Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says he has no desire to bulldoze Christchurch but people must be realistic about the demolition of heritage buildings.
Mr Brownlee had earlier signalled that all but a few of the city's heritage buildings would have to go.
The opposition then accused him of overstating the case and the city's mayor, Bob Parker, said the tension between retaining the city's old buildings and making progress needed to be carefully weighed.
Mr Brownlee said on Monday that many of the 1600 heritage buildings in the city have been severely damaged and are unlikely to be rebuilt.
"There is no desire to bring out the bulldozers and take Christchurch to the ground but there is a huge desire to see the city open up as much as possible and unsafe buildings removed as quickly as possible," he said.
Buildings damaged in the 4 September earthquake were still in a bad state of repair and some are becoming hazards, he said.
Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Building Trust board chairwoman Anna Crighton said the biggest enemy of heritage was panic and haste.
She said assessments with heritage experts can and must be done quickly.
[image:1408:half:right]Mayor against rushed demolition
Mr Parker says there's understandable pressure for the city to rebuild after the earthquake, but demolition of heritage buildings does not have to be carried out immediately. "I wouldn't agree that all those buildings have to go tomorrow."
Mr Parker said safety and the viaibility of the city centre are priorities, and more consideration will have to be given on what is retained.
He said the city is on the cusp of no longer being one if it does not go forward as quickly as it reasonably can, but must be safe for those who work in it and visit it.
Labour Party leader Phil Goff said the special power Parliament granted to Mr Brownlee and Prime Minister John Key comes with special responsibility, and while safety is paramount, decisions need to be made calmly and in consultation with other groups.
Business owners appeal for time
Some owners of central Christchurch businesses are pleading for time before buildings are demolished to allow them retrieve valuable items.
The owner of specialist motoring shop Fazazz says he has an internationally significant memorabilia collection that would be destroyed if Civil Defence orders rapid demolition of the premises.
Gavin Bain says he has become even more worried about his collection being destroyed since he heard of Mr Brownlee's intentions, and he doesn't understand the rush.
Deric Blackler, owner of Portobello Antiques, says his damaged building inside the red zone contains Maori carvings and other historic items, which he believes can be retrieved safely. He says other buildings near his have been knocked down under Civil Defence orders, and fears his could be next.
National civil defence co-ordinator John Hamilton said efforts will have been made to contact owners of buildings that have to be demolished. It is possible to have a building pulled down without the owner knowing, but only if there is a danger to life or limb
Decisions on city needed
Christchurch's architectural ambassador says authorities have to decide if they want to change the size of the central business district before they can determine exactly what historic buildings are to be saved.
As of Friday, half of the Category One and Category Two-listed buildings had been given red stickers, meaning they are considered unsafe to enter, and detailed engineering evaluation is required before they can be used.
Wellington architect Ian Athfield, who was appointed as the ambassador after September's earthquake, says it is likely many of the old buildings will have to be knocked down, but figuring out what kind of city is wanted needs to be the first step.
Auckland contractor Alec Burrell, who has been in Christchurch, says hundreds of buildings are in varying stages of damage, including some with walls leaning over the street which need to be knocked down.
Mr Burrell says few full demolitions have yet been done in the central city, and it could take five years until all are completed.
Though he says no one should expect the situation to be safe or organised less than two weeks after the quake, he hopes the Government will soon "put some money into it, and they'll then prioritise what work needs doing immediately".
Canterbury demolition firm Frews Contracting was last week given the job of co-ordinating any demolition jobs.
