Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority says a requirement to have archaeologists oversee excavations in the red zone in central Christchurch, is not slowing the demolitions there.
Under the Historic Places Act, an archaeologist has to oversee excavations of foundations on sites known to have been occupied before 1900.
CERA demolitions manager Warwick Issacs says the requirement means archaeologists need to be involved in digging on any site within the central city.
Mr Issacs says two archaeologists are overseeing the central city at the moment, but their numbers will have to increase as demolitions ramp up.
He says archaeologists don't have to be on site throughout the entire excavation, as systems will be set up to ensure any notable items are preserved.
