21 February 2017

***Start***

Empowered Christchurch Press Release
(for immediate publication)

22 February 2017: Christchurch Earthquake Protest No. 2

No substantial progress in last 12 months for claimants – growing number heading to the High Court

To mark the sixth anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake, the unheard and unsettled EQC and insurance claimants will once again be holding a protest in Cathedral Square at 2 p.m. This time, we have decided to hold a silent chalk protest, similar to the activity that concluded the Protest Rally in 2016. The time has been chosen as a sign of respect to visitors from abroad and the families of the victims of the earthquake who will be attending the dedication of the earthquake memorial at 12 noon.

It is also the first anniversary of the 2016 protest rally. Over the last 12 months, Empowered Christchurch has made submissions on relevant legislation (the Regenerate Christchurch Bill, the Christchurch Replacement District Plan, et al.), highlighted injustices in the recovery process (existing use rights; houses that were consented and built well below the minimum height pursuant to the Building Act; the EQC land compensation process; temporary stop banks, and flooding and erosion risks), and engaged in endless (and, unfortunately, largely fruitless) correspondence with the different local and national authorities and politicians from the various parties. Here is a brief summary of the status quo in Christchurch – 72 months after the February 2011 earthquake:

83% of insurance claims settled (ICNZ statistic as at 31 December 2016)

2000 properties with no land remediation solutions (EQC statistic)

High Flood Hazard Management Areas (HFHMAs) due to be introduced in April 2017 – introduction delayed at the request of the Minister supporting the Greater Christchurch Recovery

Highest number of suicides in Canterbury in nearly a decade

$861m in declared claims in earthquake cases before the Christchurch High Court. No amount declared for approximately 25% of cases, so the actual total will be well in excess of $1 billion.

Land claims against the EQC in preparation

Over 10,000 botched EQC repairs – many claimants heading to court

Large number of as-is properties posing a risk in future seismic events

Hollow claims and empty promises:

"No-one in Christchurch will be worse off as a result of the earthquakes.”

…"We have a city to rebuild. We have peoples' livelihoods to restore. We have a community's confidence to inspire.”

(John Key, February 2011)

"He [John Key] says the Government is genuinely and desperately committed to getting the thing resolved and it is talking to the insurers to try to get them to do the same." (John Key, February 2016)

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/christchurch-earthquake-five-years-on/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503989&objectid=11593669

All Christchurch land-damage claims will be settled by the end of 2014, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) says. (7 November 2012)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/…/7914849/Claims-on-land-settled-by-…

“The Fair Insurance Code set a high benchmark for self-regulation, so this data makes evident that the public can have trust and confidence in their dealings with our members and their commitment to resolving claims.” (Tim Grafton, CEO Insurance Council of New Zealand, 17 February 2017)

About Empowered Christchurch Incorporated:

Empowered Christchurch is an apolitical community group set up to support Canterbury earthquake insurance claimants, engage on their behalf with the relevant authorities and entities, and help them achieve fair and just settlements.

www.empoweredchristchurch.co.nz

***END

© Scoop Media