for all the naysayers, CHCH will be back better than ever, when we have a vibrant, MODERN city, with great public transport, attractive business housing and systems, fantastic lifestyle do you really think no one is going to come. We attracted many before this, we just have to wait, which is hard but man oh man the big picture is awesome. How often does a city get to rebuild itself and correct the thoughts of past generations that no longer fit a modern society.

For those that stick it out for the long haul your belief in CHCH will be rewarded with a world renowned city. Not only will it bring a building boom during the rebuild, but also a tourist boom after as peole around the globe will come to see how it was rebuilt.

I am a born and bred Christchurch boy that has lived in Australia and England for the last 22 years. In three months I'm moving back to live in Christchurch with my wife and children. I do not pretend to understand what my family and friends are going thru in my home town, therefore I won't comment on that. However I can't wait to get back home and bring with myself and my family our business. Christchurch will be great once again and I for one want to be part of that!

John(Key's) 1000 reflect only the change in registered unemployed in Chch.

Thats not considering the thousands of previously unemployed people in the eastern suburbs who now live in Rangiora, Timaru, Ashburton etc who now bulge their unemployment figures, and boost their crime rates, incidentally Rangioras Burglary rate has increased over 1000% since February.

And not considering the brain/skills drain of those who have upped and moved for work elsewhere, I know of at least 6 couples/familys in professions or trades now calling Australia home.

How is this counted? I have been made redundant and know many more people who have aswell. Is this 1000 people who have gone on to claim the unemployment benefit or the actual number of those been made redundant. 1000 people is sad but great news, unfortunatly it sounds too good to be true....

Sorry, just thought the headline was the PM doing a Ken Ring-like prediction for another earthquake.

BOOM ahead for Christchurch.

It is going to be a boom period in Christchurch, once things eventually get underway. I am looking forward to it. But I am sick of waiting. As so many thousands and thousands or others, many who've lost their livelyhood so cannot wait forever (a lot more than the 1000 people that JK must have telephoned)

Get the infrastructure back on track, water, sewer, stormwater and smooth road networks and confidence will return to the eastern suburbs.

John key is partially right, but the reality is many many people are suffering and will continue to suffer and althou there will be more work in the building trade this will not provide jobs for everyone who are now unemployed. I am sick of his constant populace statements which lack substance and are made for political gain. It is time for him to start telling as it is.

Gosh, there's going to be a building boom in Christchurch, what amazing insight John Key shows. If this is the best he can offer it really is time to stand down. We're sick of the ockie dockie man turning up smiling and waving but with no substance. Come on National, we've had the poster boy now let's put in a leader before we risk the next election.

I see the same simpletons who couldn't comprehend Bill English and completely misinterpretted what he was trying to say are now doing the same thing with John Key now.

AJ, New Zealand can easily foot it against anywhere, and be wealthy and strong, but not with that attitude! I am in a small country now that exports mostly to places 15 hours flight away and has first world prospects, big time. It takes education, hard work, keeping our capital, and a winner's attitude:self belief. Ever since colonial poms came and were disappointed with the swamps and the flax we have struggled with that last, but there is no longer a good reason to hang on to that view.