Christchurch caravan - a year on

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Christchurch caravan - a year on

3News NZ

A year ago we introduced our caravan of complaint to Christchurch.

It was an opportunity for people to talk freely about their struggles dealing with the aftermath of the quakes.

Hundreds turned up, almost all speaking with a passion rarely seen on TV, and a lot of them talking about EQC.

But a year on, how are they doing?

Have those charged with addressing their concerns listened and acted?

Tonight, we catch up with four families.

They tell us there are others in Christchurch with much greater problems, but all are struggling and still searching for answers.

After each case, we asked EQC to explain what they are doing to help.

Watch the story by Tristram Clayton.

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Comments

29/06/2012 8:59:12 p.m.

Neroli wrote:

We are living in a house with plywood on all exterior walls, and 21 broken windows - most of which are also covered with plywood. Baciscally a 'plywood cave'. Freezing cold and draughty when the wind blows. EQC are moving at a snails pace and we have just waited over 6 months for an engineer's report from OPUS, which EQC have finally received, but they will not provide us with a copy.
We are frustrated and upset at what we see as unnecessary delays which have forced us to live in our plywood cave for another winter. At the rate things are moving, we will still be in our broken house next winter.
We battled EQC for 4 months just to get a replacement woodshed, so we could keep our firewood dry for the winter. EQC refused to let us have a heat pump, despite the inability of our wood burner to heat our now draughty plywood cave adequately.
EQC is dysfunctional and under resourced. No-one makes decisions. I wonder what EQC staff do all day! You cannot get an answer from them - they do not even reply to formal complaints any more (and I have made a few, believe me)!
Fletchers EQR are no better. Understaffed and badly managed - unable to cope adequately with the work load. And they tell me we are in the top 20% priority to be fixed - I feel for those who are further down the list, as we can see no progress.

19/06/2012 2:18:41 p.m.

Carl Roberts wrote:

It really saddens me to read that so many others are in the same situation, paying mortgage, rates and insurance on a property that is uninhabitable, (in my case demolished awaiting rebuild, insurance has given the go ahead, awaiting EQC to release a report they have in their posession) then we are having to pay rent and insurance on a rental property which on one wage and an 8 moth pregnant wife is un-sustainable, while EQC continually stalls processes and delays information that could inevitably get our lives back on track. I place a verbal complaint to have no contact, then I sent an email and was told that they will take up to three weeks to contact me, totalling six weeks, is that fair?
James Bonds comment is narrow minded, come live her in these conditions and see for yourself first hand what we have endured, yes you do have a point and the story only covered a few cases, (I was overlooked for an interview after being phoned)however everyone in NZ that pays insurance and a levy to EQC is entitled to claim when they meet the criteria. I dont like to complain but it appears that the squeaky wheel gets oil with the help of the media, how is it they get a spokes person immediately but we get nothing? Should I say I am from the media to actually get some face to face contact happening?
Extra anxiety, stress and mental health issues could be avoided with strategically planed contact from EQC to their clients that are in the most dire of circumstances.

17/06/2012 4:22:05 p.m.

berry wrote:

We still have black plastic instead of a brick wall, with the temperature going down in the negatives trying to keep 3 kids under 4 years warm. We have had all the superficial stuff covered up with a patch job. When it came to the brick work where the foundations are damaged the brick layers went back to eqc saying they couldn't just patch it up. Now we are still waiting for the work to be done cause they couldn't get away with just adding bricks to where the house has dropped. Doesn't make me confident with the quality of work. They avoid fixing where the bricks have moved too and just cover it up with mortar. So much for putting it back to the way it was. That's what happens when fletchers take most the money for themselves and don't pay the contractors enough. Cowboys doing the work.

16/06/2012 7:05:01 a.m.

Nandee wrote:

Some of the 'Real' stories won't come out till claims are settled, because of the fare of jeopardizing ones claim in the present. And the personal costs to people financially and health wise too. I am living in fare of going broke daily as I pay rent and a huge power bill I can't afford, money I did not have going out before Feb 22. Plus rates and insurance to a house and contents ready for demolishion. While I wait for Cerras report on my land so my insurance comp can then, put me on their list to be seen to. I'm not even on the dam list yet for crying out loud! And I'm COLD, really really cold. I hope J Key starts to listen soon to the right people.

15/06/2012 10:16:50 p.m.

Damon wrote:

Fobbed off again.EQC say one thing my insurance another. Who do we turn too now?????????????????

15/06/2012 7:30:20 p.m.

Megan wrote:

Strange that the couples house has been yellow stickered, but deemed not to be earthquake damaged by EQC??? can't have it both ways can they?

15/06/2012 6:23:19 p.m.

james bond wrote:

I am disgusted by some peoples selfishness, they merely have a few puddles outside there house or a little crack in their plasterboard like shown in 15/06 3 news and they want the country to buy them a new house? Its amazing in this world of easy information of the poor, even in the northland where I live where people are living in moldy old houses. Get a grip on reality christchurch. I am sure you aren't all so selfish and some in real trouble, but the news tonight seems to be clutching at pity.

15/06/2012 4:42:06 p.m.

PAULA WILKINSON wrote:

I'm so pleased that Campbell Live followed up on these stories. It appears that very little has happened. The head of the EQC sounds like the head of STATE INSURANCE - always apologizing. Makes you wonder when they will start actually DOING SOMETHING to get it right. People shouldn't be living like this.

15/06/2012 4:31:00 p.m.

Warren wrote:

I watched this video and sadly am in the same position. Absolutely nothing has happened since the Feb quake. I have a red sticker on the house (which means there is a $10,000 fine if I enter) - so I'm still paying a mortgage on it, rates on it, insurance on it, plus having to pay rent. I'm with State Insurance and they have finally said my house is a rebuild, but I've yet to see the scope or get a date, or my options. Everything is going at a snail's pace. I thought CERA were brought in to coordinate the recovery, but they only care about the financial recovery. The 'powers that be' are an absolute disgrace.

15/06/2012 4:26:40 p.m.

Heather wrote:

I know that these stories are only the tip of the iceberg. It's so sad that these residents had to approach Campbell Live in order for anything to happen. People in the rest of NZ must be getting sick of hearing the complaints, but if residents DON'T go to the media, literally nothing happens. EQC is an absolute joke and insurers are enjoying using them as an excuse for not paying out. How much longer is the Govt going to DO NOTHING?