Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority chief executive Roger Sutton starts work on Monday.
Mr Sutton, the former head of the lines company Orion, was appointed to the position in May. He is expected to lead the authority for the next five years.
Mr Sutton says his priority will be getting information to people who live against hillsides or by rivers about when their land issues will be resolved following the earthquake on 22 February.
He says people want to know how fast the city's infrastructure can be repaired, when demolition work will be completed and when they will be able to get back to work.