News archive

Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill passes

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed unanimous support for the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill during its third and final reading in Parliament today.

Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill passes

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Historic churches moved, set to be restored

A woman has bought and moved two historic earthquake-damaged churches, with the project one of the largest for a house-moving company.

$3m spent saving historic Canterbury home

A Canterbury couple spent two years and $3 million saving an earthquake-damaged historic home after they "fell in love with it".

A systems approach to managing human resources in disaster recovery project

Sydenham Heritage Church rubble to be cleared after five years

Clearance of the Sydenham Heritage Church rubble will start in about two months.

Law changes mean local lead for Christchurch's new rebuild authority

Law changes mean local lead for Christchurch's new rebuild authority

Law changes mean local lead for Christchurch's new rebuild authority, but Brownlee still has veto

Law changes mean local lead for Christchurch's new rebuild authority, but Brownlee still has veto

Welsh slate from Southland Hospital used in Canterbury earthquake rebuild

Welsh slate from a condemned Southland Hospital building has given new life to the historic Christchurch Arts Centre damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes.

Christchurch: My personal post-quake tour

Christchurch, New Zealand has long been known as The Garden City. However, these days when I mention my home-away-from-home in New Zealand, I'm likely to hear, "Isn't that the place that was pretty much destroyed by an earthquake?"

The Tairuaumoko Roadshow

Insurers pushing gag orders on settlements

A Christchurch insurance advocate says gag orders on insurance settlements benefit no one, but the insurer's reputation. A number of customers have told Newstalk ZB their insurer has refused to settle unless they stop posting...

Chch developers unfazed by furore over steel mesh

Confidence slump among Christchurch landlords

Optimism among Christchurch's commercial property investors has sunk to pre-earthquake levels as the rebuild drags on.

Reassuring customers concerning the limitation period

Southern Response announced today that it will not rely on a limitation defence for claims arising out of the Canterbury earthquakes for any proceedings filed in Court before 4 September 2018 – that is, eight years after the first Canterbury earthquake.

Hundreds of quake claims still going over cap

About 120 homeowners a month are starting earthquake repairs from scratch as their claims are finally referred to insurance companies.

Hundreds of quake claims still going over cap

About 120 homeowners a month are starting earthquake repairs from scratch as their claims are finally referred to insurance companies.

New Regent St repair work on track for April 6 completion

Business will soon return to normal on New Regent St, with repair work on five quake-damaged buildings on track to be completed by Wednesday, April 6.

World-class sensory children's garden for east Christchurch

A world-class sensory garden with a musical path is about take form in east Christchurch.

Customers claim earthquake repairs shoddy

A builder responsible for 150 earthquake repairs has seen some homeowners terminate their contracts amid claims of poor workmanship, delays and jobs that do not meet consent requirements.

Trust may oversee Provincial Chambers repair

The earthquake-damaged Canterbury Provincial Chambers could be sold to a trust to fast track its multimillion-dollar restoration.

Housing repairs will create 'hideous' conditions

More than 60 residents at a city council-owned complex face eight months of noise, dust and constant shuddering because of earthquake repairs.

THE MBIE GUIDELINES – THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY’S NEW CLOTHES – Guest post and perspective article by Kalev Crossland

In 2010, soon after the start of Canterbury’s earthquake sequence, the Department ofBuilding and Housing published guidance on the repair and reconstruction of earthquake-damaged houses. These guidelines, now under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE), were a poorly …

Christchurch earthquake survivor's epic tale: 'He gave me my life'

Five years on from the Christchurch earthquake, incredible stories of bravery and courage are still emerging for the first time. shares the story of three strangers united forever by the events of that day.

Quake survivor's epic tale: 'He gave me my life'

Community invited to provide feedback on Coastal Hazard Report

GHD has been appointed by Christchurch City Council to manage an independent review of the Coastal Hazard Assessment Report (Tonkin & Taylor 2015), and we are seeking the community’s input. […]

In the Know Community Hosts

Earthquake support to continue in city libraries – In the Know Community Hosts Although in the Know Hub has closed, support is continuing for people still dealing with claims, repairs and […]

Supporters of Redcliffs School

Dear Supporters of Redcliffs School, After the Rally to Reopen Redcliffs School last year we know your organisation has many people that would like to support this issue and be […]

And another gap to fill!

Some changes to how we do things has meant an other new role at Gap Filler is up for grabs! We are now also searching for a Project Developer. This person will be part of the team(s) that create our awesome projects. Experience in project, event and/or people management would be an advantage and of […]

Caffe Roma building gets $900,000 council grant

New owners planning to restore a historic central Christchurch building will get a $869,500 city council grant.

Can you help us fill a gap?

We are looking for a new Activator! Your role will be to help organise the events and activities that occur on the Gap Filler sites around the city (think discos at the Dance O Mat, poetry readings at the Book Fridge and concerts at Sound Garden).   If this sounds like you, contact rachael@gapfiller.org.nz for […]

Caffe Roma building gets council grant

New owners planning to restore a historic central Christchurch building will get a $869,500 city council grant.

Solution found to coordinate tram and construction

Agreement has been reached to keep the trams operating while paving work is completed on the section of track through Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct’s The Terraces, says Christchurch Central Development Unit Director Baden Ewart.

Treasury describes EQC claimants as “weary and distrustful”

Release: New Zealand Labour Party

Christchurch painter says building firms using tradespeople 'like banks'

Christchurch's building industry bills are mounting and it's taking longer for tradespeople to be paid.

Proposed cap on rates' increases at 5 per cent in draft Plan

Christchurch City Council is proposing to cap its average rates' increase at five per cent for the 2016-17 financial year and for a further two years after that. 

Awatea housing development completed!

$20m mental health package for Canterbury

Release: New Zealand Government

Southern Response earthquake claims settlement could take until 2019

It could be almost another three years before Southern Response settles all of its Canterbury earthquake claims.

Arts Centre clock tower building ready for new life

As earthquake repairs are completed stone by stone across Christchurch's historic Arts Centre, one of the complex's best-known spots is ready for new occupants.

University of Canterbury engineering programme drops in global ranking

The University of Canterbury's (UC) civil and structural engineering programme has dropped five places in the latest international ranking.

Half-billion dollar plan for Christchurch's old convention centre site

A half-billion dollar precinct of shops, offices, hotels, restaurants and apartments is planned for Christchurch's old convention centre site.

Mechanisms of response and implications for the performance of pile groups in laterally spreading soils

Builders get tough on making clients pay up to escape debt collectors

Debt collectors are chasing more builders as the money they owe skyrockets.

130-year-old Oxford Baptist Church to rebuild in central Christchurch

Central Christchurch's Baptist community is launching a $8.5 million rebuild to replace their 130-year old heritage-listed church that collapsed in the earthquakes.

130-year-old Oxford Baptist church to rebuild

Central Christchurch's Baptist community is launching a $8.5 million rebuild to replace their 130-year old heritage-listed church that collapsed in the earthquakes.

Lonely journey for elderly Christchurch woman for earthquake repairs

Ina Drury, 86, is waiting to get her home repaired for a second time.

Lonely journey for elderly Christchurch woman for earthquake repairs

Ina Drury, 86, is waiting to get her home repaired for a second time.

Recovery entities say new model will work

Community led opportunity for renewal — Kobe earthquake recovery 1995–2000

Playing hardball on splitting Christchurch's repair bill

Developer Antony Gough criticises new 30kmh speed limit, lack of car parks and cycle lanes in CBD

A prominent developer says Christchurch is becoming the "inaccessible" city.

CHCH SOUP Summer 2016

Another balmy evening was enjoyed at The Commons for CHCH SOUP Summer 2016, where more than $600 was raised for the pot.  We heard pitches for an inner-city composting service, a social enterprise supporting quality photography services for non-profits, an adventurous battle sport and a project documenting the merging schools in Aranui giving them a […]

Devastated families want someone held accountable for Christchurch quake deaths

Errol Hadfield is resigned to the fact no-one will be held accountable for the death of his daughter-in-law during the February 2011 earthquake.

Parties commend work on Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill

The changes to the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill will not be seen for another two weeks.

Tram track closure 'disastrous' for retailers, say Christchurch landowners

Central Christchurch landowners and retailers say the closure of a tram route for road upgrades will be disastrous for business.

Vero settlement agreement valid

On March 2016 the Court of Appeal in Prattley Enterprises Ltd v Vero Insurance New Zealand Ltd [2016] NZCA 67 dismissed an appeal by an insured against the High Court’s refusal to set aside a settlement agreement on the grounds of mistake.  It also comments on the inappropriateness of a Risk Worldwide person (George Keys) purporting to give “expert’ evidence when that person had a financial interest in the outcome of the claim.  Prattley claimed that it was mistaken in relation ...

Building firm admits creating false earthquake repair documents

A Christchurch building firm and its owner have been fined $2500 each for falsifying documents relating to earthquake repairs.