News archive

Neighbours asked to keep an eye out over summer

Summer School 2013

STUDIO CHRISTCHURCH SUMMER SCHOOL 2013 ACTIVATING THE GREEN FRAME & AVON PRECINCT The Green Frame & Avon Precinct, as proposed in the recently released CCDU Blueprint, has the unique potential of suturing together architecture, landscape architecture and urbanism. The Green Frame & Avon Precinct is the cities largest ‘transitional project.’ The government is purchasing private …

Activation

[STUDIO CHCH SUMMER SCHOOL 2013] ACTIVATING THE GREEN FRAME & THE AVON PRECINCT The Green Frame & Avon Precinct, as proposed in the recently released CCDU Blueprint, has the unique potential of suturing together architecture, landscape architecture and urbanism. The Green Frame & Avon Precinct is the cities largest ‘transitional project.’ The government is purchasing …

We have moved!

Big fight ahead for red-zoners

Big fight ahead for red-zoners

Christchurch red-zoners pursuing legal action against their insurers will likely have to go it alone.

Rebuilding Christchurch: Traffic manager proud to help

Have disaster? Willing helper

Jason Pemberton first became seriously involved with the Student Volunteer Army when he was handed $50 and told to "go get these kids some food".

Before and after the “Sign of the Kiwi”

“Jog on, jog on, the footpath way. And cheerily hent the stile, A merry heart goes all the way, Your sad tires in a mile.” — “A Winter’s Tale,” Sheakespeare. Such is the motto on the front of the picturesque rest-house on the Summit Road, near Dyer’s Pass. It was a lovely spring morning, with just enough wind to keep the air cool -  an ideal day for such an outing. The modern and useful tram had brought us up Cashmere Hills, past many charming villas with thei ...

Troops become red-zone guides

Soldiers manning central Christchurch cordons have become unofficial tour guides, dispensing advice on hotels and restaurants to tourists surveying the devastation in the heart of the city.

Young multi-millionaire looking forward to Christchurch rebuild

Steve Brooks, a Christchurch entrepreneur who made a million dollars at 19, is looking forward to a rebuild business boom in 2013.

Cardboard cathedral work resumes in Chch

Construction of Christchurch's cardboard cathedral will resume early next week, a church official says.

The Earthquake Kiwi Bond

Finance Minister Bill English launched the Earthquake Kiwi Bond, “The Government is borrowing the bulk of that money in the short-term and the Earthquake Kiwi Bond provides a way for local investors to contribute and help reduce the amount New Zealand needs to borrow overseas.”  

At (new) home for the holidays

It is a summer of settling into new neighbourhoods and unfamiliar homes for some Christchurch families.

Asbestos hazard in Christchurch CBD

Red-zoners settle into new homes

It is a summer of settling into new neighbourhoods and unfamiliar homes for some Christchurch families.

'F' grade unfair - insurers' council

Insurance Council chief executive Tim Grafton has hit back at a reader's letter to The Press which graded large insurers' response to the Canterbury earthquakes as an "F".

Transitional Book available (as featured on Radio NZ)

Christchurch: The Transitional City Part IV a book documenting transitional post-quake projects in ChCh 

Jan 2: Transitional Book available (as featured on Radio NZ)

Christchurch: The Transitional City Part IV A book documenting transitional post-quake projects in ChCh (Here’s the link to the Radio NZ interview) This book has been collated by a bunch of ChCh locals and published by Project Freerange. It documents 149 post-quake transitional projects that have taken place in Christchurch since the first quake in 2010. [...]

CBD – Available Routes Map 6th January – 11th January

For available routes around the Central City please find below the CBD network map. This is updated weekly. Please click here to download the network map – Available Routes Map From 6th January we will do our best to update this map daily …

Post-quake women want dresses

Cancelled census cost $65 million

The 2011 census cost $65 million – though not a single piece of data was collected.

Lack of fresh data still costing us

The 2011 census was the most expensive survey New Zealand never had, costing $65 million.

City's walking tracks reopen

Walkers have welcomed the reopening of several popular Christchurch tracks, with more expected to be cleared of earthquake hazards this year.

Quake-hit Port Hills tracks reopen

Walkers have welcomed the reopening of several popular Christchurch tracks, with more expected to be cleared of earthquake hazards this year.

Self-made millionaire by 19

2012 a year of protest, upheaval

Electoral boundaries likely to change in 2014

Electoral boundaries for Christchurch are likely to change after the census in March this year. The census is expected to reveal some marked demographic changes that have occurred between 2006 and 2013. Large parts of eastern Christchurch and the inner …

A unique view of our changing city

A new year brings a new perspective on Christchurch as demolition leaves the central city bereft of landmarks.

Owner plans to 'fix, open' IRD building

The owner of the Inland Revenue Department building in Cashel St has drawn up plans to rescue the formerly condemned building.

Owner plans to 'fix, open' IRD building

Ups and Downs at the Pavilion

The pavilion has been open for nearly two weeks. Amy and Glen Jansen have been running it day to day, pulling some long hours while the Gap Filler crew take a break.

Dance-O-Mat closed temporarily due to demolition

Due to the demolition of Vero House next door, the Dance-O-Mat has had to be packed away. We’re really sorry but such is life in gap land. It will be back as soon as the demo is done and dusted at 136 Oxford Tce, near Re:Start. Late January we are told…

Honours for quake work

All sectors should 'have their say' on city's future

Retail boss says change coming for Christchurch

The woman who has led prominent Christchurch department store Ballantynes through the city's earthquakes says the "momentum of change" is starting to sweep across the quake-hit city.

An Open Letter to All New Zealanders

By Rev Mike Coleman On Behalf of WeCan! and the many Cantabrians who are struggling to be heard.  Written in November 2011. The media would not publish it. From the centre of three earthquakes we write this letter to you, the …

Poptimist ahoy

Earlier this month, I spent a few days in Hobart while attending the conference.This is my favourite photo from the trip, taken on the first afternoon during a random walkabout. In the background is the conference venue, the UTAS School of Art - a converted jam factory on the waterfront.

Brightly painted fishing boats and floating restaurants dominate Hobart harbour - rather a nice change from the hulking great container ships that are prominent in Lyttelton. It was also nice to spend s ...

Major overhaul planned for New Brighton

The quake-damaged, graffiti-ridden Christchurch seaside suburb of New Brighton may soon get a big boost, after decades of neglect.

Seeking Mary Thomas

We have had a message from someone called Mary K looking for Mary Thomas, whom she used to correspond with in the 1970s. Mary Thomas was one of 12 children and may have lived in the St Albans area or …

Christchurch school crime drops by 30 percent

A massive 30 per cent drop in school crime could be to do with the comradeship inspired by earthquakes, a principal has said.

Chch retailers relieved after sales

Many Christchurch retailers are relieved with a bumper boxing day week, after customers turned out for massive sales.

Tradies ending Christchurch man drought

Single ladies of Canterbury have something to celebrate as Christchurch comes back from the dust.

Schools shake-up PR job from hell

The merger of Christchurch schools and the launch of an earthquake recovery plan were among the toughest public relations jobs in 2012.

Education shakeup PR job from hell

The merger of Christchurch schools and the launch of an earthquake recovery plan were among the toughest public relations jobs in 2012.

Gondola due to reopen in March

Young designer committed to ChCh

Constructive role a source of fulfilment

After studying architectural design, Will King decided he wanted to be part of the rebuild.

Foreigners flood in for Chch rebuild

Christchurch's international work force is ramping up.

Social recovery largely ignored

Foreigners flood in for city rebuild

Christchurch's international work force is ramping up.

Latest Pleasant News – Out Now

The latest edition of Pleasant News is being delivered to your letterbox this week but in case you don’t receive a copy here is a link to it minus a [...]

Ferrymead Bridge update

Please see here for the latest update on the Ferrymead Bridge Ferrymead Bridge Update 19 December 2012

The Last Word for 2012

Mt Pleasant Farmers Market The Market that never closes. Open all through the holidays. Trading hours tomorrow and on the 29th December will be 9am to 1pm. Returning to 10am [...]

Quake awards presented

A number of organisations and individuals with a St Albans connection have been recognised in the second and final quake awards presented on December 18. Emma Twaddell from the St Albans Residents’ Association, Helen Ross from the Edgeware Village Group …

2012 Days of Xmas

Another year, another version!

Christchurch demolition crews get into festive spirit

Demolition crews around Christchurch have been busy - not knocking down buildings - but raising funds for the city mission's lunch.

Kiwi churches celebrate Christmas

New Zealand churches have celebrated Christmas today with services around the country.

Christchurch 2012: Rebuilding a shattered city

The aftershocks have all but stopped, but few in Christchurch dare mention the easing of the earth's fury."We're all desperately trying not to invoke the potential for another disaster," says Mayor Bob Parker.Instead, after two...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas.  Back on the 7th of January unless something out of the ordinary occurs before them. This year a Persian Christmas card, from farsinet. Quite fitting really, as the three wise men were Persians. .