The Government's Central City Development Unit, charged with spearheading the rebuilding of Christchurch's CBD, is preparing a campaign to attract investors and potential residents to the new-look city.

A tender released yesterday says the unit will release a preliminary investment memorandum at the same time as a new recovery plan and blueprint for the city centre is launched at the end of the month.

The plans will reveal the location of several "anchor projects" indentified when the CCDU was announced. These are mostly rebuilds of municipal facilities such as a conference centre, sports facilities and a transport centre.

But to attract investment, the unit is now looking for a marketing partner offering a contract worth up to $750,000 over the next 12 months.

"We need a multi-faceted marketing strategy to enable us to attract investment. The campaign will target national and international investors, funders, insurers and reinsurers and local, national and international businesses looking to set up or who are already operating in Christchurch," the tender says.

Another objective is to market the central city to local residents as "a place they will want to live, work, shop and play in".

Overseas rebuilding experience has also shown that community support is vital so the unit also needs an active events and engagement strategy.

"Locally, we also need to link with the draft Central City Plan to reinforce to residents that we are building on their vision for their city. Internationally, we need to link closely with the wider 'NZ Inc' approach and branding," the tender says.

The unit is also tendering for valuation services for residential Red Zone properties that accept the Crown's settlement offer.

- © Fairfax NZ News