New Zealand is threatened by significant natural hazards. Past experience in New Zealand has demonstrated an ability to cope with small-scale natural disasters; but the recent September 4, 2010 and February 22, 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch has tested our ability to tackle a large-scale event. Given the amount of damage to residential property, commercial buildings and infrastructure, the repair and reconstruction in the quake affected areas will challenge the New Zealand construction sector in terms of resources and capacity. Resource pressures including shortages of materials, components, specialised skills, and professionals are likely to play out in pricing, quality and ability to deliver projects on time.


The University of Auckland is undertaking a research project entitled 'The Canterbury Reconstruction Resourcing' (referred to as RecRes). The project aims to understand the availability of resources that are required for repair and rebuilding of the damaged built environment. The project will monitor and evaluate resource situations as the repair and reconstruction proceeds on an on-going basis, and will inform the construction industry and recovery planning for the greater Christchurch.


RecRes project is collaboration between the University of Auckland, the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ), the Resilient Organisations Programme (Resorgs) and key industry players. It is funded by the University of Auckland and BRANZ. This website is designed to provide recovery participants access to a resourcing survey and regular reports on the resource situations over the recovery period in Christchurch.