A series of redevelopments in Christchurch will result in 200 to 350 homes being built in the next 18 months.

Housing New Zealand said today it would start a series of small redevelopments in Christchurch to replenish its depleted housing stock and make better use of existing properties.

Housing New Zealand has 6127 houses in Christchurch, 95 per cent of which have been damaged by the earthquakes.

The damage ranges from minor repairs to houses that are structurally unsound.

So far, 94 Housing New Zealand sites have been identified for minor redevelopment. 

Development options include subdividing land, moving or demolishing some houses and replacing badly quake-damaged houses with new homes.

Housing New Zealand spokesman Sean Bignell said the work was a precursor to larger-scale redevelopment plans, which were still waiting on settlement on insurance claims and a range of technical issues and challenges.

"The work programme will involve small-scale redevelopment projects of generally one to 10 new dwellings per site in a variety of suburbs across the city," he said.

Housing New Zealand will seek expressions of interest from property development groups from tomorrow.

Selected groups will make up a "preferred development partner panel", with members invited to submit proposals for specific development opportunities.

The closing date for expressions of interest will be June 5 at 4pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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