RENT BILL: Police staff moved out of the Hereford St building, which housed Christchurch's central station, in December.

A business unit of Ngai Tahu is suing police for nearly five years' rent for the now abandoned central police station in Christchurch.

The case filed in the High Court last year pitches Ngai Tahu Justice Holdings, a subsidiary of Ngai Tahu Property, against the Crown.

Police moved out of the 1970s Hereford St building last December and moved to the single-storey temporary station in St Asaph St.

Some staff refused to go back in the building after the earthquake on February 22, 2011.

Inspector Derek Erasmus, then central area commander, said at the time of the move that the decision to relocate was made at an emergency meeting called after the aftershocks on December 23, 2011.

An engineer had advised that some services, such as plumbing and water, might fail in another big quake, he said.

High Court case notes show the term of the rental expires in June 2017, but police refused to pay rent from last October and "treats the lease as terminated".

The court has suspended the case so arbitration can be pursued.

National property manager at Police National Headquarters Andrew MacArthur said the case was originally scheduled for the High Court but, after discussion with Ngai Tahu, it was agreed arbitration was more appropriate.

A Ngai Tahu spokeswoman confirmed the referral to arbitration and said it was a private matter.