After missing its first year target for repairing earthquake damaged homes in Christchurch, Housing New Zealand is now starting to pick up the pace.
At the start of last year the agency set itself the aim of fixing 5000 dwellings in three years, with 2000 completed last year.
It did not meet the first year target, but Housing New Zealand's manager in charge of earthquake recovery Paul Commons remained confident the longer term target would be met.
Mr Commons said that getting things right in the early stages had ensured smooth sailing for the rest of the programme.
"So it takes a long time to get the first 20 percent of houses underway, but after that they tend to run along quite well."
He said the repairs had also been a good opportunity to make homes warmer, with new curtains and heat pumps.
