Rebuilding earthquake-devastated Christchurch must not repeat the mistakes of Auckland and Wellington, says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.
In a "State of Recovery" speech in Christchurch on Friday, Mr Brownlee said there had been "significant" progress in the rebuild and authorities hope to have the central city fully open by the middle of next year.
The 6.3-magnitude earthquake in February last year killed 185 people and caused widespread damage. The rebuild is predicted to cost $30 billion.
Mr Brownlee said re-zoning of almost 190,000 properties had restored confidence Christchurch could be rebuilt and strict new building standards would ensure a similar quake would not cause such widespread devastation.
Insurance companies were looking to expand their coverage in Canterbury and a major Australian insurer had said that premiums should begin stabilising following major disasters, Mr Brownlee said.
He said the voluntary crown offer to buy quake-damaged properties had been a "tremendous success".
However, the challenge was not to repeat the mistakes of the past, he said.
"To be blunt about it, New Zealand has something of a record of doing things a bit half-arsed."
He cited the Auckland Harbour Bridge, which he said was too small as soon as it was opened in 1959, and Wellington's three-lane Terrace Tunnel and even Parliament Buildings, which were completed in the 1970s with the addition of the Beehive.
"I am determined that this is not how we are going to recreate Christchurch."
Mr Brownlee said there was widespread support for the central city rebuild plans.
"If we can't make something extraordinary about the newly recreated Christchurch off the back of such opportunities and such overwhelming public, political and business support, there is something wrong with us."
NZN