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Christchurch residents need to be treated with respect in the aftermath of tomorrow's announcement on the future of their homes, Mayor Bob Parker says.
Earlier today, the Government confirmed the update tomorrow on the land left uninhabitable by Christchurch's earthquakes.
Those in areas scheduled for demolition and rebuilding would not be expected to move away from their homes immediately, Mayor Parker said.
"We have to figure out how to take a humanitarian approach to one of the biggest crises New Zealand has ever faced.
"We will handle people with the utmost respect."
He defended the time it had taken for Government to put the initial land report together.
The information would give people needed certainty on the future of their properties and communities, he said.
"It's not as if anyone has been delaying it on purpose. They're bringing it at the earliest possible time.
"We don't know what the information contains yet but obviously anything that can help give clarity to the community and those most affected is most welcome.
"I hope it's the certainty people need."
Mr Parker confirmed he would be at the press conference with Mr Key and Mr Brownlee.
He earlier told Newstalk ZB people "have a right" to know what is happening to their land, however cautioned against rushing the decision.
"There is certainly a huge amount of speculation and it looks like that is driving the announcement ... that is bad for Christchurch," he said.
"When we get the decision ... it needs to be clear.
"I want it right - I want it as soon as possible - but I want it right."
Mr Parker said it was clear to most people what areas were "munted beyond belief", but decisions needed to be made on what would happen to those areas and the residents.
"These are people's lives," he said. "It shouldn't be a media feeding frenzy."
Update coming
Media are to be briefed by Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Tonkin and Taylor representatives at the Christchurch Art Gallery at 12.30pm tomorrow.
They'll receive an "initial greater Christchurch land update", according to Mr Brownlee's office.
The media lockdown will be followed by a press conference at 1.30pm with Prime Minister John Key also present.
"As part of this announcement, the Government will be presenting options for homeowners with insurance in some of the worst affected areas," Mr Brownlee said.
"This is the next step in the government's commitment to providing timely and accurate information to the people of greater Christchurch.
"While we will not be able to provide all the answers to all residents tomorrow, we will continue to provide regular updates to residents on progress over coming weeks.
"This announcement will provide some certainty for residents in the worst affected areas, and will give them options for their immediate future.
"We will be releasing the most up-to-date information we have about the state of the land in greater Christchurch."
Information and help for affected residents
A website and call centre will be activated tomorrow afternoon which will allow residents to be able to find out about the status of their land.
A series of community meetings will also be held over the next days and weeks for affected residents.
Mr Brownlee and Canterbury Earthquake Recovery authority Roger Sutton appeared this morning at the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.
Mr Brownlee said the Ministry of Social Development was working on a plan to contact the most vulnerable people in the worst affected areas after tomorrow's announcement.
He said that hundreds of engineers had been involved in the land assessments.
Decisions must be "best outcome"
Earlier today, Mr Key would not confirm to TV3's Firstline whether an announcement would be made tomorrow, but said Cabinet talks yesterday were "very satisfactory" and the Government was keen to give homeowners as much information "as fast as we can".
The main thing was to get the "best outcome for affected homeowners".
He said a decision was close but Cabinet wanted to make the best possible decision because, under pressure, there was a tendency to rush and make a decision to make the problem go away.
"I think we will be in a position soon to give them a clear indication," he said.
Mr Key is flying to India on Sunday, but said there is no rush to make an announcement before he leaves.
"In the end it is about getting it right - not my travel plans."
Residents "have a right" to information
Christchurch City Mayor Bob Parker told Newstalk ZB people "have a right" to know what is happening to their land, however cautioned against rushing the decision.
"There is certainly a huge amount of speculation and it looks like that is driving the announcement ... that is bad for Christchurch," he said. "When we get the decision ... it needs to be clear.
"I want it right - I want it as soon as possible - but I want it right."
Mr Parker said it was clear to most people what areas were "munted beyond belief", but decisions needed to be made on what would happen to those areas and the residents.
"These are people's lives," he said. "It shouldn't be a media feeding frenzy."
Bexley resident Nick Hovenden is one person eagerly awaiting information.
He told Newstalk ZB a letter in the mail will not be good enough.
"It would be better if it was in a personal kind of fashion, I suppose, like you're actually talking to someone. I don't think a letter is good enough. Someone needs to actually contact you and have a meeting and say why they've made the decisions," he said.
Mr Hovenden knows his house and surrounding area is a write off.
"I know that I can't rebuild my house here, and I've probably known that since September but I've been waiting for all this crap to get sorted out so I can move on. So they can kick on and I can find a piece of land I can where I can rebuild on, and that annoys me the most."
