A joint inquest into the deaths of nine earthquake victims whose remains are still to be identified, will be held this month.
The death toll from the disaster in Christchurch on 22 February stands at 181.
The Chief Coroner says the inquest will be held from 16 - 18 May at Riccarton Park racecourse.
Judge Neil MacLean says the disaster victim identification team has managed to identify most of the victims, but it's now time to find a way forward for the families facing the worst possible scenario of no trace of their loved ones.
He says it will be some time before a decision is made on what will happen to the remains.
Six women and three men are among the victims still not identified, aged from 23 to 53.
Two are from Christchurch and the rest are from China, the Philippines, Peru and Russia.
Of the total death toll, 116 people died in the Canterbury TV building and 18 at the Pyne Gould Corporation site.
