PHOTO
Christchurch was hit by two more strong aftershocks of 4.6 and 4.5 magnitude at 7.10am today -- one at a depth of 15km 20km west of Christchurch and the other at a depth of 6km 20km southeast of Darfield.
Scores of aftershocks have been hitting the region since the 7.1 magnitude earthquake at 4.35am last Saturday, causing more damage to already fragile buildings.
- Have you come south to escape the quake zone? Email us Or phone the Chief Reporter on 479 3574
Cordon around central city removed
The cordon around quake-damaged central Christchurch has been removed.
The area bounded by Worcester, St Asaph, Madras and Colombo streets had been closed since last weekend to ensure public safety after last Saturday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
Civil Defence Controller Peter Mitchell said members of the public should continue to exercise caution when entering the city centre.
Worcester, Manchester, Hereford, High, Cashel and Tuam streets remained partially closed.
$11m in appeal fund
The earthquake recovery fund now totals about $11 million - all of which will go to earthquake victims.
It includes $3.5m pledged to the Red Cross and the $5 million Government contribution to the mayoral fund - now combined in one fund.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said Fletcher Building had also given Christchurch City Council a $1m grant to go towards the protection and rebuilding of heritage buildings.
Patrols stepped up
Ten teams of police and army will patrol earthquake-stricken areas in Christchurch 24 hours a day to ward off burglars.
The extra patrols would give an "intense police presence" and will be on top of normal policing, Canterbury Superintendent Commander Dave Cliff said.
The teams consisting of two police and two army staff would deter burglars from taking advantage of empty houses and give reassurance to homeowners.
Police had stopped known burglars who wore hi-visibility vests to get into quake-affected areas so the extra patrols, many with dogs, would send a message to would-be thieves.
And a group who sought shelter at a welfare centre for earthquake victims had now been turned away after it was revealed there was no damage to their home.
State Highway 74 reopens
The last remaining Canterbury highway closed by last Saturday's earthquake has been partially re-opened.
State Highway 74, a key route into the Port of Lyttelton, had been closed for six days while road foundations damaged by the quake have been repaired.
New Zealand Transport Authority Canterbury State Highways Operations Manager Peter Connors said SH74 in Christchurch city was now open from Travis/Frost/Anzac Drive to the intersection of Dyers Road/Bridge Street.
SH74 remains closed from the intersection of Dyers Road/Bridge Street to Metro Place remained closed and a detour was in place.
The SH74 Heathcote underpass also remains closed due to potential rockfall hazards above the road.
Other state highways in the region affected by earthquake damage include:
- Chaneys on-ramp on SH1. Repairs are progressing well and it is anticipated that the on-ramp will be opened to traffic on Saturday night on an unsealed surface; and
- State Highway 77 in mid-Canterbury is open with a 2km signposted detour from Glentunnel to Glenroy, where there is substantial subsidence in the road. The slip is still moving and this detour will remain in place for some time with permanent repairs to commence early next week.
Region is open for 'business'
Canterbury is "open for business" despite Saturday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks, the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce says.
Chief executive Peter Townsend said many Christchurch businesses were already trading onsite or remotely.
The Chamber of Commerce and the Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) had jointly set up an Economic Recovery Group to help with Canterbury's recovery, he said.
"Our business community is telling us that they are still trading and most are able to pay staff. It's anticipated most businesses currently compromised will be up and running within a week," said Mr Townsend.
Survey spokesman Simon Worthington, of the CDC, said it had received 140 responses since it went online this morning.
Ninety-five percent of the businesses who responded were trading and 93 percent were able to pay staff. Four percent planned to pay staff using the Government's earthquake subsidy, he said.
"Of those businesses not yet fully operational, 40 percent hope to be back trading within a week, with a further 26 percent hoping to be operational within a month."
Flood of offers to help repair damage
Waimakariri District Civil Defence has been flooded with offers from both individuals and companies wanting to help with the clean-up in the wake of Saturday's big shake.
The district was hit hard by the 7.1 magnitude quake, with nearly 400 Kaiapoi, Pines Beach and Kairaki homes being categorised as unsafe.
The council have received more than 500 offers of help and council staff and contractors have been joined by hundreds of helpers assisting clearing silt and debris, and manning welfare centres.
More than 120 companies from across the country, and even one from the Britain, have also offered their support lending equipment including diggers, generators and even helicopters.
The district also received over 130 offers of accommodation and 330 offers from people offering to check on people living alone.
Large amounts of food have also been donated, including a truckload sent following an Ashburton radio station appeal.
Anyone wishing to help in the clean up and recovery is asked to leave their details at the Waimakariri District Council offices in Rangiora.
High interest in wage subsidy
The Government is reporting "huge interest" in its wage subsidy scheme for businesses affected by the earthquake and says $120,000 has been committed so far.
The scheme pays a $350 a week wage subsidy to employers so they can continue to pay their workers while businesses get back on their feet.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today said 469 employers had called about the subsidy.
Food bank for pets
Volunteers are setting up a foodbank for pets who are now in shelters following Saturday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Canterbury.
The Paw Justice pet foodbank was scheduled to open on September 26 but organisers decided to open it earlier after the earthquake placed increased demand on shelters for homeless pets, spokeswoman Lisa Powlesland said.
Heinz-Wattie has gifted the group several pallets of pet food which is to be redistributed to desperate animal shelters in Christchurch over the coming weeks, Ms Powlesland said.
The public will get the chance to make donations to the food bank at upcoming events to be held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
$3.5m collected by quake appeal
Donations to the Red Cross' Canterbury Earthquake Appeal have reached $3.5 million, Red Cross spokesman Paul Scoringe says.
Also announced today was a commission, to be chaired by former High Court judge Sir John Hansen, to oversee the distribution of appeal funds.
Four commissioners have been appointed: Waimakariri district councillor Neil Cruickshank, former Selwyn mayor Michael McEvedy, deputy Christchurch mayor Norm Withers and former chief executive of New Zealand Red Cross, Jerry Talbot.
The three mayors of Canterbury and New Zealand Red Cross chief executive John Ware had pledged 100 percent of donations will go towards quake aid, Mr Scoringe said.
The commission held its first meeting, at the Red Cross' service centre in Christchurch, this afternoon.
Christchurch firefighters to get a break
Fire crews from around the country are being deployed in Christchurch to relieve tired staff and increase resources at the front line, Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy says.
Mr Guy, the minister responsible for the Fire Service, visited crews in the city today.
"I've heard some amazing stories of firefighters who have seen their own homes destroyed but rushed off to help others in need."
Mr Guy said the Fire Service was initially involved in helping with medical incidents and freeing people trapped in buildings or vehicles.
Kaiapoi may close roads to macabre tourists
Waimakariri District Mayor Ron Keating says Kaiapoi may close off its roads this weekend, to stop "macabre" tourists descending on the ruined community.
People were exhausted and could not cope with tourists driving around taking photos of their condemned homes, he said.
Nearly 400 Kaiapoi, Pines Beach and Kairaki homes are categorised unsafe. The town is also losing one of its two supermarkets, its iconic department store Blackwells, the museum and its 104-year-old Post Office, as demolition begins today.
"The rubber-neckers are just driving everyone crazy. . . .It's macabre, and they were bumper to bumper and unfortunately we weren't ready for it," Mr Keating said.
This weekend, the police and army may have to control all four entries into the town, "just to let people get on with their lives". Full story
Jury trials delayed
Jury trials scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week have been postponed as Christchurch struggles to recover from Saturday's earthquake.
The trials were all postponed this week because of the likely unavailability of people who had been summoned to serve as jurors.
The decision to push the date for resumption of the trials back to Wednesday was announced at the Christchurch District Court today after a meeting between Judge Michael Crosbie and the city's Crown Solicitor Brent Stanaway.
The Ministry of Justice said those summoned to appear next week should expect to attend court on Wednesday but they should check the message on the Christchurch jury service phone number - (03) 962 4399 - after 5pm on Tuesday for confirmation.
The ministry said no records, files or other documents were lost or destroyed in any of its facilities in Christchurch during the earthquake and its hundreds of after-shocks.
Call for responsible drinking
Civil Defence controller Darryl Griffin is calling on the public to show constraint tonight and tomorrow night in the central city.
He says few bars in the central city will be open and despite cordons being lifted several roads and intersections will remain closed due to the risk of building collapse.
The Hospitality Association of New Zealand has been asked to contact its Christchurch members to ensure they are fully aware of the implications of opening during a State of Emergency.
Mr Griffin says bar staff will need to know what to do during an aftershock and how to safely evacuate the premises. He says those bars sited next to damaged buildings should give careful consideration to the damage music vibrations may cause.
Extra police will be patrolling the central city over the weekend, and police have assured Civil Defence staff that drunkenness will not be tolerated on the streets or in the city's bars.
Two libraries reopen
The Central City and Akaroa libraries have opened today, with normal hours today and over the weekend. All other libraries are closed until further assessments have been completed.
All Council recreation and sport centres and swimming pools remain closed until further notice.
Schools still out for many children
Canterbury children at schools hardest-hit by the earthquake will not return to their classroom yet and may instead be moved to neighbouring schools.
While most schools will reopen on Monday, the fate of others remains uncertain.
Education Minister Anne Tolley, who is visiting Christchurch schools today, said the damage was "heartbreaking".
"The priority is to get as many schools open as safely and quickly as we can. There are a number of schools now that we can't get open on Monday, there's no way that they can."
Alternative arrangements, including relocation, would be considered in the meantime and classes of children and siblings would be kept together as much as possible. Full story
Bulding strength rules tightened
Christchurch City Council has pushed through new rules requiring earthquake-prone buildings to be strengthened to a higher standard.
Under its new policy, brought in at a special meeting this morning, the city's historic and earthquake-prone buildings will have to be strengthened to 67 percent of building code levels, just over double the prior standard.
The new policy comes in the wake of Saturday's devastating 7.1 magnitude quake and a series of aftershocks, some of which have caused further damage to buildings.
Mayor Bob Parker said the new standard was needed urgently, because clarity was needed before people start rebuilding when the state of emergency is lifted next week.
The code means that the older buildings will have to have around half the strength of a new building, rather than about 10 percent before the earthquake struck.
Plea for patience as family violence rises
Police are urging families to be more patient with each other following a rise in domestic violence.
Superintendent Dave Cliff said about 15 cases a day were being reported, which was more than usual.
"It is a very traumatic time for so many people; having to deal with the stresses of building inspections, money worries and uncertainty around jobs and homes.
"Please be patient, talk to one another, care for one another. Recovery from this earthquake will take time but we have already witnessed truly spirited resilience and maintaining that is what will see us all through," said Supt Cliff.
Aftershocks likely to continue for weeks
Aftershocks rattling Canterbury and unnerving its inhabitants are likely to last for "weeks" rather than days but will get less frequent and probably weaker, says a Wellington seismologist.
Dr Warwick Smith, of GNS Science, said the number of aftershocks - an estimated 395 by midday today, including 10 above magnitude 5 - was expected after a magnitude 7.1 quake, and would not be stopping anytime soon.
"We're looking at weeks, I'm afraid."
He said there was still a possibility of an aftershock larger than those of up to 5.5 experienced so far "but the chances of this happening are decreasing by the day." Full story
Motorists urged to take care
Police are urging the community of Canterbury to be patient and stay safe as tiredness and emotional fatigue takes its toll.
With the weekend looming many families may be considering a break away from the District but Police are urging motorists to think very carefully before getting behind the wheel.
"We were incredibly lucky that Saturday's earthquake didn't result in any fatalities," said Superintendent Dave Cliff. "It would be an even greater tragedy if someone survived the quake only to loose their lives in the road through the resulting fatigue."
Drivers should make sure they are properly rested before taking to the roads. If a trip is essential share the driving and take plenty of breaks.
Questions raised over some suburbs
Bill English, the minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission, says questions have been raised over whether some areas that suffered massive damage in the weekend quake should have been built on to begin with.
Mr English, along with Agriculture Minister David Carter, this morning visited the Christchurch suburb of Bexley, where one street, Seabreeze Close, has been evacuated entirely.
"People in this area have put there heart and soul into these newly built homes. Some of those losses we just can't compensate for, but they need a lot of reassurance that the EQC is here to help to repair the loss."
Bexley sits in a wetlands area of Christchurch, and Mr English said he had already heard concern over whether the site was a safe place to build. Full story
Delays at Lyttelton Tunnel
Motorists using the Lyttelton Tunnel are being warned to expect delays as the tunnel is closed periodically to allow fuel and gas trucks to travel safely to and from the port.
Delays of up to 10 minutes could be expected during the closures, the New Zealand Transport Agency said today.
NZTA Canterbury state highways operations manager Peter Connors said vehicles carrying dangerous goods were normally prohibited from using the tunnel, but earthquake damage had forced the closure of the Evans Pass Road, the normal access route for fuel and gas trucks to and from the port.
Fuel and gas trucks would be allowed through the tunnel under the supervision of Tunnel Control -- one truck at a time with no other vehicles in the tunnel. The movements would take about 10 minutes to complete.
In order to minimise disruptions for motorists no closures would take place between 7am-9am, noon-1pm or 4pm-6pm.
Cordons remain in place
Cordons in the Christchurch central business district will remain in place for the time being in the interest of public safety.
"It's our intention to relax the cordon as soon as possible," said Civil Defence controller Michael Mendonca today.
"However we have chosen to take a cautious approach at this stage to ensure public safety."
The situation was being reviewed continually and the cordon remains bounded by Worcester, St Asaph, Madras and Colombo streets.
Schools start to reopen
Four schools - Southbridge, schools in Oxford, Cust and Akaroa- reopened yesterday, Stuff website reported
Schools set to open today are Mairehau School and Belfast School.
Rubberneckers told to stay away
Rubberneckers are being told to stay away from quake-stricken Kaiapoi and Pines Beach, as stressed residents complain of feeling like a "freak show".
"Residents are getting really irritated with the number of people coming to inspect the damage in the centre of Kaiapoi town and in residential areas," said Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer.
"Some have told us they are tired of being treated like a freak show, and we are urging rubberneckers to simply stay away."
Kaiapoi and neighbouring communities Pines Beach and Kairaki were hard-hit in last week's quake, with nearly 400 houses categorised as unsafe and its New World supermarket closing. Residents learned yesterday they faced months and even years of work before water and sewerage systems could be fully restored.
Fear remains for residents
Bronwyn Marriott, who runs the Healthy Kiwi Dinners company in Christchurch, said people were still petrified but some were now so exhausted they were sleeping through that intense fear.
"People are sleeping with one eye open, their nerves are shattered.
"There are lot of very terrified people.
"People are petrified and frightened to be on their own."
She said a company near her Woolston office had a sleepover last night, mainly for people who were on their own and needed company.
"It has been like a frigging big train coming into the building.'
Emergency services say thanks
A big thank you was sent out to the Canterbury public from by police and army personnel based at the Christchurch City Centre cordons.
Since Saturday's earthquake they have been overwhelmed with the generosity, support and tolerance from the community.
Senior Sergeant John Robinson said he believed this tolerance, goodwill and support would get Canterbury through. "From the hot coffee to home made scones, from the friendly chats to pats on the back, the many police and army staff who have been working long shifts greatly appreciate the support of the Canterbury public," he said.
Speight's ramps up production
Dunedin's Speight's Brewery has nearly doubled production because of the Canterbury quake.
Speight's Dunedin manager John Craig said production had increased from 1600 kegs a week to 3000.
The brewery's 11 employees had been working extra hours since Monday and would operate the brewery six days a week, rather than four.
Millions of dollars of stock was destroyed at Lion Nathan's Canterbury Brewery in St Asaph St.
The brewery is also out of action until Monday, at the earliest.