The Earthquake Commission has more than doubled its estimate of how much it will pay out for Canterbury earthquake claims, from three billion dollars to seven billion dollars.
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.
Damage to an ivy-covered fence outside a residential property.
A digger parked in a residential street covered in snow.
The driveway and footpath are covered in silt from liquefaction.
Damage to an ivy-covered fence on a residential property.
Blog of Christchurch vet Fi. Archived instances cover the Canterbury Earthquake.
A photograph of St Paul's-Trinity-Pacific Church covered in scaffolding.
Graffiti on a brick wall reads "Pray hope and don't worry". The photographer comments, "Seen on a wall on Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch".
A photograph of a section of St Paul's-Trinity-Pacific Church, covered in scaffolding.
The road, driveway and footpath are covered in silt from liquefaction in a residential area.
Earthquake damage to a house, where windows have been covered with tarp and boarded up.
A photograph of earthquake damage to 154 Manchester Street. Rubble from the building covers the footpath.
The side wall of a house has been damaged and has been covered by black plastic sheeting.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to 128 Manchester Street. Rubble from the building covers the footpath.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to 128 Manchester Street. Rubble from the building covers the footpath.
A photograph of earthquake damage to 141-149 Manchester Street. Rubble from the building covers the footpath.
A woman walks through the snow in Christchurch and comments 'At least snow covers up ugly quake damage dear... Dear?' Her husband has disappeared into a hole that was covered in snow. Context: Heavy snow blanketed Christchurch today (Saturday 9 August) as the winter cold continued to be felt across both the North and South Islands. Snow began falling in Christchurch about 7am today and covered most of the city. (NZHerald: Aug 9 2011) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Gaps in the government's insurance cover will leave many schools damaged by the earthquakes in Canterbury out of pocket.
The Canterbury earthquakes will wipe out all the funds held in reserve to cover claims to the Earthquake Commission.
Demolition rubble next to a house where the walls have crumbled. The wall has been covered by a tarpaulin.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to Liberty Books at 145-147 Manchester Street. Rubble from the building covers the footpath.
A damaged house where the house has separated from the foundations. A section of the roof has been covered by a tarpaulin.
Insurance cover has been cancelled for Christchurch's historic Arts Centre and its Catholic Cathedral which were both badly damaged in the February earthquake.
A photograph of a painted sign on the Excelsior Hotel , exposed after the brick wall which covered it was damaged by an earthquake.
The road and footpath in Richmond are covered with liquefaction. Recycling and rubbish bins waiting for collection can be seen down the footpath.
The road and footpath in Richmond are covered with liquefaction. Recycling and rubbish bins waiting for collection can be seen down the footpath.
A photograph of a painted sign on 448 Colombo Street, exposed after the brick wall which covered it was damaged by an earthquake.
A photograph of a painted sign on 448 Colombo Street, exposed after the brick wall which covered it was damaged by an earthquake.
A photograph of a painted sign on 448 Colombo Street, exposed after the brick wall which covered it was damaged by an earthquake.