Delays to Christchurch's anchor projects have robbed the Canterbury economy of more than $150 million worth of investment, the Labour Party says.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Government financial statements released by Treasury show the government spent $154 million less in central Christchurch than forecast in the year to March.
The underspend has been put down to continuing delay in delivering the anchor projects, such as the convention centre and metro sports facility.
Labour's spokesperson for Canterbury issues Megan Woods said that more than five years on from the February 2011 earthquake, the government was still dragging the chain and the CBD was deserted.
She said the new agencies Regenerate Christchurch and Otakaro needed to pick up the pace, as the time for progress had already passed.