News archive

Recovery loses an inspirational leader

A former senior leader at the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Michelle Mitchell, passed away suddenly yesterday after an unexpected illness. She was away for the weekend with her husband in Queenstown.

Certified Builders introduces mandatory building guarantees

MEDIA RELEASE: Certified Builders Association of New Zealand 

Government paid lawyer $43K for Christ Church Cathedral report

The Government paid a lawyer $43,000 for an independent Christ Church Cathedral report, RNZ News reports.

Recovery fatigue – guest blog by Herman Meijburg

I have noticed that those struggling with the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes are having an increasingly hard time staying focused on the resolution of their claims.  

Mt Pleasant News 22 January 2015

We’re Rebuilding. We need your help. Sponsor A Square Foot “We are a registered charity (CC46135) and are also registered with the IRD as a Donee organisation. For every $3 you […]

Exhibition and events mark five years since 22 February 2011

In The Know Community Hub

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Christchurch photo files: Joseph Johnson documents the changing CBD

Photojournalist Joseph Johnson has documented the ever-changing central city over summer.

DOCK70: The people’s shelter is coming to The Commons!

Where we are to date: Gap Filler continues to work with the designers (Maria Chen, Frederic Gapinski, Paul Anselmi and Sebastian Gapinski), The Commons Council, Landscape Architect intern Linnea Jacobson, Te Putahi Centre for Architecture and City Making and our awesome sponsors Aurecon, Placemakers Antigua Street, and Aecom in moving the design through consent. Any […]

Meditate at community centre

Buddhist monk Kelsang Pawo is running drop in classes on meditation and mindfulness on Thursday evenings at the St Albans Community Centre, starting on February 4 at 7.30pm. No booking or commitment is required but there is a $10 charge …

Bishop St wastewater main repairs

SCIRT is busy this week repairing a wastewater main at the intersection of Bishop St and Purchas St. Vehicle drivers will have to find different ways of getting around that area as there is no entry or exit at that …

Revised Papanui Parallel Cycling Scheme

Location: North City Church, 95a Sawyers Arms Rd Time: Jan 27 at 7pm Description: Meeting to alert residents of the changes incorporated in the proposed scheme after earlier feedback as well as the recommendations that will be made to the …

“Connect in the City” Arts Term Finale for Waimairi School

Waimairi School explored how the arts connect us to our community; how it influences, uplifts and enriches our lives and how it facilitates interaction, discussion and exchanges between people. The whole school visited the central city in September 2015 to look at art in context; visiting art on the street, exhibitions, and performances. Gap Filler […]

John Minto: Christchurch rebuild is a 'corporate-led stranglehold'

OPINION: I was taken aback by a recent Stuff story expressing hope that .

McCormacks Bay Restoration Working Bee Dates 2016

2016 McCormacks Bay restoration sessions

12 Superfoods for Healthy Brain You Should Add to Your Menu

Arts Centre bouncing back in 2016

Nearly half of Christchurch's earthquake-damaged Arts Centre will be open by the end of the year.

More businesses for $150m riverside precinct in Christchurch

Stage one of a $150 million Christchurch riverfront office development is nearly three-quarters leased, with consulting engineers Aurecon and insurers Vero securing space.

Supporting careers in property with New Zealand’s Keystone Trust

Coffey is proud to announce Tim Breen as a recipient of the 2016 Keystone Trust scholarship – a New Zealand based initiative providing opportunities for students focused on careers in the property industry. Coffey will mentor Tim, in its 10th year sponsoring the Keystone Trust, as he works towards completion of his Bachelor of Engineering […]

Quake scientists look at NZ's most dangerous fault line

Christchurch earthquake study gives insight into impacts on children

The impacts of an earthquake remain long after a city has been rebuilt.

Packe St AGM and party

Location: St Albans Community Centre, 1047 Colombo Street Time: February 28, 4-6pm Description: Packe Street Park and Community Garden Inc is marking its 20th anniversary with the AGM and a birthday party with tea and entertainment laid on. There will …

Part time gardening co-ordinator sought

Packe Street Community Garden Inc is looking for a Coordinator, initially on a small contract. If you have an interest in community and organic gardening, are available on Thursday afternoons to coordinate a diverse range of volunteer gardeners and have …

How Does Christchurch Central Look Five Years after the February 22nd Earthquake

I seldom go into the central city these days but decided to spend the morning there and walk around with tourist eyes. It was good to see some new buildings around and others under construction, as well as some old beauties that have been fully restored . However, there are still masses of condemned buildings and large areas of what can only be described as waste land. Christchurch Cathedral stands surrounded by high fences and warning signs while other historic buildings are bolstered up by shi ...

Christchurch Cathedral Five Years after the Earthquakes

On February 22nd 2016, it will be five years since Christchurch central and surrounds were devastated by a 6.3 earthquake and numerous aftershocks. The Gothic-style Christchurch Cathedral was badly damaged in the shakes and has been standing in a state of disrepair ever since. say that a final decision about its future should be made in April 2016. Many hope that it will be restored to its former glory. At present, it stands fenced off with camera surveillance to stop people trespassing and ent ...

What's the word for 2016?: Another year in the Christchurch recovery

Could this be emblematic – finally, the new normal?

Government remains happy with EQC home repair programme

Canterbury's home repair programme has been a "huge success" despite thousands of properties needing a second round of repairs, the Government says.

What happens at Christchurch's Margaret Mahy playground after dark?

The newly opened Margaret Mahy Family Playground got rave reviews from children, but what happens after dark?

Public Notice: Amendment to Land Use Recovery Plan to remove land at Avonhead from Greenfield Priority Area

Let's get things moving

With 2016 now in full swing, our team are back on board and ready to work with you to get your claim settled. 

Developers get help to cut through Christchurch's red tape

Drone footage shows repairs to retaining wall on Christchurch's Sumner Rd

Drone footage has captured work to repair retaining walls on the quake-damaged road between Lyttelton and Sumner.

Social media helps isolated Cantabs deal with quake recovery

Dissatisfaction with the Government-led earthquake recovery is behind the social media uprising among many unhappy Cantabrians, new research has found.

EQC has about 5500 shoddily repaired homes to fix

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has about 5500 second-time repairs to carry out on Canterbury homes because of poor workmanship, failed or incorrect repair strategies, scope omissions and new damage

Great Place to be: Christchurch eco house is passive

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Christchurch eco house is passive

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Piano Shelter Project

Since 2011 Gap Filler has been providing homes for pre-loved pianos in public spaces and vacant sites around Christchurch. Pianos have come and gone and have been up-cycled after they have had their day in the sun . . . of course the better the shelter the longer the life of the piano. . . […]

Design and location of the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial

CERA Development Director, Rob Kerr, introduces the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial and its designer, Grega Vezjak, who shares his vision for the Memorial. We hope you enjoy this poignant insight into the location for the Memorial, the design and design selection process.

Mahy playground 'misses the mark' for children with special needs - advocate

Christchurch's multi-million dollar Margaret Mahy Playground has come under fire for its lack of disability-friendly equipment.

Margaret Mahy "misses the mark" for children with special needs - advocate

Emily Spink

Last Notices before Holidays

Sponsor A Square Foot update Since the delivery of the Pleasant News earlier in the month we have had more contributors to our Sponsorasquarefoot campaign which is great – thank you!  As we […]

On this day - 2010 Haiti earthquake

Cantabrians begin to tell the world…

How long did the New Zealand Government and the private insurance industry think it would take before Cantabrians began to publicize their plight internationally. 2016 will see a resurgence of activity from the affected population.   http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/69310952/christchurch-homeowner-to-lead-iag-class-action https://www.change.org/p/iag-insurance-a-class-action-lawsuit-will-result-if-you-continue-to-mistreat-your-customers-and-this-will-affect-your-state-i ...

Self Regulation and the art of navel gazing…

Was it just a failure by a regulatory authority, overlooked by a Government department, or it was intentional support of corporates by the government? Government departments don’t ‘overlook’ regulatory failures. Ministers decide what will or won’t be done!

Gallery, playground bring life to Christchurch CBD, highlight lack of progress

Wellington's St Mary of the Angels Church refit could show Christchurch the way

Take note, Christchurch - Wellington's St Mary of the Angels church could provide a blueprint for rebuilding your stricken cathedral.

Forgotten mosaic discovered at historic Mona Vale, Christchurch

Global interest in Christchurch's recovery

Delegations from more than 30 countries have been hosted by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority since 2011 as diplomats come to see first-hand how the city is recovering.

Global interest in Christchurch's recovery

Delegations from more than 30 countries have been hosted by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority since 2011 as diplomats come to see first-hand how the city is recovering.

Strong earthquake shakes lower North Island

Reopened Christchurch Art Gallery tops 40,000 visitors

Jenny Harper did not know what sort of response to expect when the Christchurch Art Gallery reopened just before Christmas. Now she knows.

About damn time…..

Finally after more than five years of messing around with the lives of thousands of Cantabrians the Insurance Council has introduced a new code of conduct for its members. Insurers face a potential fine of up to $100,000 (yes that’s all) …

About damn time…..or is it lipstick on a pig?

Finally after more than five years of messing around with the lives of thousands of Cantabrians the Insurance Council has introduced a new code of conduct for its members. Insurers face a potential fine of up to $100,000 (yes that’s all) …

Happy New Year Folks, 2015 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog. You helped to make it happen. I look forward to hearing more from you all in 2016. Here’s an excerpt: Madison Square Garden can seat 20,000 people …

2016 set to be the year Christchurch city emerges from the rubble

Insurance Council- Earthquake claim limitation

Here is the press release from the insurance council to the effect that CNZ members AA Insurance, FMG, the IAG brands, MAS, Tower and Vero have agreed not to plead a defence under the Limitation Act 1950 or the Limitation Act 2010 for any residential claim relating to the Canterbury Earthquakes where proceedings are filed in the Courts before 4 September 2017.  This does not affect claims against EQC or Southern Response.   To save arguments and issues I still recommend that owners sue insurers ...

EQC- limitation earthquake claims

Here is the link to the press release from the EQC website about how it will apply the limitation period(s) under the Limitation Act.  To be safe I recommend that owners sue before 4 September 2016.  Better to be safe than sorry.

The plan against the rebuild

How much did Christchurch's Margaret Mahy playground cost?

It's time to clarify the costs of the Margaret Mahy Family Playground.

Future still uncertain for Christchurch's historic Odeon Theatre

Community groups and investors may have the opportunity to give Christchurch's historical Odeon Theatre a second chance after engineering advice found the building's remains are safe.