British Foreign Secretary William Hague is visiting parts of central Christchurch that were destroyed by the February 2011 earthquakes.
Mr Hague is in New Zealand for formal bilateral talks with Government and Opposition leaders.
He is also attending a wreath laying ceremony on Wednesday and will then take a tour of the red zone, an area closed to the public because of ongoing building demolition.
Later, Mayor Bob Parker will help Mr Hague launch the Great British Car Rally, which is organised by the British High Commission to raise funds for several charities.
