A Christchurch man whose Avonside home has just been placed in the residential red zone says he did not expect the decision and had wanted to stay in the area.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced on Friday that 213 properties in eastern Christchurch have been rezoned red - meaning their owners can not rebuild on the land.
They had previously been in the orange zone which denotes flat land properties where more work is needed.
Co-chair of an Avonside residents group Paul Watson says it has been an agonising wait for information and just having a decision is a relief.
But he says, while some locals are delighted by the decision because it means they can move on, his family had hoped to be zoned green, allowing them to rebuild.
