Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission

Message from Dame Silvia Cartwright, Chair of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission

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9 April, 2020

Mōrena
 
This morning Government Ministers have released the Report of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission, and a companion summary of what the Inquiry heard from people.

For those who are interested, these documents can be viewed at the Inquiry’s website - eqcinquiry.govt.nz
 

It will be for the Ministers to consider my findings and recommendations, and decide what actions to take to improve how EQC operates and the future outcomes for claimants.
 
Thank you once again to all those who contributed to the Inquiry, and stay safe through these difficult days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Ngā mihi,

Dame Silvia Cartwright
Chair of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission

2 April, 2020

Mōrena,

We are living in extraordinary times and while everyone is rightly focused at present on getting through the COVID-19 pandemic, I still felt it important to provide this final update to those with an interest in the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission.
 

In the last few days I have handed over my findings and recommendations, in the form of the Report of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission, to New Zealand’s Governor-General. I also presented a companion document to the Inquiry report that summarises what people told the Inquiry. These two documents have subsequently been passed from the Governor-General to the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission, as is the required process.

My work in producing the Inquiry report and companion summary was largely complete when New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic began to escalate, and as such I was determined to see it through and meet the requirement for the Inquiry to report by the end of March.  

It will now be for the appropriate Minister to present the Inquiry report to the House of Representatives when able; consider my findings and recommendations; and determine what actions to take to improve the work of EQC and the future outcomes for claimants. I acknowledge that the Government is presently facing enormous responsibilities and demands in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic response and this may impact upon its ability to respond to my recommendations.

The public release of the Report of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission, and its companion summary, is also a matter for the Government. However, once these documents are publicly released I will advise you and I expect the documents will be available on the Inquiry website – eqcinquiry.govt.nz - for people to view.  

I want to once again thank all of those who have participated in or supported this Inquiry. Your input has been crucial to this process.

Finally, I want to pass on my best wishes to everyone as we together face this challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Do everything you can to keep yourselves and those close to you safe, and we will find our way through this.

Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui.

Dame Silvia Cartwright
Chair of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission

Message from Chair of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission, Dame Silvia Cartwright

From the Chair of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission

Monday, 13 May 2019

Good afternoon,

You may have read in my last newsletter in April about written submissions being encouraged for the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission. There is still time to make a submission (until 26 May); however in this update I wanted to also make you aware of Public Forums taking place from later this week.

These forums are an opportunity for people to drop in and talk to the Inquiry face to face, see what others are saying, or take part in group discussions with me. Below are details about these forums in Christchurch and North Canterbury over the next few weeks, and how to register for a group discussion.

Christchurch Public Forums

Location: Level 1, Tūranga central library, 60 Cathedral Sq
Friday 17 May
Drop-in: 10.30am – 1.30pm 
Group discussion: 12.00pm - 1.15pm (no spaces available)

Saturday 18 May
Drop-in: 11.00am – 4.30pm

Sunday 19 May
Drop-in: 11.00am – 4.30pm

Monday 20 May
Drop-in: 10.30am - 4.30pm
Group discussion: 1.00pm - 2.30pm

Tuesday 21 May
Drop-in: 11.00am - 4.30pm
Group discussion: 1.00pm - 2.30pm

Tuesday 4 June
Drop-in: 1.30pm – 7.00pm
Group discussion: 5.15pm - 6.30pm

Wednesday 5 June
Drop-in: 1.30pm – 7.00pm
Group discussion: 5.15pm - 6.30pm

Thursday 6 June
Drop-in: 10.30am - 1.00pm

Waimakariri Public Forum

Location: Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre, 176 Williams Street, Kaiapoi
Monday 27 May
Drop-in: 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Group discussion: 5.30pm - 6.30pm

Kaikōura Public Forum
Location: Council Chambers, Kaikōura District Council
Monday 17 June
Drop-in: 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Hurunui Public Forums
Cheviot
Tuesday 11 June
Drop-in: 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Location: Cheviot Emergency Ctr, McQueens Road, Cheviot

Wednesday 12 June
Drop-in: 11.00am - 1.00pm
Location: Waiau Community Hall & Library, 3 Cheviot St,

Whether you are able to attend one of these public forums, or can make a written submission, I’m keen to hear what changes people want to see in how EQC responds to natural disasters.

I appreciate talking about difficult past experiences won’t be easy for many people, especially where there may be a level of mistrust. But I would encourage anyone to make the effort, not just for themselves, but to pay it forward to future generations who will need the insurance cover when natural disasters occur.

If you haven’t heard much about the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission, it has been underway since late last year and operates independently of government. It has a particular focus on the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, but will be about experiences right across New Zealand. I intend to report my findings and recommendations to the Governor-General and the Government by the end of 2019.

I am meeting with experts and organisations central to this Inquiry, as well as affected property owners and their advocates. A Community Reference Group made up of community leaders and advocates is providing me with advice to ensure I gather information widely for the Inquiry.

If you would like to attend a public forum, make a submission, or learn more about the Inquiry and its work, you can do so at our website eqcinquiry.govt.nz. You can also see who I have been meeting with to gather information for the Inquiry.

Please send this newsletter on to anyone you think might be interested in the work of the Inquiry, or you can unsubscribe from the newsletters by clicking below.

I look forward to your participation. Thank you for helping us make positive change for all New Zealanders.

Kind regards,

Dame Silvia Cartwright

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Good morning,

As you may be aware, the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission is examining the role and work of EQC in the aftermath of recent natural disasters, to learn lessons that can be applied to how it operates in future.

You, or your group/organisation, have been identified as potentially having an interest in the work of this Inquiry. As the Inquiry Chair, I wanted to provide an initial update on the Inquiry process and opportunities for people to have their say.

The Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission operates independently of government. It has a particular focus on the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, but will be about experiences right across New Zealand. I intend to report my findings and recommendations to the Governor-General and the Government by the end of 2019.

I am meeting with experts and organisations central to this Inquiry, as well as affected property owners and their advocates. A Community Reference Group made up of community leaders and advocates is providing me with advice to ensure I gather information widely for the Inquiry.      

From today, the Inquiry will formally begin accepting written submissions from individuals and groups/organisations. Submissions can be made online at our website eqcinquiry.govt.nz, or by visiting your local library or service centre where paper submission forms may be available. Further information about the Inquiry is also available on the website.

In addition to providing written information, submitters will also be able to request a meeting with me. I will consider any meeting requests on a case-by-case basis according to whether I think they can further assist the Inquiry. Meeting requests can be made to the Inquiry team by emailing info@eqcinquiry.govt.nz or by phoning 0508 INQ EQC (0508 467 372).

There will also be other opportunities for people to share their experiences and views with the Inquiry, including a series of public forums. We will provide notice of these opportunities in the coming weeks.   

The importance of this Inquiry cannot be overstated. I hope you will help us make positive change for all New Zealanders.

I will issue further updates as the Inquiry progresses. Thank you for your interest in this Inquiry, and I look forward to your participation.
 
Kind regards,
 
Dame Silvia Cartwright