Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford is writing to the Earthquake Recovery Minister asking for some red-zoned landowners to be given more time to consider their land compensation offers.
Mr Rutherford's letter relates to the Government's offer to buy nearly 140 vacant, uninsured or commercial sections in the red zone at half their rateable value.
The offer expires at the end of the month.
The commissioner says some residents are still waiting for assessments and don't have enough information to make an informed decision.
A spokesperson for those with uninsured land, Andrea Newman, says a 50% payout will bankrupt some people, which is why a judicial review of the offer is being pursued in the High Court.
The minister is expected to respond to the letter in the next few days.
