A decision on whether Rugby World Cup matches can be played in earthquake-ravaged Christchurch is still weeks away, according to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.

The city is scheduled to host seven matches, including two quarter-finals, in September and October and Mr Key said on Monday his cabinet understood the significance of those matches going ahead, if that was possible.

Mr Key said there would be a clear picture on the state of Christchurch's AMI stadium within a few weeks.

"The biggest issue is the stadium...if in the end we can get a stadium that operates, then we will deal with accommodation issues, and bars and restaurants, but we can't address those issues before we know about the stadium," he said at his post-cabinet press conference.

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