Wellington, March 02: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says it will take months rather than weeks to decide whether or not to host seven scheduled Rugby World Cup matches in earthquake devastated Christchurch.
Key says his “strong preference” is to proceed as planned because “it sends a very strong international message that Christchurch is going through a rebuilding phase, and equally, if we don’t, sadly the message is it’s not.”
Authorities have predicted it will take months to get essential services back to normal after last week’s 6.3 magnitude earthquake, which destroyed downtown parts of the city and has claimed at least 159 lives.
Key said cruise ships could be used to accommodate fans if there wasn’t enough hotel accommodation.
——–Agencies