Parker 'too busy' for free trip

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Christchurch earthquake

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Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has turned down an all-expenses-paid speaking engagement in Switzerland because he is too busy.

Days before the February 22 earthquake, Parker was criticised for travelling more than 30 hours to give a 15-minute address to a United Nations-sanctioned quake summit in Nepal.

He confirmed yesterday that he had been invited to speak at a UN gathering in Geneva next month, but declined because "I've just got too much on my plate here".

He had been asked to give a presentation and be part of a panel debate at the World Reconstruction Conference.

"Too much is happening," he said. "My focus is how we pull together the massive planning exercise for the CBD, as much as I would have liked to have accepted an all-expenses-paid trip to Switzerland."

Parker was criticised for not telling councillors about his Nepal trip until the last minute and for going while he faced criticism of the way he and the council were handling the recovery.

More than 2000 leaders, policymakers and representatives from are expected to attend the Swiss conference.

- © Fairfax NZ News