Empowered Christchurch

Following the protest rally on 21 February 2016, as one of the main organisers, we decided to adopt a legal format and have now formed an incorporated society, Empowered Christchurch Inc.

Representatives from Empowered Christchurch Inc. today attended the handing over to Mr Andrew Little, M.P. of a petition calling for a Royal Commission of Enquiry into EQC repairs.

However, we are extremely concerned that the scope of the requested Royal Commission is much too narrow. If it is accepted in its present form, the crucial areas of land rehabilitation, tidal groundwater under proerties, finished floor levels, EQC’s track record with damage assessment, insurance companies’ delay tactics, and many others, will not be addressed. As several of the attached photos illustrate, new houses have been rebuilt on land for which there are no practical engineering solutions.

EQC is currently making cash settlements for increased flooding vulnerability for properties that are doomed and cannot be rebuilt or remain on their current site. We handed over a letter to Mr Andrew Little, leader of the Labour Party, urging all opposition parties to push for much wider terms of reference for any Royal Commission, and for an enquiry that encompasses both government entities and private insurers.

A Royal Commission of Enquiry will be a time-consuming investigative, consultative and reporting process, and we believe it is much better to have as many issues as possible covered at once, avoiding the need for a further investigation in one or two years' time.

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