26 June 2024

Canterbury Homeowner Advisory Group meeting minutes

Present

  • Tom McBrearty (Chair)
  • Daniel Langford
  • Dean Lester
  • Phillipa Moore

In attendance

  • Bernadette McDougall (EQC Toka Tū Ake)
  • Darren Wright (Director, NZCRS)
  • Susan Rolton (Team Leader Support, NZCRS)
  • Nik Behrens (Manager Case Resolution, NZCRS)

Apologies

  • Linda Ngata
  • Pip Andrews (EQC Toka Tū Ake)
  • Kirsty Hamilton (Principal Advisor, NZCRS)

Meeting administration

Conflicts of interest

No new conflicts of interest were declared.

Minutes and actions

The minutes were taken as read and updates provided on the outstanding actions.

EQC Toka Tū Ake – Update

Canterbury Claims

  1. An update on the cases that are on sold but not in the Treasury programme was provided to the group. Of 761 claims 20 are open with 5 of those opening recently. Timeframes varied depending on complexity, with 80% settled and closed within 6 months of coming into the team.
  2. For CES claims, there are 576 open claims, with 88 aged over 12 months. Also 374 in the inquiry phase, of which 75% will result in an open claim.
  3. The group were advised of the investigation outcome on the discrepancy between NZCRS/EQC Toka Tū Ake data on the number of claims open for 2 years or more. NZCRS and EQC Toka Tū Ake agree the discrepancy is because of the different reporting approaches taken.

In On-Sold Programme Update

  1. An update on Treasury on-sold claims was provided to the group with 675 active claims and 5,303 closed to date.
  2. The group discussed the complaints/dispute resolution process for on-sold owners with EQC Toka Tū Ake advising it is the same process as for owners that are under cap.

NZCRS

NZCRS Operational Update

  1. The group were advised the June quarterly directors report to be emailed once complete.
  2. The Director noted the demand for services is trending downwards; pleasing to see more Canterbury cases were closed than opened.
  3. The Director provided an update on the operational changes taking place within the team. The Group commended NZCRS on the efficiency and adaptability of the team in this changing environment.
  4. An update on the number of claims represented at Canterbury Earthquake Tribunal was provided to the Group, with 5 owners currently supported. One case concerns a limitations issue which will be of interest to the group when a decision is made.

Quality Management System

  1. The Director presented NZCRS Quality Assurance model and his intent to share this with EQC Toka Tū Ake. Discussion followed within the group on whether EQC Toka Tū Ake are pursuing ISO certification.

CHOAG

General business

  1. EQC Toka Tū Ake provided an update on website review with the implementation of Natural Hazards Insurance Act 2023 (NHI). The group discussed these changes, and advertising platforms used to communicate this.
  2. The group recommended, in addition to NHI changes, that EQC Toka Tū Ake consider providing advertising information on Trade-me about what potential buyers should be looking for when purchasing a home given this is where many property purchasers would browse.
  3. The Chair advised EQC Toka Tū Ake have retracted notification to NZCRS to stop supporting on-sold homeowners not in the Treasury Programme and are working with EQC Toka Tū Ake to resolve these claims.

Next meeting

19th September 2024

Meeting closed: 11.24am