Canterbury insurers are failing to meet their own post-earthquake rebuild targets, blaming "unforeseen" problems for the delays.

The prime minister says big-ticket Christchurch recovery projects could be downsized.

Insurer Ansvar says it has settled nearly all of its 25 largest claims in Canterbury.

A Christchurch councillor says the city could offload non-core assets, including its own offices, to help pay for big-ticket rebuild projects.

Insurer Ansvar pays out $511 million of claims, settling more than three-quarters of the earthquake claims lodged with the company.

Cafe owner says businesses will fail in the rebuild of Christchurch because of the red tape around consents.

Historic building and church insurer Ansvar paid out $511 million worth of claims in 2012.

Partial sales of city assets could be a way for Christchurch to get its 'nice-to-haves', PM says.

Planners 'should commit' to a Christchurch convention centre now or risk losing vital tourist dollars.

Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce boss is leading a group of 15 organisations to Washington DC.

Christchurch's mass of roadworks is taking a toll on the city's businesses.

A giant subdivision in an area bigger than Hagley Park has been given the go-ahead for north Christchurch.

LATEST: The end of Christchurch's central city cordon draws nearer as Cathedral Square reopens.

Building firms and engineers are pushing forward foundation solutions for the earthquake-prone land of Canterbury.

Christchurch businesses are being warned that doing business will be "much more challenging" in six months.

The Earthquake Commission is delaying payment on 14,000 problem cases and has no timeframe for when it will pay out.

Canterbury unemployment has hit a new low in the period since the earthquakes, to be 4.3 per cent.

Fifteen thousand jobs have been created and filled in Canterbury in the past year.

Two of Christchurch's wealthiest families have combined to form a soon-to-be launched local construction company.

An earthquake insurance specialist sees many parallels between claims from Christchurch and those from the Californian Northridge quake in 1994.