Life in quake-hit Christchurch slowly returns to normal
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More of central Christchurch, New Zealand South Island's largest city, has reopened as life slowly returns to normal following the 7.1 magnitude earthuquake on Sept. 4.
Some inner city streets remained partially closed. An inner- city 30 kmh speed limit was imposed by police.
A quarter of buildings in Christchurch's central city are either damaged or totally inaccessible due to quake damage.
A Christchurch City Council spokeswoman has said that 5.7 percent of the 958 buildings assessed in the city had been red- stickered.
A red sticker is not a demolition order but means people should not enter or occupy the building because it has been determined unsafe.
A further 20 percent have been issued a yellow, limited-access sticker and further structural assessment is needed.
Of the 2,290 homes checked, just over one in eight have either a red or yellow sticker.
Police in the central City reported a fairly normal Friday night with about 31 arrests and about 100 people processed City- wide for mostly disorder, breach of liquor ban and disorder offenses.
Prime Minister John Key returned on his third trip to the quake- hit region on Saturday, promising that housing solutions were on the way for the thousands whose homes will either be condemned or need major repairs.
Around 230 people were still in two welfare centers in Christchurch on Saturday, but it is believed a large number of others forced from their homes are living temporarily with family or friends.
Prime Minister John Key has confirmed special emergency legislation will be passed setting up a new commission to help Canterbury rebuild.
The legislation would create something like a commission covering the three worst-hit districts. The commission would "make decisions that allow the city to be rebuilt as quickly as possible and with the least inconvenience to the residents of Canterbury."
The state of emergency is set to stay in place until next Wednesday but could be pushed back further still if the legislation stalled.
