A new 2,000-capacity convention centre is one of the key developments planned in a new ‘blueprint’ to rebuild the earthquake-ravaged city of Christchurch, New Zealand.

The new convention centre, in a prime central location near the Avon River, will cover 24,000sqm, with capability to hold three events simultaneously. It will also include two hotels and retail outlets.

It will form part of a large rebuilding programme for the city, which was hit by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in February 2011, claiming 182 lives and causing £15.5bn worth of damage.

The New Zealand government has outlined plans to buy up whole city blocks of what is predominantly now cleared rubble to build a new city centre.

The low-rise blueprint - all buildings other than hotels will have a seven-storey height limit - will include a new Maori cultural centre, new performing arts centre, indoor sports centre, and shopping precinct. A 35,000-seat sports stadium will also be built on the edge of the CBD for international rugby matches.