Nor'West News: December 13, 2016

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16 Tuesday December 13 2016 NOR’WEST NEWS EQC UPDATE KEEPING YOU INFORMED | DECEMBER 2016 The year ahead A message from outgoing EQC chief executive Ian Simpson The Kaikoura Earthquake has been an unwelcome reminder of the sheer power and unpredictability of geological forces and of New Zealand’s vulnerability to these. The earthquake has also highlighted yet again the resilience of New Zealanders in the face of natural disaster. At EQC, it’s also reminded us that every natural disaster affects communities in different ways. So while we have learned a number of lessons from Canterbury 2010-2011, our response to the Kaikoura Earthquakes will be different. One of the key things we learned from Canterbury is that we should have put more time early on into building relationships with customers, community groups, local Courtesy of Tonkin + Taylor Don’t wait to hear from EQC – lodge your claim Most people seen by EQC in the first weeks since the Kaikoura Earthquake of 14 November have wanted help lodging their claims and advice on how to get emergency repairs underway to get them back into their homes. EQC Customer and Claims General Manager Trish Keith says that having organised three teams on rotation into the most impacted areas of Ward, Waiau and Kaikoura to help lodge claims, provide information and answer EQC-related questions, EQC is being kept up to date on customer needs. “One of the lessons out of Canterbury was that people wanted information and the opportunity to talk to someone about their issues as soon as they could after an event, so we have ensured that our response to Kaikoura includes personal contact,” Mrs Keith says. “The teams have been dealing with hundreds of customers one-on-one. Many people have been asking EQC when someone from EQC will visit them, so they will know what to do next. My advice is that they go ahead and lodge the claim first. Don’t wait for anyone to visit. “Go ahead and lodge your claim to ensure you are in the system, and any earthquake damage found later can be added. If you fail to lodge a claim before 14 February 2017, we won’t be able to help you so best to lodge the government, and government agencies and insurers. We are heeding that lesson as we plan our response to Kaikoura. We’ve had staff on the ground in Kaikoura, Ward and Waiau to help customers lodge their claims and answer EQC related questions. The information our people are picking up from those areas is being fed back into our planning. The work we are doing now will mean that in 2017 we will be putting in place the team we need to deliver a response tailored to the needs of customers impacted by the Kaikoura Earthquake. This team will be part of the new structure we have developed to also carry on the remaining work in Canterbury in 2017. While we are working very hard on responding to Kaikoura, we also know we have to keep focussed on resolving the final Canterbury claims. I’m stepping down as EQC’s chief executive at the end of this year. I want to thank people of claim,” Mrs Keith says. The next steps about claim assessment and settlement are still the subject of ongoing negotiations with private insurers. EQC is confident it will have news on this soon. EQC has been prioritising the vulnerable and the most damaged homes for visits, as needed. All EQC teams are working out of Recovery Assistance Centres set up by Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management in Ward, Waiau and Kaikoura so Government agencies and non-government agencies could deliver consistently across areas of need. If you have any questions about your existing claim or want to lodge a new claim: • Visit www.eqc.govt.nz/claims • Email info@eqc.govt.nz • Phone 0800 DAMAGE (326 243) The EQC call centre is open 7am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. To prepare for making a claim, remember to have on hand: • Information about what damage occurred • Photographs showing the damage and any urgent work that was done • Your insurance policy number and name of your insurance company. Courtesy of NZ Fire Service Canterbury for the support we have received, and at times for your patience. I acknowledge we didn’t always get everything right but we have learned from that. I also want to acknowledge the EQC staff who worked very hard to support the Canterbury recovery. Looking ahead, it’s clear 2017 will be another year of challenges. I’m confident that EQC will rise to meet those challenges. 2017 changes From later this month, EQC will be the main point of contact for all customer enquiries relating to Canterbury Home Repair Programme (CHRP) repairs. Until now, customers have dealt with EQC and/or Fletcher EQR – depending on what stage their repairs have been at. But, from 16 December, EQC’s 0800 number (0800 326 243) will be the main number for all customers – including those whose properties are in the current sub-floor review, who will be transferred to the Fletcher EQR staff focussing on that work. No delays are intended or anticipated, but personnel changes due to the completion of about 68,400 first-time CHRP repairs may mean some customers will have a different contact person at EQC or EQR in 2017. EQC’s General Manager Customer and Claims Trish Keith says these customers will be advised of any changes and provided with new contact details. “We don’t want customers who currently have a contact person at EQC or EQR calling us and only then finding out that someone else is looking after their claim.” She says any changes will be limited to EQC and EQR personnel, and repair work will be carried out by contractors that have already worked for the home repair programme and are familiar with EQC’s systems and quality expectations. Most CHRP contractors will finish work for the year on 23 December and resume work from 9 January. EQC’s Contact Centre hours will be: • Friday 23 December: 7am-5pm • Saturday 24 December – Tuesday 27 December: CLOSED • Wednesday 28 December – Friday 30 December: 8am-5pm • Saturday 31 December – Tuesday 3 January: CLOSED • Normal hours will resume on Wednesday 4 January (7am-9pm Monday-Friday; 8am-6pm Saturday) EQC in the community EQC staff members will be available to answer your questions and talk about claims at the following Recovery Assistance Centres. • KAIKOURA 8.30am-5pm, 7 days, Sacred Heart Parish Hall • WAIAU 11am-2pm, Monday 12 December, Waiau Hall • WELLINGTON 10am-5pm, Monday-Friday Public Trust Building, 131-135 Lambton Quay Positive response to February 2016 settlement process 90 percent of claims from the February 2016 earthquakes have been settled. EQC’s February 2016 Event Response Manager, Jayne Lapin, says of the 13,879 claims received for the 14 and 29 February earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks, EQC has resolved 12,440 (90 percent) by cash settlement worth a total value of $46,039,854 “Customers have appreciated the approach we have developed and implemented in response to the February earthquakes.” The new approach uses both on-site and phonebased assessments, and allows customers to influence the pace of settlement by giving them the opportunity to provide earthquake damage data and photographic evidence. Thanks to a robust period of planning in advance and with customers providing information up front, claims have taken an average of three weeks to reach settlement from assessment. Customers who have been through the process have been surveyed and nearly 90 percent of those who have taken part have been positive about their experience. Ms Lapin says EQC had hoped to resolve all February 2016 claims by the end of the year but it has suited some customers to defer their assessment to 2017, meaning a small number remain open and will be closed early next year. Land settlements update Almost all land claims will be resolved by the end of the year but there will be some customers who will get their settlement in 2017. At the end of December 2016, out of a total of approximately 73,000 green zone properties we expect to have resolved 97% of them. This means we have either made payments to customers or advised them that they don’t qualify for the types of land damage known as Increased Flooding Vulnerability (IFV) and/or Increased Liquefaction Vulnerability (ILV). “We’ve been working to get an answer to all land customers waiting to hear from us this year. While we have worked hard to ensure that customers have received their land settlement, we are conscious that some are still waiting”, says EQC’s Head of Customer and Claims Trish Keith. “These are the last of the most complex claims that we need to settle and we will do our best to continue to deliver robust settlements which can give homeowners confidence that all properties have been assessed fairly and consistently”, says Mrs Keith. “Looking back on the year, we would also like the opportunity to thank all land customers, community groups and many other stakeholders, who are also supporting our customers, for their patience and understanding as well as taking the time to come to our community meetings on land settlements or hosting us and providing us with their feedback”, concludes Mrs Keith. The EQC website remains a good source of information for land customers who want to find out more about IFV and ILV land damage, which are a world-first. Please visit www.eqc.govt.nz/IFV or www. eqc.govt.nz/ILV. CONTACT EQC AT 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243) OR VISIT WWW.EQC.GOVT.NZ
NOR’WEST NEWS Tuesday December 13 2016 17 Design A Christmas Card With 3D Printed Stencils Tuesday, 3.30-4.30pm Make Christmas cards with a difference. A 3D printer will print out stencils for the children to design and make their own Christmas cards. With the help of library staff, create an interesting and fun card design. Caregivers are required for children under 10-years-old but no bookings required for this event. Shirley Library, 36 Marshland Rd Science Alive At The Library Wednesday, 3.30-4.30pm These are fun drop-in sessions to interest school-aged children in science and the things happening in the world around them. Find some interesting science-related books while at the library to take home and read. Fendalton Library, 4 Jeffreys Rd. Free entry Knit ‘n’ Yarn Thursday, 2-3.30pm Take your knitting hobby to the library. This is a way of enjoying your craft in a social atmosphere. Share your skills and tricks with other knitters or learn something new from other people while you’re there. This is a weekly group but there is no obligation to attend every session. Fendalton Library, 4 Jeffreys Rd. Free entry Christmas Craft And Card Making Thursday, 3.30-4.30pm Get crafty at the library in preparation for Christmas. Make some festive cards to send to friends and family this silly season, work with other people, share ideas and pick up some crafty tips from others while letting your creativity run wild. Redwood Library, 339 Main North Rd. Free entry Summertime Reading Club For Kids Opens Friday Need some books for the summer school holidays? Pick up some books along with a Passport to Summer. Each page has fun reading-related activities to complete. After you finish the challenges on each page, stop in at a library to collect a stamp in your passport. Once you’ve completed eight activities and collected five stamps in total, get your passport checked by a librarian to enter the draw to win some prizes, including an iPad mini 2, Orana Park family pass, pool passes, movie passes and book vouchers. Any Christchurch City Library branch. Free entry CHRISTMAS FUN: The Christchurch Chinese Church will once again bring Christmas to Bryndwr. Events and games will start at 6pm on Saturday. There will be sausage sizzles, candy floss, popcorn, and snow-cones to enjoy. A children’s zone will keep the little ones entertained, with two bouncy castles, games and colouring-in activities. From 7pm there will be Christmas carols, a Christmas drama and presents for children. At 8pm there will be a supper to finish off the evening. The event is happening at the Chinese Church Service Centre, 286 Greers Rd. This is a free event with something for the whole family to enjoy. Christmas With Impact Friday, 3pm and 7pm There will be two 90-minute shows full of well-known Christmas songs performed by the talented children at Impact Company Kids. The show will include some popular songs while the children dance along. It will be a performance for the whole family to enjoy. Sing along to the songs and watch the talented children perform. There will only be two shows. Phone 357 1137 for more information and tickets. Group discounts are available. Aurora Centre for the Performing Arts, Burnside High School Laughter Club Sunday, 11am-noon End the week with a laugh. There aren’t any jokes or funny stories at the laughter club, instead it’s a chance to laugh at nothing and relax with other people. There will be exercises throughout the session to focus on breathing and stretching. Scottish Society Hall, cnr of Edgeware and Caledonian Rds, St Albans. Entry $2 PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE!! plus 18 months interest free Purchase over $999, T&C apply. don't miss out “order now for free delivery before christmas” MY MATES PHIL & DAN PHIL DAN PHIL & DAN’S FURNITURE WAREHOUSE MORE GREAT DEALS INSTORE!! 15a Bishopdale Mall • Ph. (03) 359 1663 www.furniturewarehouse.co.nz • philanddansfurn@gmail.com DON’T WAIT WE HAVE IT IN STOCK! Terms and conditions apply. Promotion available at Christchurch store only. Q Card lending criteria, fees, terms & conditions apply, see in store for details. GE Creditline & Gem Visa are provided by * GE Finance & Insurance. Min. purchase for hire purchase $500. All applications are subject to normal credit & lending criteria. Application &/or annual account fee may apply. Prevailing interest rate may apply to any balance outstanding on expiry of the interest free start-up period. Please note: Proof of address and photo ID required.
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Nor'West News: December 13, 2016

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