Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says much progress has been made towards rebuilding the city in the 1000 days since the earthquake on 4 September 2010.
In particular, he says major inroads are being made into the purchase of central city land for new projects at a cost so far of $231.6 million.
The properties being purchased by the Crown to allow for the construction of anchor projects include the Convention Centre Precinct, the East Frame and the Bus Interchange.
Mr Brownlee says agreements are in place for 43.4% of the total designated land area.
A spokesperson for the Canterbury Communities' Earthquake Recovery Network says the figures are little comfort for thousands of Cantabrians still battling to get their livelihoods restored.
Brian Parker says the slowness of the Earthquake Commission and insurers to repair or rebuild people's homes is the main problem in Canterbury at the moment.
