Prime Minister John Key says he believes the population of Christchurch will rise over time, rather than fall, as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Mr Key says some people left Christchurch temporarily, but not in the numbers originally expected.
He says rebuilding the city will create demand and opportunity, and he expects people to move to the city from overseas, as well as from other parts of New Zealand.
Mr Key says the Earthquake Commission and construction company Fletchers are examples of organisations that now employ more people in Christchurch.
