Govt to reveal fate of Christchurch homes tomorrow 1.30pm

UPDATE 11.40am: The government will announce initial details on the fate of thousands of quake-damaged houses in Christchurch tomorrow at 1.30pm. 

The government is today expected to finalise the most difficult announcement it has had to handle since coming to power - the future of thousands of Christchurch homes in the city's quake-stricken suburbs.

Owners have been pleading for weeks to be told whether they can repair or rebuild their homes, or have to abandon them because the land is unstable.

Prime Minister John Key and senior ministers discussed the announcement at a meeting last night and it is expected to be made tomorrow.

Labour's Christchurch East MP, Lianne Dalziel, said yesterday she believed the announcement would be made tomorrow because she had learned of planned newspaper advertisements and a mass mail out.

But the Government refused to confirm that.

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English told reporters he "couldn't say for sure" that there would be an announcement tomorrow.

"The issues here are just the complexity of getting the reinsurers, who are all offshore, lined up with the insurance companies, with the community's need for certainty, and doing that in a way that's fair to the people of Christchurch," he said.

"We fully understand the frustration that there is for people right across Christchurch who've been knocked around, particularly by the last quake, so we are going to do everything we can."

Mr Key's movements have added weight to the belief that the announcement will be made on Thursday.

He returned from Australia yesterday, is due to visit Christchurch tomorrow, and is scheduled to leave for India on Friday.

Labour's earthquake recovery spokesman, Clayton Cosgrove, said yesterday it seemed letters would be sent to every home owner followed by public meetings.

"People need to be presented with a range of options -- they can't be offered something on a take it or leave it basis," he said.

"Contractors have been put on hold and so has the recovery effort -- no one knows why, people are champing at the bit to get going but are getting no information.