New group calling for original cathedral to be saved

More pleas - directly to Christchurch's Anglican Bishop - to save ChristChurch Cathedral.

A new group, called Restore Christchurch Cathedral's written an open letter to the Bishop urging her to halt the deconstruction and openly consider repair options for it.

The call comes after a petition from 100 New Zealand engineers adamant the building can be saved.

Group spokesman Mark Belton says restoring the cathedral would cost between 50 and 60 million dollars - a figure that's quite achievable.

"The art centre's $250 million, stadium 300 (million) I think and the convention centre $350 million and we're talking $50 million for the most important building historically in the identity of Christchurch city."

Mr Belton says if the church opts not to rebuild the Cathedral, as it was, it will find it hard to raise money from the public for an alternative replacement.

The Anglican Bishop of Christchurch is happy to meet with those against the decision to deconstruct the city's cathedral.

Victoria Matthews was met by a group of protestors outside a church in the city on Saturday morning.

"I just always find it extraordinary that I'm the one who always suggests meeting and they protest. I'm happy to meet with them."

Victoria Matthews says she won't be meeting with them alone, and will instead bring a group of people who can speak on a range of issues relating to the cathedral's deconstruction.