News archive by Category

Sustainable apartment plan chosen for Crown-owned Christchurch site

Homeowners could share cars and bikes and co-own energy facilities in a new non-profit housing project announced for central Christchurch.

Quake claims lawyer Grant Shand questions conflict claims

Christchurch quake advocates face class action challenge

Potentially costly class action against Southern Response given go-ahead

The High Court has given the go-ahead to a class action with the potential to cost Government-owned insurer Southern Response hundreds of millions of dollars.

More congestion as Christchurch faces 'failing transport system' - report

Christchurch's reliance on private cars will result in a "failing transport system".

Glowworms sparkle on a Waitomo rural getaway

For most of us, Waitomo is synonymous with glowworm caves. Beneath the idyllic pastures and green hills of rural Waikato, you'll find a complex and elaborate system of caves and tunnels that have been drawing adventurers and explorers for more than a century.

New hospital road designed for quick drop-offs and pick-ups

People frustrated with driving around Christchurch Hospital can look forward to improvements with the opening of the road outside the outpatients building on Wednesday.

Building stuck in consenting wrangle

Through blue tinted windows, the six-level building at 230 High Street looks almost ready to open.

Town Hall reopening to be staged as project faces $15m cost blowout

The reopening of parts of the Christchurch Town Hall will be delayed as the project to repair it faces a $15 million blowout.

Christchurch City Council looking at car park buildings north of Cathedral Square

Developers are being sought for a new car park building north of Christchurch's Cathedral Square.

Brittens sell quake-damaged Christchurch heritage building

A heritage art deco building featured on a list of Christchurch's worst post-quake eyesores is set to be restored.

Clarity for coastal residents wanting to rebuild quake-hit homes

Coastal Christchurch residents can rebuild their earthquake-ruined homes after a bureaucratic bungle was overturned.

Earthquake Commission: No agreed claim deal for future disaster

New Zealand's natural disaster safety net has no agreement with insurers to receive claims as happened after the Kaikōura quakes, if another major event strikes.

St Asaph St 30kmh proposal going forward despite lack of public support

A speed limit reduction on Christchurch's St Asaph St will be recommended to the council, despite public feedback largely opposing the idea.

Looking for the lessons: Earthquake Symposium has messages for the country

Abandoned Christchurch eyesore to be demolished by February

It had a brief delay, but the demolition of an abandoned Christchurch hotel once called a "festering cesspit for squatters" is expected to be finished by the end of January.

Otakaro costs $16m to run, expects 'flow-on' benefits for Christchurch soon

Christchurch is about to see "sharp, steep growth" in benefits from Crown-funded anchor projects after several years of steady spending, a parliamentary select committee has been told.

Christchurch earthquake claims still pouring in to High Court

More than 550 court cases over Christchurch earthquake insurance disputes are active in the High Court, and new cases are continuing to pour in.

Cutting roof from Christchurch stadium would pay for Cathedral Square revamp

After eight long years,Christchurch has turned its attention to the creation of a suitable facility for sports and events. Momentum is building for the construction of a $480 million dollar covered stadium, a bigger version of Dunedin's.

Reborn Manchester St an over-priced roading joke

At the advent of December, dreams of a road-cone-free central city are nearing fruition, largely delivering on the Christchurch mayor's Christmas wish.

Calls for section of Christchurch's Colombo St to become pedestrian mall

A transport planner is calling for a short section of Christchurch's Colombo St to be turned into a pedestrian mall.

Lichfield Courtyard the latest inner-city laneway to open to the public

Christchurch continues to re-embrace its pre-earthquake laneway culture with the opening of a new space on Lichfield St.

Building a bridge to nowhere

Rebuild cities fast not but hastily, disaster expert says

Christchurch's earthquake recovery has been both very similar and very different to disasters overseas, an international expert says.

First shops open in new central Christchurch complex with more to come

Another milestone in Christchurch's retail precinct has been reached with the completion of the Guthrey Centre rebuild.

EQC inquiry will not be fault-finding, says head Dame Silvia Cartwright

A new community group may be formed to make sure the public get their say in the Earthquake Commission (EQC) inquiry, its head says.

Trust and transparency lacking after Canterbury earthquakes, symposium told

There was very little finger pointing, no naming of names.

Newly opened river promenade connects up Christchurch

Grey skies did not put off hundreds of hardy Cantabrians celebrating the opening of the new promenade along the Avon River this morning.

Private developers take on Crown site for riverside apartment development

Developers buying a central Christchurch property from the Crown will build a $14 million complex of units for both residential and work use.

Christchurch's new riverside promenade to open after five years of work

Central Christchurch's new riverside promenade opens along its full length for the first time on Sunday after five years of construction.

Regional rate suggested to cover Christchurch stadium operating costs

Mayors from across Canterbury are prepared to discuss a rates contribution towards the operating costs of Christchurch's in-development stadium.

Reay's resignation from IPENZ 'nothing' to do with disciplinary action, lawyer says

The engineer whose firm designed the CTV building that collapsed killing 115 people in 2011, is fighting an attempt to overturn the premature end of a professional disciplinary process against him.

Sequel to CTV building collapse over action against engineer

The bid for accountability for the collapse of the CTV building, that killed 115 people in 2011, continued in the High Court on Monday.

Among the ghost houses: Walking Christchurch's residential red zone

Unhappy neighbours trigger urgent council look at housing rules

Effects of higher-density housing on neighbourhoods will be urgently investigated by Christchurch City Council after unhappy residents' complaints that new developments are causing trouble.

Feedback largely against extending Christchurch's central city 30kmh zone

Feedback on a plan to expand central Christchurch's 30kmh zone has largely come back in opposition of the idea.

Last chance to comment on Christchurch red zone stirs water debate

It would take up to 30 years to deliver, cost more than $830 million, and aims to balance the needs of current and future generations.

Rowing lake in Christchurch red zone would strain 'fully allocated' aquifers

A new 1km regatta course at Kerrs Reach is proposed in the draft plan for Christchurch's red zone but a hoped-for 2.2km rowing lake has been rejected.

EQC inquiry head Dame Silvia Cartwright says inquiry not about reputations

The inquiry into the Earthquake Commission (EQC) will be about suggesting improvements rather than making criticisms, says its newly-announced head, Dame Silvia Cartwright.

Dame Silvia Cartwright to head EQC inquiry

Former Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright  will head the independent inquiry into the Earthquake Commission (EQC).

Mike Yardley: Christchurch must regulate the A‌i‌r‌b‌n‌b‌ rort

"Live like a local" is the great marketing mantra of the peer-to-peer accommodation sector.

Test case for on-sold homes with botched repairs still nine months away

An August 2019 court date to determine liability for botched quake repairs to on-sold homes will come too late for Mike Stewart and Julia McIntyre.

'Architectural snobbery' accused of holding back Lyttelton development

Six years after a city council design panel rejected their modern, port-inspired design, a Lyttelton couple have accepted "vanilla architecture" is the only way they can rebuild their home.

'Deceitful' Christchurch builder fined for unlicensed asbestos removal

A "deceitful" Christchurch builder has been fined for unsafe asbestos removal, the first sentencing under strict new rules around the dangerous material.

Christchurch's new convention centre nearly a quarter complete

Christchurch's new convention centre is nearing a quarter of the way to completion, one year on from the first concrete pour for its foundations.

Truckloads of Christchurch stadium waste destined for harbour

Thousands of truck loads of concrete from Lancaster Park's demolished stands are destined for Christchurch's port.

Work starts refitting heritage office building for hotel

Work has begun converting a mid-20th century office building into a new hotel with shops underneath and a rooftop cocktail bar.

Bringing life back into quake-damaged heritage buildings a tough task

Ambitious plan to use Christchurch red zone for autonomous vehicle tests

Driverless cars could be tested in Christchurch's red zone as part of a plan to turn Christchurch into a world-leading trial area for next generation vehicles.

Repaired house for sale after owner paid rebuild costs

A judge agreed Greg Young's pole house could not be fixed and his insurer must pay for a rebuild. Two years later, repairs have been done anyway.

Repaired house for sale after being ruled a 'rebuild'

A judge rejected proposed repairs, declaring Greg Young's pole house a rebuild. Two years later, repairs have been done and the architectural house is for sale.

Changes needed to fix Manchester St traffic jams after $20m upgrade

Changes will be made to traffic flows on Christchurch's $20 million new-look Manchester St after a new system caused congestion, delays and frustration.

Prime riverside block in central Christchurch remains barren

New childcare centre for top of The Crossing parking building

Central Christchurch's The Crossing development has signed a new tenant – a childcare centre that will operate from the top floor of the car parking building.

Christchurch's new central library, Tūranga, opens

in association with Danish firm  has designed Tūranga, a vibrant new community hub for central Christchurch, which officially opened on Friday 12 October 2018.

Christchurch's new central library opens

in association with Danish firm  has designed Tūranga, a vibrant new community hub for central Christchurch, which officially opened on Friday 12 October 2018.

A brickbat and a big bravo for the council

A casual Christchurch observer could be excused for thinking the city council is trapped in a vortex of dysfunction and crisis containment, lurching to extinguish one fire as another flares up – while the fire alarm control box is painted shut.

'I breathe a sigh of relief whenever I arrive back in Christchurch'

"I'd probably have a much better salary in Europe, and drive a flasher car. But I have a much better lifestyle here."

Spreading the good word of the new Christchurch

A shiny new library, fun playgrounds, spring blossoms, new cafes and cinemas, electric hire scooters.

ChristchurchNZ to take 'proactive' approach in chasing high impact events

Christchurch's economic development agency is taking a more "proactive" approach in chasing bigger events for the city, as new key venues edge closer to completion.