17 May 2018

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Mayor Lianne Dalziel says the Government’s Budget announcement launching a tribunal to help settle outstanding Earthquake Commission (EQC) and residential insurance claims is a positive step forwards.

“There is still a significant number of people in our city who have not been able to move on from the earthquakes because they are locked in disputes with either EQC or their insurer.

Today’s announcement by the Government means they now have somewhere to turn and a real prospect of getting resolution after years of uncertainty,’’ the Mayor says.

“This development is long overdue and will come as a huge relief to all those whose claims are still dragging on.’’

The tribunal will resolve unsettled residential insurance disputes arising from the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.  It will provide an active, individually case-managed resolution process for claimants and their insurers, as well as mediation services.

The Government has provided $6.5 million in operating funds and $1.5 million to establish the tribunal.

Mayor Dalziel is also welcoming the news the Government will fund an independent inquiry into the performance of EQC during the Canterbury earthquakes.

The Budget provides operating funding of $800,000 in 2017/18 and $2.4 million in 2018/19, as well as $100,000 of capital in 2017/18 to ensure the inquiry has the resources it needs.

This independent inquiry will have the power to compel evidence and to hold public hearings.

“EQC’s performance after the earthquakes has been widely criticised and is at the heart of so many people’s current circumstances.

“We must look back in order to understand and learn. This way we can ensure that other people don’t have to go through the struggles that so many Christchurch residents have,'' the Mayor says.