Quake rebuild money man announced

Mark Ford. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The man who led the reorganisation of local government in Auckland has been appointed to a key role in the rebuild of earthquake-hit Christchurch.

The Government today announced Mark Ford as the independent chair of the Client Governance Group that manages the $2.2 billion infrastructure and reconstruction project in Christchurch.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said Mr Ford was uniquely qualified for the new role.

"Mr Ford leads New Zealand's largest water company Watercare Services, is chair of the Auckland Transport CCO and led the reorganisation of local government in Auckland," Mr Brownlee said.

Mr Brownlee said the Government was on track with its spending on earthquake recovery, but figures he cited today suggested the investment is taking place at a slower rate than initially forecast.

The Government had spent $2.45 billion of the $5.5 billion Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund in the current financial year but was forecast to spend $2.81 billion in last year's Budget.

Mr Brownlee said quake recovery spending in the coming 2012/13 financial year would be $2.17 billion, an increase over the $1.67 billion picked in last year's Budget for that period.