Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Christchurch City Council has enough problems of its own to sort out and shouldn't be seeking to take on more responsibility in the rebuilding of the city.
Gerry Brownlee. Photo: RNZ
Writing in The Press, Mr Brownlee said the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority will remain the leading organisation in the recovery for the near future at least.
Mr Brownlee says the council is going through some major changes, such as management and consenting department restructuring, and is in no fit state to begin leading the rebuild efforts.
He says the council should be more focused on how to maintain leadership beyond April 2016, when CERA's statutory powers expire.