Residents on the Port Hills who want the zoning of their land reviewed will not know the fate of their properties until February next year.
Some properties in the hillside suburbs of Christchurch are at risk from falling rocks since the earthquakes and are deemed unliveable.
A review of the properties was due to be completed by Christmas.
Christchurch City Council has indicated it will explore options for funding rock protection work for affected homes on a case-by-case basis.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said the land zoning review process is designed to give people confidence that all considerations have already been looked at.
