My submission to Treasury as part of the review of the Earthquake Commission.

As many of you will be aware the Earthquake Commission’s (EQC) funding and structure is to come under scrutiny in a government review of the legislation designed to provide a degree of public insurance and financial protection when natural disasters strike. Finance Minister Bill English and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced the review of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 to be led by Treasury, with help from the Reserve Bank, EQC, Ministry of Business, Innovation ...

Day 698 - New base for Action group will give residents boost

By Nick Tollerton
Christchurch Star January 21 2013.

Addington Action will be able to step up its work helping uninsured south Christchurch householders fix their homes when its new base in Garlands Rd opens in March.

The volunteer organisation, which has now spread its net to look after residents in the area from Hoon Hay to Waltham and Opawa, has been given a section by the city council for a peppercorn rental, and was finalising the design last week for a 300 sq m pol ...

Southern Response: customer meeting

Day 698 - welded using a trailer as a workbench

Today 2 gates for 124 Garlands Rd were welded up using the tandem trailer as a work bench. The crane for tipping the trailer was rejigged to turn the gates over.

A hired MIG welder did the job.

Christchurch mayor's new idea for damaged cathedral

Demolition starts on community centre

Work has begun on demolishing the South Brighton Community Centre in Beatty St.

Hope Bear … here until the end of January 2013

The Hope Bear is a 4.5m mural by local artist Tess Sheerin on the corner of Riccarton Rd and Rotheram Street.  It was created with the intention to help brighten up the city and inspire other people in Christchurch to make their mark.

Feb 26: Hope Bear

The Hope Bear was a 4.5m mural by local artist Tess Sheerin on the corner of Riccarton Rd and Rotheram Street.  It was created with the intention to help brighten up the city and inspire other people in Christchurch to make their mark. Below is the process video giving you an idea of how Tess [...]

Feb 26: Hope Bear … is here for only a little while longer

The Hope Bear is a 4.5m mural by local artist Tess Sheerin on the corner of Riccarton Rd and Rotheram Street.  It was created with the intention to help brighten up the city and inspire other people in Christchurch to make their mark. Below is the process video giving you an idea of how Tess [...]

South Brighton Community Centre demolition to begin

Demolition of the South Brighton Community Centre will begin today (Monday 21 January) and is expected to be completed early next month.

UC confirms status as world-leading academic institution in earthquake design research

January 20, 2013

Arts Centre Bookshop hopeful

Arts Centre Bookshop owner Darryl Wells is feeling the loss of tourists to the city.

Questions and Answers on the Christchurch for Real Programme

Over the holidays, we have received additional questions about the programme, which may be of interest to you.

Entries to the Long Term Plan 2013-2022 photo competition close next week

Entries to the Christchurch City Council photographic competition - to find an image that will appear on the cover of the Council's Long Term Plan - close on Friday 1 February 2013.

Rebuild needs 'all hands to the pump'

The Government should turn a blind eye to illegal migrants working in Christchurch's rebuild because the city needs all hands on deck, former high-profile politician Don Brash says.

Wetting beds a big issue after quakes

Bedwetting in unsettled Christchurch children is becoming a serious health issue, concerning health professionals.

Priority should be on rebuild, not migrants - Brash

The Government should turn a blind eye to illegal migrants working in Christchurch's rebuild because the city needs all hands on deck, former high-profile politician Don Brash says.

Water – A Commons or a Commodity?

Location: Oxford Tce Baptist Church Lounge cnr of Madras St and Oxford Tce Time: February 27 at 7.30pm Description: Is water a human right or a commodity? Economist Suzi Kerr will explain options for managing water now and in the …

Cardboard cathedral branded as 'risky'

Anglican leaders are pushing ahead with the cardboard cathedral, despite funding for the project being questioned by a High Court judge.

$20m to be allocated this year

More than $20 million of earthquake-relief funding will be allocated by next year as millions more dollars donated to charities wait to be spent.

Donnithorne unveils plan for church

Architect Don Donnithorne has unveiled his vision for Christ Church Cathedral in a bid to drum up enthusiasm for repairing the forlorn building.

Mayor's vision: A cathedral in glass

In one of the most ambitious Christ Church Cathedral concepts yet, Bob Parker is calling for the historical ruins to be encased in a "crystalline structure" to serve as a reminder to the past.

Drat the rats

Rats are a growing problem in a city with unattended buildings and abandoned houses. If rats are coming from, or breeding in, a specific source (e.g. a poultry house, shed / garage with rubbish, food premises) contact the Council Action …

Geonet: 'Expect aftershocks to follow 4.6'

Cantabrians should expect a series of aftershocks to follow last night's magnitude 4.6 quake. 

Expert: 'Expect aftershocks to follow 4.6'

Cantabrians should expect a series of aftershocks to follow last night's magnitude 4.6 quake. 

CCC Media Advisory - no damage reported due to latest aftershock.

Christchurch City Council Media Advisory 9.30pm Sat 19 January 2013

4.6 Aftershock Rocks Christchurch - January 19 2013

At 9:15pm on the 19 January 2013, Christchurch and Canterbury were shaken by a 4.6 aftershock that was centred near Rolleston. It was the largest shake the area has had in over six months. recorded the magnitude as 4.62 at 12 kilometres deep and it released 128 tonnes of energy.

4.7 quake rattles Christchurch

Cantabrians have been shaken by a 4.7 magnitude quake this evening. 

Largest aftershock since July

Cantabrians were tonight shaken by the largest aftershock to hit the region since July of last year. 

Day 695 - banking split

Today Addington Action's funds were split between 2 bank accounts. The existing account is now for the Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op (CSFVC). The new account has just had an initial $40,000 transferred into it for the free repairs of uninsured homes.

The reason is to make it easier for members to understand and make decisions about how money is spent etc, as well as for public accountability.

Both accounts will be integrated into the online accounting system at Xero.c ...

St Albans boundaries

We received a query recently from someone in Mairehau about SARA or St Albans boundaries which raised a very good question. This linked map shows St Albans boundaries. The original St Albans suburb included land as far as Rossall Street, …

Coverup of asbestos condemned

Covering up asbestos in earthquake-damaged homes is "completely immoral", a Christchurch man exposed to the material says.

Cover up of asbestos condemned

Covering up asbestos in earthquake-damaged homes is "completely immoral", a Christchurch man exposed to the material says.

Detour on Hills Road

If you travel south along Hills Road you will face a detour over the next five weeks as SCIRT replaces the wastewater pipes. Traffic travelling north will not be detoured but will need to travel a bit slower than usual …

Artbox wants you ...

Welcome to 2013 – we hope you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable break and, like us, are looking forward to a prod [...]

Christchurch rebuild set to accelerate

The rebuilders of Christchurch are getting back to business after a Christmas break with expectations that growth will increase significantly in coming quarters perhaps even to double-digit levels.

Marketing firm returns to Christchurch

The time is right for Australasian marketing firm Designworks to reopen its Christchurch office, with optimism abounding in the Garden City, its new regional managing director says.

Can I keep my house or some items from it? - Southern Response FAQ

Geotechnical engineers in New Year honours

FIFA looks to Christchurch for Under 20 World Cup in 2015

A delegation from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) will be visiting Christchurch this weekend to discuss hosting rights for matches as part of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in 2015.

Job in New Zealand 'like winning Lotto'

One hundred nametag-wearing hopefuls are in a room, all chasing a shot at a new life.

Firm has workers from all around globe

Job in New Zealand 'like winning Lotto'

Developer on a $100m Victoria St mission

Again Policyholders Miss Out: the Delay to the Solvency II Legislation

Canterbury architects want historic Lyttelton building saved

Christchurch feels 11,000th earthquake

A minor aftershock that rolled through Christchurch today may be the 11,000th earthquake endured by Cantabrians.

11,000 quakes since Sept, 2010

A magnitude-3.3 earthquake which struck Christchurch this afternoon marks the 11,000th tremor since September 4, 2010.

Garden for LiVs

Hub puts Kiwis at front of jobs line

Changes to work visa rules are set to give Kiwis even more preference for jobs working on Christchurch's rebuild.

Relining pipes in Bealey Avenue

Investors last part of worker housing

Property development and management firm Domain Consulting aims to build 100 houses for rebuild workers in Christchurch before the year is out.

Hague plugs UK role in rebuild

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has raised the possibility of substantial British involvement in Christchurch's rebuild.

Southern Response – additional temporary accommodation information

Breathing, Relaxation & Mindfulness Course @ MHAPS

Hague tours Christchurch red zone today

British Foreign Secretary William Hague lands in Christchurch today and has made touring the quake-battered inner city red zone a priority.On day two of his whistle-stop New Zealand visit, he will lay a wreath at the naval base...

$2b in payouts to be shared for land claims

Canterbury property owners with earthquake-damaged land are likely to share some $2 billion in payouts as the Earthquake Commission gears up to settle land claims.

Hague to visit Christchurch

Visiting British Foreign Secretary William Hague will head to Christchurch today.

Project managers sought

The Ministry of Health is hunting for project managers to drive the $650 million upgrade of the Christchurch and Burwood hospitals to give the medical redevelopment a running start.

EQC treatment of asbestos meets legislative requirements