Christchurch temporary homes will be NZ supplied - Govt

The Christchurch suburb of Bexley flooded by liquefaction following the earthquake. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A New Zealand company will get the multimillion-dollar contract to build up to 10,000 temporary homes and utility blocks in Christchurch to help resettle the homeless from February's earthquake, The Press newspaper reports.

A spokeswoman for Housing Minister Phil Heatley said there was a Cabinet paper stating all temporary mobile accommodation must be domestically supplied, dismissing rumours a Chinese company had been contracted.

An announcement was expected in about a week. More than 200 companies had bid for the contract, but the seven favoured bids were understood to be from New Zealand.

The Government has called for between 5000 and 10,000 units and has identified several "flat, grassy sites" in Christchurch for the new homes, tender details showed.

Bids must "encourage the use of local contractors and suppliers".

The Government was also considering leasing the temporary homes, rather than buying them, to cut contract costs.

The tender outlined three temporary buildings: a self-contained home with laundry, living space, bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom; a sleeping block for up to four people; and a utility block for bathrooms, laundry or kitchen facilities.

Sleeping and utility blocks could be placed in the yards of homes to make them liveable or create more space for displaced family and friends.

- NZPA