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Live updates and information in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake.
Official missing people hotline: 0800 RED CROSS, 0800 733 276. Overseas: 64 7 850 2199
9:00pm Recap
- Confirmed death toll now 155 - could rise to 240
- Chief Coroner says another 12 names of the dead to be released
tomorrow
- Two minutes' silence at 12.51pm was observed right around the
country and across the Tasman
- 66% of Christchurch has water
- Full restoration of water some weeks away, but chlorination has
begun
- Two time capsules have been found and are being kept at the
Christchurch Museum
- 1718 employers with 8271 staff have applied for the government
employment subsidy
- Nineteen schools hoping to re-open in the next couple of days
8:57pm The Chief Coroner says 16 bodies have been identified so far, and their families informed. He says at least another 12 names of the dead are expected to be released by police tomorrow. He says identifying all the victims could be a lengthy process. The deaths are mostly the result of trauma but some have also died from inhaling smoke and dust.
8:54pm Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said today that since the announcement of the government's employment assistance package, 1718 employers with 8271 staff had applied for the subsidy. In addition to that, 1516 sole traders have also applied.
8:47pm The Rangiora Earthquake Express (REE) is winding down its operation. Since its establishment, the REE has delivered 45 tonnes of hot food and emergency supplies in 150 helicopter flights directly to the streets of the Eastern suburbs. More than 200 tonnes of food and essential items were delivered by countless road trains comprising volunteers in 4WD cars and vehicles towing trailers. There are still more than 11 trucks, and two shipping containers, facilitated by the REE, that are still in transit to the distribution centre for the eastern suburbs. Over the six days of its operation the REE was manned by around 1000 volunteers, who came from as far afield as Auckland.
8:39pm Environment Canterbury is starting limited Metro bus and ferry services in greater Christchurch from Thursday. They will operate free for two weeks.
8:24pm Minister for Courts, Georgina te Heuheu
says the courts are continuing to operate in Christchurch.
The Ministry of Justice temporary command centre is currently
operating from Christchurch Men's Prison. Since Tuesday's
earthquake, the Courts have processed 87 arrests and 53 in custody
matters. Court business continues as usual in Timaru, Ashburton and
Rangiora.
8:02pm Ethnic Affairs Minister Hekia Parata has
praised ethnic communities for their resilience and compassion
following the devastating Christchurch earthquake. Parata met with
ethnic communities and other groups affected by the earthquake
today.
7:46pm Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says a review of Wellington City Council's earthquake policies will be informed by the experience of Christchurch. A briefing on the City Council's earthquake policies is scheduled to be considered by Councillors later this month.
7:24pm Plunket is working with a number of
other organisations to provide as many services as possible, while
normal services remain suspended.
Plunket is operating walk in centres for any parents wanting to see
a Plunket Nurse, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm at Cowles Stadium
Tent Hospital, 170 Pages Road and Plunket Family Centre, 5 Twigger
Street, Addington.
7:13pm The Federated Farmers 'Farmy Army' is
swelling in numbers and is now in a position to seek out work that
needs to be attended to around Christchurch.
Federated Farmers wishes to hear from residential property owners,
local businesses and schools, which need help with: Clearing silt,
removal of carpets and lifting of furniture.
Call 027 266 7926 (7.00am to 7.00pm) or 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING)
between 8.30am and 5.00pm.
6:47pm Telecom has announced it will credit all residential landline customers in Christchurch and its neighbouring towns for any national and international calls made in the week following Tuesday's earthquake (until midnight Monday 28 February).
6:32pm Citigroup, Inc. has pledged $100,000 to
the New Zealand Red Cross and launched an employee fundraising
appeal to support earthquake disaster relief efforts.
A 28 hour radio-thon by Radio Apna 990, an Auckland based ethnic
Indian radio station has raised $122,000 for the Prime Minister's
Christchurch earthquake appeal.
Find out how you can donate
here .
6:19pm All schools and early childhood
education services in Christchurch city are closed until further
notice.
In the Selwyn and Waimakariri Districts, 42 schools and 52 early
childhood education services are now open. More plan to open
as the week goes on. Greenpark School and Tai Tapu School will
remain closed until further notice.
Parents should contact individual schools and early childhood
services to see if they are open or plan to open.
The
Ministry of
Education's website provides an up-to-date list of which
schools and facilities are open or planning to open.
6:01pm New Zealand Post delivered mail to 60% of the city today, mainly in the northern and western suburbs.
5:40pm Kiwi USAR teams have entered the Hotel
Grand Chancellor for the first time since last Tuesday's
earthquake. They have been able to reach the fifth floor but cannot
go any further due to structural issues. Rescuers have called for
dogs to assist in their operation.
5:36pm Cliff says police are having trouble with
an increase in traffic volumes around the CBD. One person was
arrested today for trying to breach the cordon.
5:33pm Supt Dave Cliff says the confirmed death
toll has risen by 1 to 155 this afternoon. He expects to be able to
release further names of the confirmed dead later today.
5.28pm The New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake
Appeal has to date raised more than $10.4 million, with substantial
pledges still to come.
5:19pm Justice Graham Panckhurst has announced that the preliminary hearing of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy has been deferred until April 5 because of the earthquake.
5:02pm BP has increased the price of petrol and diesel by 5 cents per litre today but the rise will not apply in Christchurch.
4:56pm The iconic Carlton Hotel is in the process of being demolished, the hotel was extensively damaged in the earthquake.
4:44pm The NZ Transport Agency is providing
free replacements for people whose driver licences have been lost
or destroyed as a result of the Canterbury earthquake.
The agency will also provide free extensions for those who are
unable to meet the requirements for renewing a licence.
Issue immediate three month exemptions for those who need to
operate outside of their normal licence conditions - in particular
for restricted licence holders who need to carry passengers or who
need to drive at night.
Waive fees for rescheduling or cancelling theory or practical tests
booked prior to 22 February 2011.
4:20pm Latest figures from Paymark show that the number of Christchurch retailers active on the Paymark network has grown from 770 on Wednesday 23 February to 1534 on Monday 28 February.
4:03pm The Main North Rd has been closed to
northbound traffic between Sawyers Arms Road and Vagues Road from
3pm.
This is because part of the carriageway has slumped.
People in cars travelling north on Main North Road are advised to
detour at Harewood Road in Papanui.
Work on the damage has begun and is expected to be completed later
tonight.
3:55pm Federated Farmers is reminding motorists
about the need for patience around Christchurch, especially on the
roads to and from Banks Peninsula.
Raymond Hart, who is currently managing a run of independent and
Fonterra tankers carrying water into Banks Peninsula, has called
Federated Farmers to express his concern at the lack of courtesy
being shown by other motorists.
3:33pm Civil Defence Minister John Carter has today extended the state of national emergency for a further seven days.
3:21pm The owners of the Canterbury Television
(CTV) building in Christchurch are welcoming a Government inquiry
into why the building collapsed in the 6.3 magnitude
earthquake.
A spokesman for the two South Island families that owned the
20-year old six-storey building said the families are "absolutely
devastated and distraught" over the catastrophic collapse of the
building in which a large number of people lost their lives.
3:05pm Prime Minister John Key and Leader of
the Opposition Phil Goff stood shoulder-to-shoulder with
international search and rescue staff, emergency services, defence
force personal, and staff and volunteers from the Emergency
Operations Centre based at the Art Gallery to observe two minutes
silence today.
The service began with a Karanga and Karakia, from Ngai Tahu
Kaumatua, Mark Solomon.
The brief and moving service was led by the Bishop, Victoria
Matthews and Peter Beck, the Dean of Christchurch Cathedral.
A small pile of bricks and concrete lay in front of the
dignitaries, representative of key sites within the CBD.
Amongst the rubble, a lone brick from the Cathedral and a single
New Zealand fern.
A stirring waiata ended the silence, reducing many of those present
to tears.
2.40pm The following Foodstuffs supermarkets
are now open.
New World: Ashburton, Bishopdale, Fendalton, Halswell, Lincoln,
Northwood, Rangiora, Rolleston, Stanmore Road
PAK'nSAVE: All PAK'nSAVE stores are now open
Four Square: Amberley, Ashburton, Burnham, Cheviot , Culverden,
Darfield , Hamner Springs, Hawarden, Methven, Rakaia, Southbridge,
Waikari
Henry's: Bishopdale , Ferrymead, Hornby, Rangiora, Rolleston,
Shirley, Tower Junction, Woolston
The following stores are not open.
South City New World, St Martins New World, Redcliffs New World,
Lyttleton Four Square.
2.25pm Amex is inviting its card members to
help the people of Christchurch by donating points, which will be
converted to cash donations for the Red Cross Appeal.
2:01pm
The public are urgently being asked to stay away
from all Christchurch beaches, as seawater is currently
contaminated with sewage.
1:57pm CPIT campuses are closed to staff and students until at least 14 March. The CPIT City Campus remains inside the current Civil Defence cordon.
12:54pm The two minutes' silence has been observed all over New Zealand. Crowds have gathered in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton and all over the country in a moving tribute to those who have died, are missing, or were injured in the February 22 quake.
12:40pm The latest aftershock to hit
Christchurch registered 4.3 on the Richter scale. It hit at 9.10am
and was very shallow ... a depth of just two kilometres. See
the aftershock list.
12:35pm Young people trying to cope in the
aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake are being urged to make
use of Youthline's national network of phone and text counsellors.
Youth help 0800 37 66 33 Free txt: 234
12:33pm The Red Cross has announced its disaster relief fund has reached $10.3 million. That's double what it was yesterday.
12:30pm Recap
- Confirmed death toll 154 - could rise to
240
- 66% of Christchurch has water
- Full restoration of water some weeks away, but chlorination has
begun
- Chemical toilets on the way
- two time capsules been found
- two minutes' silence at 12.51pm being observed around the
country
- more victims' names probably being released this afternoon
12.12pm: Christchurch City Council will begin
chlorination of the water supply throughout central Christchurch
from today, but the public is advised to continue to boil
water.
The decision to chlorinate has been made following infrastructure damage to sewer and water pipes during the earthquake. "Chlorine is a highly efficient disinfectant, and adding to public water supplies helps to kill disease-causing bacteria," the council said.
11.51am There will be two minutes'
silence in the Air NZ ChCh airport as well. Flags are
being lowered around the airport grounds.
11:50am: Free wireless internet is still
available in the Air NZ ChCh airport terminal.
11:48am: Air New Zealand is continuing with
additional flights today, but demand is dropping off, so its likely
they will return to the normal schedule tomorrow. Jetstar is
operating a normal schedule today.
11:40am The Christchurch CC said no penalties will
be charged on late payments for the instalment of rates that were
due on February 28. While direct debits have been processed as
usual, many people would have been unable to make manual payments
because Council has been closed since February 22. Rates were
due for Area 3, which includes the suburbs of Belfast, Parklands,
Harewood, Avonhead, Bishopdale, Ilam, Fendalton , Hornby, Templeton
and Halswell.
11.11am There are reports that the top of the Pyne Gould Corporation building in central Christchurch is about to fall. It's a controlled drop because there are concerns about the stability of the structure.
10:56am Two representatives from each of the USAR teams will take part in the two minutes' silence in Cathedral Square. The NZ USAR team will also be there.
10:55am Wood said the Cathedral's having a large steel shoring structure being built and that will be moved into place in the next 24-48 hours to stablilise a key wall there so crews "can more confidently enter into the spire".
10:53am Wood said he had a tour of the PGC building last night and the USAR workers won't be leaving there until the job is done. They believe they will find more victims there.
10:52am Fire Service spokesman Russell Wood says there are more than 600 USAR workers on site. Work is continuing to stabilise the Grand Chancellor building and there was 30 cubic metres of concrete pumped into the foundation of the building yesterday and more of the same today.
10:51am Cliff: "I just want to alert everyone and we have discussed this with the families, that there may be some cases where because of the enormous forces involved in this that it may not be possible to retrieve bodies in all cases. It's not going to be the generally case, but we need to alert people to that possibility."
10:50am The figure of "around 240" people dead is the most likely at the moment, Dave Cliff said. But "it's not locked in stone because we are still getting information in that's taking some people off the list and sometimes adding others on."
10:47am Supt Cliff said at the press conference he will give more names out this afternoon, probably at around 3pm but may be later.
10:46am More than 80 NZ and Aussie police officers are going door to door in the suburbs to reassure people.
10.45am Supt Cliff said all but 20 Sumner residents have now gone back into their homes.
10:44am He confirmed there was no earthquake related crime overnight.
10:42am Supt Dave Cliff says the number of bodies remains unchanged at 154, with 3 bodies recovered from the PGC building overnight.
10:35am In the same place was another sealed time capsule which may come from a later period and is fully sealed. "These may contain the vision of our forebears." Parker said the plinth and the statue will be repaired.
10:32am Bob Parker says he has received some
wonderful artefacts this morning. One is an amazing hand-written
time capsule that was buried beneath a statue of founding citzen
John Robert Godley at was in Cathedral Square. It was
sealed in a bottle and found underneath the plinth. They hope to
open the hand-written letter in time but for now it's been given to
the Canterbury Museum.
10.30am Media briefing
livestreaming now.
10:23am A 41-tonne transformer is being
installed at 10.30am to generate power for New Brighton and
Dallington.
10:07am All Whites captain
Ryan Nelsen is on his way home to help play a
part in the Christchurch earthquake relief.
9:46am There is a total fire ban, declared by the National Rural Fire Officer, across Canterbury for the next 48 hours taking effect from midday today. The forecast is for high winds and low humidity in many areas and the ban is vital because most of the Rural Fire Authorities are assisting with the Christchurch quake rescue and recovery role.
9:31am Lonsdale said it is unrealistic to move the CBD to Hagley Park. He said what is more likely is that the CBD becomes more spread out over the city. "We need to look to the future in a positive light. We need to make this a better city. We can become the Melbourne of New Zealand. Fifteen years ago Melbourne reinvented itself and we can do the same."
9:30am Paul Lonsdale, Central City Business Association, says businesses need their critical data. His group is working with CD and engineers to get business owners and managers in to their buildings to get the data, including servers. Dozens of cars are also trapped with material inside that's needed.
"The business package is very good ... but what happens after that six weeks? That's why we need to get in and get the information for businesses to resume. We understand it's going to be some time before we get into the CBD."
9.15am There will be a Civil Defence press conference with an update at 10.30am and this will be livestreamed on tvnz.co.nz
9:00am Doig said the problem with finding commercial premises for businesses is that many need a lot of space. "For example we have a couple of retailers that need space in excess of 4000 metres but they're really having to take what's on offer."
8:42am Doig said there is some merit in making Hagley Park the new CBD. He said it is "pretty far-fetched, but interesting all the same".
8:41am Hamish Doig from Colliers International, commercial property consultants, says they have had hundreds of calls from tenants in the CBD wanting to get out of the office blocks and into other areas.
8:35am Prime Minister John Key and his wife Bronagh will join Christchurch mayor Bob Parker at the Arts Centre to mark the two minutes' silence.
8:33am Stuart-Black said they are targeting a number of locations as well as the Cathedral. International teams are working at the Forsyth-Barr building where it is a very difficult operation. Teams have to enter by helicopter down the elevator shaft. Ten or 12 flights of stairs have disappeared from that building. He says they are working in other less high-profile buildings as well.
8:32am Stuart-Black told Breakfast the USAR they are looking to strengthen the front of wall of the Cathedral, partly to make it safer for rescuers, partly to try and save the building.
8:30am Jim Stuart-Black, special operations manager for the NZ Fire Service says the search and rescuers still have a high morale despite not finding anyone alive since Wednesday. He says everyone is tired but that is the nature of the work. He said each time there is an aftershock they have to pull people off the site and let it settle.
8.14am There have been three aftershocks since midnight last night.
8:00am People will gather together in many places for the 12.51pm two minutes' silence including: Victoria Park Auckland; Holy Trinity Cathedral Parnell; Aotea SquareAuckland; Vigil on the steps of Parliament Wellington at 12.30pm; Wellington's Civic Square; Auckland's Anglican Cathedral service 12.30pm; services will be held in Anglican Cathedrals in Napier and Taranaki; the Cenotaph in Taupo; the Rotorua Civic Centre; Christchurch Arts Centre.
7:55am Bunnings Riccarton is giving away buckets.
7:49am Police in Christchurch continue to warn against crooks trying to take advantage of the tragedy. They've been receiving reports since yesterday of people impersonating EQC officials, telephoning residents and advising them they are eligible for an emergency grant - as long as they deposit $200 into a bank account. People should hang up on them.
7:45am Sixty five properties in and around the Bowenvale Ave area of Cashmere were evacuated overnight because of concerns that large boulders on nearby hills could come down.
7:26am Phil Goff told Breakfast that in the
eastern suburbs, a low socio-economic area, food supplies have been
delivered and there is a real sense of community there. "We'll get
through this and work out how to make Christchurch a better
city."
He said the government package for business was a good and
necessary "first start". "That will tide us over for 4-6 weeks, but
the government will acknowledge more will be needed in weeks to
come."
He said a bi-partisan approach is needed to recovery. "There is no room for politicking here... it's about New Zealanders standing alongside the people of Canterbury and people of Christchurch. Everything else might have to take a back seat for now."
Goff said two weeks ago they were looking at preserving historic places, but the latest earthquake has changed things.
"Maybe we need to look at half a dozen and preserving those... safety comes first. Eight decades ago Napier had a huge earthquake and they rebuilt the city... that's what we have to do."
7:17am Gerry Brownlee told Breakfast the recovery of business will give the city the greatest opportunity to build itself.
"If staff can come back to work and help clean up, if people can do that safely, then that will help".
He says businesses are looking at other areas to set up work in
the suburbs. "If we can get roads cleared and demolish some of the
very damaged buildings we can look at a return to the CBD but it
will take time". He said the state of civil emergency means many
historic buildings will have to be torn down regardless and unlike
like Sept 4 the process won't be slowed.
"There is a lot of capacity to recover buildings from the historic
precinct but beyond that we need to make this place a safe place to
live."
7:15am There have been 22 cases of gastroenteritis reported, which isn't considered an outbreak but is a warning to people to be careful with hygiene.
7:10am This Friday March 4 is 2011 Earthquake Appeal day for Red Cross.
7:00am All road blocks put up yesterday in the Sumner area have been removed.
6:56am Harrison says he believes more names will be released today.
6.54am Inspector Mark Harrison, police family liaison, says the process of victim identification is a long one. "We have told the families that in some cases it will be a lengthy process... some of the bodies are significantly damaged... we have to get this right." He said in some cases DNA and dental records will be needed. Each of the families has a liaison officer assigned to them and part of the information gathering is finding out details about clothing, jewellery and other identifying features from the families. Harrison said they are meeting with the families every day.
6:45am Video is now available of inside the Christchurch Cathedral and a USAR expert reveals how they are protecting their workers as they go through the Cathedral brick by brick.
6:41am Bob Parker says he imagines "emotions will gush to the surface" when the two minutes' silence is held at 12.51pm. He said people should not come into the Christchuch CBD for the commemoration because it's too busy in there with workers. "It will be a hard moment at 12.51pm because we haven't had a moment yet... it will be the first time in a way that all of us will reflect in one moment."
6:20am Police are receiving increasing reports of people entering buildings which have been declared unsafe and bear a red sticker. "These buildings have a red sticker because they are dangerous and could collapse at any time," said Supt Russell Gibson. "Under the Civil Defence Act, Police people have the power to remove people by force if necessary but we would prefer common sense to prevail.
"We are also very aware of a growing frustration by people who
have cars within the CBD they want to retrieve, and businesses that
they want to check on. We understand these frustrations but the CBD
is still fraught with danger and any access has to be controlled.
At this stage our focus has to remain on the rescue
operation."
6:18am
A four-strong DVI team from Queensland has now
arrived in New Zealand to further bolster the numbers of people
working to help identify those who have died. There are now more
than 170 people involved in this phase of the operation.
6.09am The death toll in the Christchurch earthquake has now risen to 154 and is expected to increase further.
6.05am Bill English told AMP Business the government is determined not to let the quake throw the country off track economically. He said NZ had been looking from next June in reducing borrowing but now we may not be able to reduce that as much. He said a downgrade of our credit rating isn't "inevitable" but regardless of the agencies' view things haven't changed that much. He said NZ has "creditable economic management" and he hopes they recognise that. "We are trying to avoid a credit downgrade. We need a recovery based on savings and investment."
6.01am: Operations at the CTV building will only be carried out during daylight hours from today. Fire Service spokesman Russell Wood said the operation was too complicated to be done at night.
5.43am: A two minute silence will be held across New Zealand at 12.51pm to remember those who lost their lives in the Christchurch earthquake. Prime Minister John Key has called on people to mark the one week anniversary of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake striking Christchurch.
5.41am: Holden New Zealand joined the General Motors Foundation in announcing a $268,000 grant will be given to the New Zealand American Association to help provide disaster relief services to earthquake stricken areas.
5.39am: There have been no earthquake related arrests overnight in Christchurch, police say.
5.18am: Foreign Affairs is trying to get the message out that there is a difference between a national emergency, and a state of national emergency in Christchurch. The national definition means the government can move into Christchurch, take control and make quick decisions.
5.14am: All road blocks put up yesterday in the Sumner area have been removed. The road blocks were set up due to concerns over the stability of the rock face. Inspector Malcolm Johnston said there would be a "high profile" police presence in the area this morning.
5.12am: A 3.1 magnitude aftershock was recorded at 4.43am 10km west of Lyttelton at a depth of 2km. The previous aftershock was 10.55pm last night and was 3.1 magnitude 10km north-west of Lyttelton at a depth of 5km.
Updates from Monday morning and afternoon/evening here.
Are you in Christchurch? Send us your information and pics to news@tvnz.co.nz or call 0800 886397.
Quake appeals have been launched. Find out more here .
Leave your messages on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentroyalcourtier said on 2011-03-14 @ 21:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
The whole focus of this debate is wrong. There is no reason for any of these buildings to be demolished. It is not a case of which should be saved, but which should be demolished. There are few which cannot be saved. What people are missing is that if a building is demolished unnecessarily, and illegally, there won't be any insurance. Only the city can approve demolition - civil defence cannot do so.
Adam Chc said on 2011-03-09 @ 14:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
As a small business based near the epicentre in Christchurch we are strugeling to survive and simply can not afford a day off. I also do not think I or my staff are reasdy for a day of mourning yet. I am surprised the govenment would even consider this, it shows how out of touch they are to the impact this is having on business and staff.
annej said on 2011-03-08 @ 15:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
I must congratulate Bob Parker for his leadership and his caring nature to all people in Christchurch and his unfaultering continual contact with his people, a fine leader and the restoration of Christchurch should go through him and the council and not left to those who do not care about the uniqueness of Christchurch, sack Brownlee, send him back where he come from.
annej said on 2011-03-08 @ 15:04 NZDT: Report abusive post
At a time when the suffering is entering an unacceptable time frame of two weeks, John Key throws the baby out with the bath water and states that the government will buy the land off people who have suffered so much,this is akin to pulling the rug from underneath those who are stressed,do not know their fate and have lost loved ones, more thought and empathy is needed from central govt and to deal with the bulk of the people and not just the business sector.Thoughts and prayers to all.
Huatoki said on 2011-03-08 @ 13:37 NZDT: Report abusive post
As with every issue he's dealt with, Brownlee crashes in with an ill-advised and inflammatory attitude, then scuttles behind his officials and is unavailable for comment. Christchurch needs unifying, reassuring and competent leadership and Brownlee consistently fails on all three counts. We need resources, not divisiveness. If the minister cannot deliver them quickly and efficiently, he needs to go. We deserve better.