Earthquake Commission
Release

Finance Minister Steven Joyce and the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee have today announced plans to simplify and improve the EQC scheme for New Zealanders.

“EQC has provided huge support to New Zealanders following the Christchurch, Seddon, and Kaikōura earthquakes,” Mr Joyce says.

“This review has provided us the opportunity to consider how the scheme could work more effectively for future natural disasters.

Gerry Brownlee Steven Joyce Foreign Affairs Finance Earthquake Commission
Release

The Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee says settlement offers for the majority of claims from the Kaikōura earthquake are on track to be made by the end of the year.

In the wake of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in November 2016, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and private insurers signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help ensure claims were resolved efficiently and in a timely manner.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission
Speech

I assume the title ‘Seismic Shifts’ doesn’t require me to deliver a long, detailed dissertation on what many people here in Canterbury have lived through for more than six years, or to give you a lesson on the world’s tectonic plates.

It does, however, afford an opportunity to discuss changes in the structure of the economy and the role of communications and the public relation sector in getting information and messages to affected people.

Yesterday, Steven Joyce delivered the ninth Budget from a National-led government since 2008.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission
Release

Earthquake Commission (EQC) levies will increase from 1 November to help rebuild its Natural Disaster Fund (NDF), which has been depleted following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes.

“EQC has provided huge support to New Zealanders following the Christchurch, Seddon, and Kaikōura earthquakes, but in the process it has exhausted its reserves,” Finance Minister Steven Joyce says.

Gerry Brownlee Steven Joyce Finance Earthquake Commission Budget 2017
Release

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) will lead the clean-up of flood-damaged properties in Edgecumbe, say Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee and Lead Minister for Edgecumbe Anne Tolley.

“I’ve authorised EQC to clean-up all affected properties in the township, including for those homeowners who do not have insurance,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Having the Government pick up the tab for cleaning up Edgecumbe means work can get underway while cost sharing arrangements are finalised with the Whakatane District Council.

Anne Tolley Gerry Brownlee Social Development Earthquake Commission
Release

The government will fund a free and independent advisory service to assist North Canterbury residents with insurance claims, Civil Defence Minister and Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee says.

This pilot programme will be set up to deal with the specific insurance needs of residents following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on November 14, 2016.

“I’m sure this announcement will be a relief for many residents who may be struggling with the complexities of their insurance claims,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission Civil Defence
Release

Three months after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on 14 November, encouraging recovery progress is being made in affected communities.

Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says the government and local authorities are working alongside not-for-profit organisations and businesses on a multi-pronged recovery effort in the wake of the 14 November earthquake.

“People’s wellbeing and livelihoods are our top priority,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission Defence Civil Defence
Release

The Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission (EQC) Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between EQC and private insurers.

EQC and New Zealand’s major private insurers have reached an agreement which will help ensure thousands of claims following the November 14 earthquake are resolved efficiently and in a timely manner.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission Civil Defence
Release

The Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee says outgoing chief executive Ian Simpson should be commended for his leadership during unprecedented times in the nation’s history.

Ian Simpson is leaving EQC at the end of the year to take up the role of chief executive with GNS Science.

“I first spoke to Ian on September 5 2010 following the September 4 2010 earthquake.

“Since that time, he has superintended one of the biggest insurance company responses to any natural disaster anywhere in the world.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission
Release

Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee has announced one new appointment and two reappointments to the Board of the Earthquake Commission (EQC).

“I am pleased to re-appoint Sir Maarten Wevers as Chairman for a further term of three years commencing 1 June 2016,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Mary Jane Daly, who has been a board member since March 2014, has been elevated to the position of Deputy Chair for the remainder of her term, which is set to conclude in February 2017.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission
Release

Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission (EQC) Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the Auditor General’s report released today highlighting the progress being made with the Canterbury Home Repair Programme (CHRP), and the continued benefits it is delivering.

Today’s report is a follow-up to a 2013 report by Auditor General Lyn Provost that recommended that EQC make improvements in five areas of the Canterbury Home Repair Programme.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission
Speech

Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.

I would like to acknowledge my Parliamentary colleague the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Hon Paul Goldsmith; Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) President Chris Black; Council members and the other speakers today.

Over the past five years New Zealanders have seen the massive value of having insurance against natural disaster damage.

Gerry Brownlee Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Earthquake Commission
Release

Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission (EQC), Gerry Brownlee, and Associate Minister of Finance, Steven Joyce, say the Government has developed a number of proposals to reform the EQC Act, which are being released for public discussion today. 

Steven Joyce Gerry Brownlee Finance Earthquake Commission
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Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister and Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee is leading the New Zealand delegation to the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, from March 14-18.

“New Zealand’s expertise in reducing disaster risk is internationally recognised,” Mr Brownlee says.

“This conference will advance global thinking on how countries can reduce the risks of disasters through innovative and best practice initiatives.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission Canterbury Earthquake Recovery
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The 70th anniversary since the Earthquake and War Damage Commission was set up in January 1945, is a proud milestone for all New Zealanders, Minister responsible for the EQC, Gerry Brownlee says.

“With the Earthquake Commission (EQC) marking its 70th anniversary today, New Zealanders can be thankful that their grandparents’ generation had the foresight to create such a scheme,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission