Two years later, Kaikoura residents are still fighting for payouts and claims settlement relating to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake of November 2016.
News programme Checkpoint, as reported by Radio NZ, spoke to property owners affected by the devastating event who are reportedly still waiting for payouts from the Kaikoura District Council or the government.
Other residents are facing section 124 notices, a red sticker meaning they are not allowed entry to their properties, and have called the government’s refusal to stump up more cash “discriminatory.”
According to RNZ, the council received $1.5 million from the government to address the land hazard issue and find a way forward. However, it suggested the funding is clearly not enough to pay everyone.
Council chief executive Angela Oosthuizen previously told the news programme she had hoped a resolution would have been found by now, but instead things have been delayed further. She expects a report that will address land hazard issues and possible options for homeowners to be available in December.
Despite this, Oosthuizen said the council has still made some significant achievements during the earthquake recovery including finalising all of its insurance proceeds.
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) and insurers, meanwhile, said they are pleased with how the industry has responded to the disaster.
“It is really pleasing to see our customers have been happy with the service provided, with a 70% customer satisfaction rating across all Kaikoura claims,” EQC chief executive Sid Miller noted.
ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton detailed that 99.2% of total claims resulting from the event have been settled or partly-settled, with a total of $1.43 billion paid out.
“Kaikoura has shown how insurers and EQC can work together in the aftermath of major events using this model,” he added.
