Christchurch stories
Property values have already slipped nationwide, with tourism-dependent centres like Queenstown hardest hit as the recession starts to bite.
The proposed law change is part of the New Zealand government response to the Christchurch terror attacks that occurred in March last year.
Better freight services and more reliable trains are set to follow, as the funding also covers new ferries and ageing locomotives.
Queenstown looks most exposed, with tourism reliance and Airbnb saturation making its property market vulnerable to a COVID-19 downturn.
Easing loan-to-value rules is only part of the fix, with commercial landlords warning wider support is needed to prevent a deeper downturn.
Transaction volumes are expected to fall sharply after lockdown, with weaker demand and limited listings likely to push prices lower.
Border curbs are set to reduce the risk of imported infections, but officials warn New Zealand must still bolster testing, tracing and isolation.
Construction workers can now renew safety cards with updated training on heights, machinery blind spots and dust risks under Site Safe's refresh.
A new report has reinforced pressure on ministers to back council infrastructure spending, after all eight cities were classed as severely unaffordable.
Higher borrowing demand and scant listings pushed New Zealand’s national median house price to a record NZD $630,000 in November.
Civil contractors say the Government must back already designed transport works quickly to protect jobs as big projects finish.
More than 400 guests applauded as mental health and wellbeing took centre stage, with three winners sharing one award for the first time.
Top-end flats are showing some weakness, even as most apartment prices move broadly in line with the wider property market.
New Zealand's Christchurch Call gains traction as 31 new countries and two organisations join the global initiative to combat online terrorism.
Christchurch inspired social entrepreneurs with the Social Enterprise Challenge and UCE Impact Summit, focusing on climate change and sustainability.
New tourism startups are making a name for themselves in New Zealand and abroad, fresh from a start with Lightning Lab Tourism.
After earthquakes, managers could know within minutes whether buildings are safe, cutting weeks of waiting for engineering reports.
Safer training is helping staff absorb lessons better as Aurecon uses virtual reality to let workers practise risky scenarios without real-world harm.
The subsidy is being delivered as part of a wider business support package during phase one of a Christchurch Economic Recovery Package.
Christchurch fibre broadband provider Enable will continue to deliver essential services during the lockdown period, supporting the local community.
