An announcement on when the long-delayed Christchurch convention centre will be built is due soon, says the prime minister.
The so-called anchor project was unveiled four years ago as a means of attracting private sector investment into a CBD devastated by earthquakes.
Construction was due to start two years ago, but the prime central city site remains empty.
Today on a visit to the city, John Key said the government was getting close to the finish line.
"We've seen the plans, we've identified what the gaps in costings are, between what the government wanted to pay, and what the developer wanted to develop the project at. I think we've found a way through of closing that gap."
Mr Key said he was not concerned at reports Ngai Tahu wanted to withdraw from the project.