bulldozers in 1990. "I understand conservation architecture very well and I do have an appreciation of heritage buildings." Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
We're joined now by the Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee - who is in Christchurch.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, is leading the government's response to the latest round of earthquakes.
The Earthquake Commission has increased its liability for the Canterbury earthquakes by 4 billion dollars to 7.1 billion dollars.
Minister for Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, responds to Christchurch residents in limbo awaiting a geotech report into which suburbs will be abandoned.
The number of homes likely to be demolished in Christchurch because of earthquake damage could be as many as twelve thousand.
More on our top story now where the Government is offering to buy five thousand of the most badly quake damaged homes in Christchurch.
The Goverment has offered to pay out five thousand home owners in Christchurch of the most severely quake damaged properties.
Families of people still missing after last week's Christchurch earthquake have been told there is now officially no hope of finding survivors, though searchers are still insisting they are not ruling out a miracle.
The heritage sector says the earthquake recovery minister shouldn't be hasty when it comes to heritage buildings in Christchurch.
"Extraordinary powers for extraordinary times."The Government says that's what it's giving to the new Christchurch earthquake authority it's set up to lead the rebuild.
Parliament is debating under urgency the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill, but the Greens plan to vote against the first reading.
The Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, is in Europe in an attempt to convince insurance companies not to pull out of New Zealand after the Christchurch earthquakes.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee speaking at the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee speaking at the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).
Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee speaking at the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). The ceremony was held in Burwood Park.
Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee speaking at the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). The ceremony was held in Burwood Park.
Prime Minister John Key and Gerry Brownlee, the Minister of Economic Development, giving a briefing after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Camera crew filming Prime Minister John Key and Gerry Brownlee, the Minister of Economic Development, giving a briefing after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee holding a jackhammer on Kingsford Street in Burwood, as part of the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee handling a jackhammer on Kingsford Street in Burwood, as part of the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).
Earthquake Minister, Gerry Brownlee, speaking to Reverend Peter Beck at the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) opening. The ceremony was held in Burwood Park. Workers in florescent vests are standing in the background.
A Christchurch seismic monitor churns out reams of paper with wild fluctuations showing earthquakes and aftershocks. Nearby two men examine a second monitor and one of them says 'This one's connected to Gerry Brownlee!' The reams of paper show a perfectly straight line - it appears that nothing is going on in Gerry Brownlee's head. Context - A sense that the Minister for Earthquake Recovery is being less than effective. Colour and black and white versions available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
A powhiri performed by Ngai Tahu elders to welcome workers of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). Reverend Peter Beck and Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee can be seen standing amongst the group. The ceremony was held in Burwood Park.
A camera man filming Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee handling a jackhammer on Kingsford Street in Burwood. This was part of the opening of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). A contractor is standing to the left.
A powhiri performed by Ngai Tahu elders to welcome workers of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). Reverend Peter Beck and Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee can be seen standing amongst the group. The ceremony was held in Burwood Park.
A powhiri performed by Ngai Tahu elders to welcome workers of the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). Reverend Peter Beck is standing in the centre and Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee to the left. The ceremony was held in Burwood Park.