Sections are on the market for a new subdivision in Christchurch which will house up to 8000 residents.
About 2500 houses will be built on more than 200 hectares of land in the northeast of the earthquake-hit city.
Developers say extensive geotechinical investigations have been carried out on the land and it is not prone to liquefaction or other quake-related hazards.
The chairman of the group of developers, David Schwartfeger, says the new properties mark the start of a rebuild process which will get families back to some normality in the severely damaged eastern suburbs.
Mr Schwartfeger says plans for a school and supermarket in the area are also being considered, and land has been set aside for these.
Foodstuffs South Island says work on the supermarket is likely to begin in late 2013.
The subdivision, called Prestons, is bounded by Mairehau Road and Lower Styx Road, and bisected by Prestons Road.
