06/09/2010 Minister for earthquake recovery named Gerry Brownlee is now responsible for earthquake recovery and in outlining the huge job ahead has given praise to the NZ Army
The minister now in charge of the earthquake recovery says the army will be in Christchurch for some time.
Gerry Brownlee has just been appointed to the job and has given an outline of the big job ahead.
Mr Brownlee says the army has been instrumental in helping those involved in the clean up and are on stand by for anything needed.
The Government is giving an initial pledge of five million dollars to the recovery process and may give more.
06/09/2010 Aftershock pushes buildings over edge The recent 4.5 aftershock has caused a number of damaged buildings, including the Radio Network/Newstalk ZB building to be evacuated
This afternoon's 4.5 aftershock has pushed a number of damaged buildings over the edge.
The 12 story Radio Network/Newstalk ZB building in Worcester Street is one that officials have ordered be evacuated after the tremor at 12.35.
It had sustained some damage during Saturday's quake, and the aftershock has made some of the cracks worse.
Radio Network stations will continue to broadcast from back up facilities and our news team continues to work to provide essential information on the disaster.
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06/09/2010 The situation in Christchurch A run down of how things are looking in the city after the earthquake
The situation as it stands in Christchurch at the moment.
The state of emergency has been extended until midday Wednesday.
The Central Business District is still cordoned off but the extent of the cordon has been reduced overnight.
People are still being asked to stay away while assessments are done.
More than 500 buildings in the city are badly damaged, 90 significantly which may need to be demolished.
It's estimated just under 4,000 homes are without power - 98 percent of homes have had power restored.
Orion is warning that some homes may be without power for up to five days, so residents should make sensible arrangements to stay warm, but safe.
Around 60 streets are still without water.
To date, almost a third of all jobs recorded relating to water and wastewater have been resolved and teams are working around the clock to restore water supply to the city.
Sewage and wastewater facilities are still stretched.
Teams will be working today with cameras to inspect pipes to identify the highest priority repairs.
Residents are still being advised to boil all water, regardless of its appearance.
Cases of gastroenteritis are already presenting at doctors rooms around the city.
All schools in the Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn districts are closed until at least Wednesday.
Parents are being told to keep an eye on school web sites and school answerphones that will have detailed information.
Meanwhile, a strong southerly flow is expected over the South Island later today which will mean cold winds and cooler temperatures for the Canterbury area. Skies are predicted to remain cloudy until at least Wednesday.
Busses are not running and public transport will remain inoperable until the cordon around the Central Business District is lifted.
Rubbish is being collected throughout the city suburbs.
However, within the CBD businesses are being asked to leave bags on the street outside the cordon - it will be collected but mortar and plaster should not be added to the rubbish mix.
And the mail will get through - only three post shops are closed today; Kaiapoi, Cathedral Square and the CBD.
All rail services in the Christchurch area are expected to be restored by tomorrow.
06/09/2010 People still without power Around 4,000 people are still without power in Canterbury
Around 4,000 people are still without power in Canterbury.
Lines company Orion says last night 3,000 people were in the dark.
But that rose to 6,000 overnight due to trees hitting lines because of high winds.
There were also new cable faults for 500 customers.
Chief Roger Sutton says some cables originally damaged by the earthquake have now faulted due to water entering the cable.
He says specialised technicians are working to find cable faults to evacuate and repair the cables.
Mr Sutton says he expects more faults in the coming days and weeks due to the fragile nature of parts of the network.
Police are advising anyone wanting to get access into the centre of the city will have to go to one of two checkpoints.
They are the corner of St Asaph and Colombo streets, or the corner of Colombo and Armagh streets.
No other checkpoints will be allowing access, and they're asking the public not to put extra pressure on staff guarding other areas around the cordon.
You can send us pictures here: online@newstalkzb.co.nz
06/09/2010 Kiwi makes history at Burghley Caroline Powell and her 17-year-old mount Lenamore have won the prestigious Burghley Horse Trials
Caroline Powell and her 17-year-old mount Lenamore have won Burghley Horse Trials
Powell is the first New Zealand female to win the three day competition - and the first New Zealander since Blyth Tait in 2001 - while Lenamore is the oldest horse to win the Land Rover Perpetual Challenge trophy.
The pair were leading after the cross-country and after a clear showjumping round finished on their dressage score.
"Goodness that was good" Powell said
"I am so thrilled with the way he jumped - he has been a wee star all week".
The horse is owned by Lexi Mackinnon and Powell said the win was a nice wedding present for her.
Mark Todd on Major Milestone finished on their dressage score to come 11th, Andrew Nicholson and Armada added four showjumping faults to their dressage score to finish 14th and Annabel Wigley and Black Drum finished 18th.
On his second mount, Avebury, Andrew Nicholson finished 22nd and Dan Jocelyn and Special Advocate finished 24th.
