News archive

Day 867 - yesterdays article

By Mike Peters

I was looking forward to reading the article that was yesterday.

John McCrone rang up and came to do the interview a few weeks back. Originally John had wanted to do an article to be published around the opening of 124 Garlands Rd. Endless delays caused by the Council consents process put paid to that.

John is senior feature writer at The Press so I was curious to see what his take on it all would be.

I have learnt in my short life that other people of ...

Several ways to progress claims

Homeowner Monique Cupples has a bone to pick with Southern Response and its stated policy of being "firm but fair" with customers over insurance claims.

Government clueless on illegal consents

The Government has no idea how long illegal building consents were being issued by Christchurch City Council or how many have been issued.

Christchurch building safety evaluated

The Government can't say for sure that new buildings in Christchurch are safe.

WeCAN Response to EQC OIA Response

: deliberate treachery, deceit through trustingness in New Zealand. 

A 'sneeze away' from trouble

A 'sneeze away' from trouble

Day 866 - helping people help themselves

Transitional square opens in Christchurch

Christchurch people were officially welcomed back into Cathedral Square - the heart of the city - on Saturday with live music and a speech by outgoing Mayor Bob Parker.

What’s Going On in this City???? … More on the “Guidelines”

In conjunction with Adrian Cowie’s work on foundation levels in a previous post I would like to make the following comments about the Guidelines generally. (See).

Stress behind Parker's decision

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has had enough.

AA Insurance - Sum insured for Canterbury customers – cover for retaining walls (bad news for Wellington and Auckland too?)

AA have updated their new policy information to include two questions and answers relating to retaining walls (they are basically the same question put twice). 

Public Notice: Draft Land Use Recovery Plan

The Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee has received the draft Land Use Recovery Plan from Environment Canterbury. Environment Canterbury developed the draft Land Use Recovery Plan with its strategic partners Christchurch City Council, Selwyn and Waimakariri District Councils, Te Rūnunga o Ngāi Tahu, NZ Transport Agency and CERA, as directed in November 2012 under Section 16 of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011.

Fencing demand high in recovery

The central city cordon in Christchurch is disappearing but boom times are far from over for fencing companies.

Draft Christchurch housing plan released

A plan to determine where future housing, businesses and infrastructure should be in Canterbury over the next 15 years will be sent to Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee on Friday.

EQC & DBH - deviousness with house floor levels?

Adrian Cowie, Director of Topografo Ltd., has written an article pointing out the inappropriate (incompetent and deceitful?) practices being used by EQC on the basis of the Department of Building and Housing’s less than professional amendment to building guidelines.

Decision to not seek re-election statement from mayor Bob Parker

Their strength astonishes me and I know they now deserve to move forward with their lives with a new Mayor at the helm.  Everyone deserves a fresh start and this city needs to be led by someone who has the energy and drive to take them on this journey.The future is so bright for this magnificent city and I know there are many tremendous things already starting to happen here. 

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker won't seek re-election

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has pulled out of the upcoming mayoral race.

The DBH Guidelines and EQC – Operation ‘Hoodwink’

If you are a homeowner in Canterbury and have made an insurance claim for earthquake damage, then this article may be of interest to you.  However, reader discretion is advised – the conclusions may be alarming.

CanCERN Newsletter #90 - 5 July 2013

Riskpool will cease cover for council works

Christchurch City Council has today received advice from Riskpool, its professional indemnity and public liability insurer, that Riskpool will cease cover for council works arising under the Building Act, effective for all claims from 1 July 2013.

Riskpool’s withdrawal of cover will be managed

Gerry Brownlee | Building and Construction

NZ Post drops red zone mail deliveries

Statement from New Zealand Post spokesman Michael Tull:

Day 865 - bus stop ready to roof

The Garlands Rd job today was finishing off a "bus stop" style small shelter. Following on from 2 weeks ago, the remaining timber framing was cut, painted and assembled. The guttering was inserted after a lot of notching and trimming. Next Friday, the roof iron needs to be cut, painted and put up with roofing nails.

Enough timber to make 2 warehouse style heavy duty storage racks was also cut today. These will be painted and then assembled,and then put into storage till the pole barn is e ...

Fencing demand high in Chch recovery

The central city cordon in Christchurch is disappearing but boom times are far from over for fencing companies.

Greater Christchurch Recovery Update - Issue 23 (July 2013)

[PDF 1.7MB]

Land Use Recovery Plan passed to Minister

Environment Canterbury today handed the draft Land Use Recovery Plan for greater Christchurch to Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee. Mr Brownlee gave Environment Canterbury responsibility for developing the plan late last year.

Anxiety Support in North Canterbury

Reduced vehicle access around Cathedral Square

Vehicles can now use Colombo Street adjacent to Cathedral Square.   Adjacent to Cathedral square there is a one way loop along Worcester Street up Oxford Terrace and right on to Gloucester Street.

Transport for Christchurch Map Updates following the Central City Cordon Removal

The Christchurch City Council and NZTA are working hard to ensure that we can open up the highest number of routes around the city following the removal of the rebuild zone.

Home's EQC fight headed for court trial

Maryville Retirement Village has lost a $1.2 million claim against the Earthquake Commission in the High Court, but the case is heading for trial.

Safety comes first in rebuild

The construction industry downed tools yesterday to sign a new safety charter in an effort to curb workplace injuries in the Canterbury rebuild.

Day 864 - 50 binders

The ongoing reorganisation of Addington Action to expand capacity and reliability continues ...

90% of the paper records are now in a structured system of 50 ring binders that in turn contain dividers. This job was supposed to have been done last winter but was delayed due to cancer surgery for the volunteer responsible.

The same files are now also stored electronically on Google Drive in a hierarchy of 407 folders nested in side each other. Using 2.3GB (15%) of 15 GB storage avail ...

New EQC booklet - Settling land claims

EQC have released a new booklet that provides a summary of the land settlement claim process. There is information in the booklet on:

Day 864 - Phil Nussbaumer gets a community service award

Phil Nussbaumer recieved a community services award tonight from the Spreydon Heathcote Community Board.



Nominated by Mike Peters and Christine Blance

Phillip Nussbaumer has been involved with Addington Action since it
began on 22 February 2011. A committee member and street representative,
Phillip has built long drops and delivered food parcels.

A very dedicated and skilled person, Phillip quietly helps out in the
background and is always prepared to suppor ...

John Campbell speaks to Bob Parker

The entire City Council voted in favour of the idea today.

John Campbell spoke to Mayor Bob Parker on the show.

New Zealand’s Amateur Media

Chch City Council stripped of consent powers

The Christchurch City Council has voted unanimously to call on the government to help solve its consents crisis.

Mayor to open transitional Cathedral Square works

Christchurch City Council welcomes the release of Cathedral Square from the rebuild cordon and is pressing ahead with transitional work in the area to encourage people and businesses back to the Central City.

Crown Manager to be appointed to assist Council

The Christchurch City Council today invited Local Government Minister, Hon Chris Tremain to put in place a Crown Manager to address problems with its building consents processes, and help regain its accreditation from IANZ.

Chch earthquake video goes viral

Insurance Companies Delay While Builders Businesses Crash and Burn

Builders are struggling to find work despite repeated reports that the rebuild is ramping up.

World city expert from Harvard to talk about Christchurch’s exciting future

Last line of defence fails to inspire confidence

Day 864 - PIM and proper

The saga with the city council consents department over 124 Garlands Rd continues....

The PIM that was issued in May wrongly referred to Resource Consent requirements that had to be met in order for the building to go ahead.

Someone finally rang from the council planners and admitted that the PIM by the council was wrong and would be reissued with the corrections.

Thank you.

A revised PIM and a form to apply for an emergency depot are to be sent by email from the coun ...

More transparency on the Christchurch rebuild helpful

CCDU market update welcomed

"It signals a clear intent for greater private sector engagement in the next phase of the rebuild", says Stephen Selwood, CEO, NZCID.

Families for Families spread cheer in Chch

Christchurch based charitable trust Families for Families is making 600 food packs for the Salvation Army to deliver next week to spread some mid year cheer.

Novotel Chch out of the Red Zone

Christchurch has reclaimed its CBD following the removal of the Red Zone cordon on Sunday. Locals thronged Cathedral Square to mark the end of the cordon around the city centre, which was originally 387 hectares, and can now roam free for the first time since February 2011.

Civil Aviation Act review underway

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Time for council and govt to act like consenting adults - Lianne Dalziel

Labour is repeating its call for Christchurch City Council and the government to form a collaborative partnership in the wake of news today that the council has asked for a Crown manager to step in and that its chief executive is on leave.

July Forum

Land Claims Process Summary

Business students build positive community organisations

Business students at the University of Canterbury are part of a pilot project to help build positive community organisations. Second-year business students taking the paper Management 208 – Principles of Leadership are learning a range of skills that have been …

Colombo Street – Lane Closure – From the 15th July

The southbound lane on Colombo Street between Bealey Avenue and Salisbury Street will be closed for approximately 6 weeks.

Cranford St likely to be rezoned business/commercial

Most of Cranford Street is likely to be rezoned business/commercial due to the proposed four laning of part of the street. The Shirley Papanui Community Board plans to advocate for this zoning change to encourage the development of appropriate commercial …

Fitzgerald Ave, Ferry Road end – Update

Work has been progressing ahead of schedule on this project.

Fitzgerald Avenue, Ferry Road end – Update

Work has been progressing ahead of schedule on this project. From the 8th July work will commence on Fitgerald Avenue between Ferry Road  and Alfred Street. There will continue to be lane closures in place for Northbound traffic. Expected delays …

Rebuild safety charter signed

Representatives from the construction and insurance industries have signed a safety charter, aimed at keeping workers safe during the rebuild of Christchurch.

Government commits to safe Canterbury rebuild

Gerry Brownlee | ACC