Christchurch council has come under fire for hiring an investigator to gather evidence about people living in at-risk houses in the Port Hills.

Advocacy services are emerging up to help quake-stricken Christchurch residents resolve disputes with EQC and insurance companies.

Companies specialising in the tricky task of re-levelling buildings are gearing up for a massive amount of work fixing up damaged land in Christchurch.

Insurers are expecting claims worth some $30 billion and counting from the Canterbury earthquakes...