The Press is the "enemy" of Christchurch's recovery, says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

During a robust interview about zoning decisions yesterday, the Brownlee said: "We're getting into the sort of zone of, frankly, The Press again being the enemy of recovery.

"Happy for you to put that in the paper because I know a lot of people think it," he said.

Brownlee has said previously he does not read The Press.

His comments came as political newsletter the Trans Tasman named Brownlee one of the best performing government ministers and Education Minister Hekia Parata as one of the worst.

The Ilam MP rated 7.5 out of 10, one of the best in Parliament, but fell from his 2011 rating of nine out of 10 and the politician of the year gong.

Trans Tasman observed the pressure of the Christchurch rebuild was starting to tell, but that Brownlee had "one of the most difficult jobs in Cabinet".

Education Minister Hekia Parata was the standout worst performer in Cabinet, dropping from 6.5 out of 10 in 2011 to just two after the botched plan to revamp Christchurch schools and the U-turn on smaller class sizes.

She had "moved past the point of her competence . . . tough and smart, but not politically astute".

- © Fairfax NZ News