Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is going on a promotional trip to Asia next week.
He says he spent a lot of time with the Crown observer this week and believes the council is already making progress.
He will be spend more time with him later in February and in March.
Mr Parker told Morning Report he's dealing with the real world and has work to do and a city to rebuild.
Anti-council protest co-organiser Mike Coleman says it's bizarre for Mr Parker, to go to China in the middle of a crisis over governance.
He told Morning Report that while the mayor does not want to let China down, he seems happy to let Christchurch down.
Rev Coleman said new elections are vital because the people in charge do not have the skills to lead the city into the future and dissatisfaction at the slowness of the city's rebuild process, is widespread.
