Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Labour leader visits quake-hit residents

Updated at 5:36 pm on 17 January 2012

Angry owners of earthquake-damaged properties have put their concerns to the Labour Party's new leader.

David Shearer was in Christchurch on Tuesday on his first regional visit since he became leader on 14 December last year.

Mr Shearer attended a meeting in Wattle Drive in the suburb of New Brighton where 17 properties in the green zone are surrounded by red-zoned homes.

Residents are calling for answers on how the zoning decisions have been made, and why some properties have been deemed unfit for rebuilding while other seriously damaged homes are in the green zone.

Graham Wardrop says the value of his green-zoned property has dropped and fears he will not he compensated for that.

He challenged David Shearer to raise the issue in Parliament.

Mr Shearer said he would go in to bat for the residents, holding the Government to account on earthquake issues.

However, Mr Shearer warned that Christchurch can't become a political issue, saying the earthquake recovery will take years and, long-term, a bipartisan approach is called for.

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