Christchurch residents have been promised all critically damaged houses will be inspected within three weeks.
The pledge was made at a public meeting in the suburb of Shirley on Thursday night.
About 250 people attended and were told by the Earthquake Commission 55,000 claims had been received, of which 4000 were for houses that were uninhabitable.
EQC claims assessor Reid Stiven told those gathered 1000 such houses had been inspected so far and a further 3000 would be inspected within the next three weeks.
The meeting also heard from Insurance Council chief executive Chris Ryan that the industry definitely has enough money in re-insurance protection to cover the crisis.
However, rebuilding would be slow and Mr Ryan urged patience.
